Big Blondie

I am considering opening a Home Health or Hospice. Anyone who has done so have any tips.. I am in Texas, but would like to hear what others thoughts and experience has been.

I ended up a Board order the second time due to companies have to report. It was confidential. You aren't the first two time offender. You can make it through this. You got it. Don't look back, don't beat yourself up. You are human. We make mistakes.

I am a 2 time graduate of TPAPN. 2 years the first time and 5 years monitoring 18 years after the first time. Honestly, I needed it both times. I am now 12 years clean and life is good! I self reported both times after getting confronted by my job. I made it both times. The 5 year monitoring is exactly what I needed to stay clean. It is not the end of the world, but the beginning of what it takes to stay clean and keep my nursing license, and have a better life. I know the pain I felt both times. The second time I was sick and dope sick. Man, I love life without the worry of using, getting caught, the lying, stealing and emotional baggage I was experiencing. Just do what you have to do. If I had been discovered earlier, I wouldn't have had to suffer so long. It is a blessing in disguise. Just do what you have to do to get enrolled in monitoring and show the Board you are serious about recovery. Good luck! Stay on the forum. It can help you through the rough days.

Telemedicine, phone triage, casemanager, infection control nurse, QA nurse, Drug or sales rep. Good luck!

Texas RN 5 years, LVN 3 years for monitoring. I worked home health in TPAPN in 1995, it was 2 years back then. I was the first nurse they ever let work home health in Texas. I had to see my nurse manager face to face daily. She didn't have to sign a daily log though. If you have questions, call and ask to talk to intake. I really never saw the Case mangers as the enemy. I've been through monitoring twice, and never once felt that they were trying to deceive me. They helped me. It is a peer assistance program and I saw them as a peer. I've been out since 2018, (5 year program). Things may have changed, but they are aware how hard it can be to secure employment in monitoring. I know everyone hasn't had the same experience. I was so grateful that I was allowed to continue in my career. I also went through the I'll just leave nursing phase when I first got caught. When the dust settled I immediately self reported both times to get the clock ticking. It took the Board 18 months to contact me once reported. I already had 18 months in recovery and TPAPN behind me by that time. Every job I applied for during both times in TPAPN I was hired. TPAPN rules are not the law, and they can be bent. If you don't agree with what the Case manager says, then ask for your case to be staffed, the team will meet and discuss it. They did it for me on several occasions. You got this!

It took 18 months for the BNE to notify me that I had been reported. Luckily I had self reported and had 18 months of monitoring under my belt on a 5 year contract by the time they got around to me.

I disagree to working at a reduced rate. You are a valuable member of the team and your expertise does not come at a reduced rate because of accommodations. I didn't read all the posts, but many diagnosis are protected through the ADA. You will get a job. There are thousands who have gone before you and done it. Sell your skill, yourself, what you will contribute. Don't sell yourself as half off due to monitoring. Most companies have a salary range for RNs that doesn't include reducing their pay because of accommodations. This could land them in hot water later by being accused of discrimination, and asking them to do so is asking them to do something shady prior to even being hired. Good luck!

Not sure how old this is, but I know of a CRNA who was in my group and he was able to work at an outpatient endo unit. He was blackballed by a former DON who blocked him getting hired at a couple of places. Don't give up. I am a NP and was able to continue practice with full scope of practice. It did take some negotiation with the monitor from my state. These programs are designed to assist us to safe practice. Not to destroy our careers. Many Providers including physicians are in recovery. Find a recovery group for professionals and network. You will find a job. Keep plugging, don't settle to return to basic nursing practice. You are an Advanced Practice Nurse, that is where you belong.

It took the Texas Board 18 months to contact me. I enrolled in TPAPN, self reported the day after being confronted by my employer. The Board ordered me to TPAPN. Do not waste time. Self-report so you have proven clean time prior to Board intervention. I am a two time graduate of TPAPN. Both times I self reported. Let me tell you, TPAPN saved my career and my life. 12 years clean now. You got this!

Well, you can do one of two things, move on and don't look back, or work with Legislatures to stop this ridiculous money grab on nurses that don't have a substance abuse or mental health diagnosis that is a risk to public safety. I'm a two time graduate of my states assistance program. I honestly needed a program that kept me accountable and I got what I needed from it. I encourage nurses to challenge the Board and the assistance program when they are being wronged. In my state it is called a peer assistance program, and that is exactly what it should be. Not a punitive, we got you where we want you program. The costs involved, and not just financially, should not outweigh the benefit of the program. I am thankful that I was allowed to participate and keep my license even though I clearly was a risk to public safety both times I was allowed to enter the program. It is clear that is not the case for all that are railroaded into monitoring. I hope that more nurses will step up and stand up for people like you who are forced into a program that is not one size fits all. Congratulations! whew!

11 years clean. Still having using dreams. More like nightmares. Also dreaming about being at work at the hospital for a 12 hour shift and I don't know where my patients are, or their rooms, being at work the entire shift looking for my patients, knowing I haven't passed any meds, or checked on them at all and trying to figure out how I am going to chart anything, I worked ICU for so many years prior to becoming an NP. I haven't worked as a staff nurse since the 90's, but I still have these recurring dreams. Anyone else having crazy dreams like this?

Tested multiple times during monitoring over the years in TPAPN and had no problem finding a site in the US.

Two time graduate of TPAPN here. Last in 2018. I would ask if this is customary for others in my situation. I would also ask to have the question posed to the staff. They call it staffing the question, where the group of case managers and the Head of TPAPN would discuss it. I had several things staffed both times I was in TPAPN. Many of the rules at the time were inhibiting my ability to practice as a Nurse/NP. After staffing many of the rules were bent. I felt confident in my requests with strong convictions about the handling of my case. The case Manager is there to help me and TPAPN is there to assist me in my safe return to practice. If you have demonstrated good recovery, then they may be more prone to assist you. Good luck!

I am a NP and was not reported to the data bank. I was worried at the time, but it didn't happen. I know of a CRNA who eventually got a job at a GI surgery center. Good luck.

Well, its been many years, but I had two non-negative tests that were due to dilute urine. They increased my testing and sent me a "disconnect notice" if it continued to happen. It never happend again, and I did complete a 2 year and a 5 year program with honors. LOL. Sorry, it is just so ridiculous what these programs put you through. If there is no sign of drugs in the urine, then people it is a clean urine. I have been clean since 10/13/2013. I definitely needed Peer assistance, and was happy I didn't lose my license. Just try and not drink a lot of fluids prior to testing. It won't be forever. You got this!