willow14

Hi StacyLynnRN, I finished the program in WI about 1.5 years ago & based on the hospitals you are describing, have a feeling you & I live in the same area of WI. I was able to find employment doing case management during my PAP. I also did some PRN flu shot clinics. I wonder if you'd be about to give Covid vaccines? I used to see job postings for that but maybe the positions are all taken. You may have already explored these options, but I wanted to offer those options. Good luck with this journey--you can do this & stay positive!

I am from WI and completed the program in September 2019. I know everything feels like a whirlwind right now, but you can get through this! ? Feel free to pm me or email me at [email protected]. I will answer any questions for you that I can.

This happened to me during the final year of my monitoring program last year. My tests were all through First Lab, so I was able to check my results online after each test. When I saw the results for the hair follicle test as "flawed", I was terrified...I was absolutely clean & was very cautious about ingesting ANYTHING that would cause a false positive. I called First Lab to ask was "Flawed" meant and was told there was an issue with how my sample was collected. Apparently the lab tech didn't cut my hair close enough to my scalp, so the same didn't include enough hair 'close to the root', so the test was Flawed. I was encouraged to contact my monitor, and he was very understanding about it. He contacted First Lab to cancel that test from my record and ordered a new hair follicle test, which I was selected for a few days later. The second test was fine, no issues. If you're able to contact the lab, I'd start there and then f/u with your monitor. If you've already done that & you know it's already going to the BON, I'm not sure what will happen, but if I were you, I'd like to know WHY the test is flawed, as lab mistakes DO happen. Hopefully this helps some & good luck. Keep us posted.

Congratulations!!!!!!

Congratulations!

Congrats....enjoy your freedom & the extra $ in your pocket from NO MORE drug tests!?

Yep, the cost of these programs are insane! I fortunately didn't have to do inpatient treatment, but had to see an AODA counselor 2x month for the first year, which then dropped to 1x year and eventually discontinued. I had insurance but that only went so far. I recently completed my program and estimated the cost of the drug test (both urine & hair) cost me $12,000.....it wasn't pretty, but I managed to get through it. (Of course my credit took a dive & I have absolutely NO savings left, etc...) But now that I think of it, I probably spent even MORE than the 12 grand because I forgot to factor in what I spent on the counseling....geez....whatever. Just so glad to be f__ing done. ANYWAYS, I digress, sorry, but just know that I feel your pain & COMPLETELY understand your frustration and don't blame you for venting at all.

I second what Spanked said about seeing if legal counsel would help get you out of monitoring, and I'm also sorry that there ended up being 'more to the story'. It might be a silly question, but if you already have your contract, why do still need to go to a settlement conference? (Pardon if I'm being naive here). Anyways, as many others have said who have gone through monitoring (or are are still going through monitoring) IT IS DOABLE. I endured 5 years of it and yes the inconvenience, stress and cost of it all sucked, but you can do it! I realize how unfair it is for you to have you do it in the first place (after 3+ years of sobriety already), but I have a feeling they might not be taking your clean time seriously because it "wasn't on their watch"...if you catch my drift. They're probably making you do monitoring to PROVE you truly are sober and not "just saying so", which isn't fair, but none of these programs are. Hopefully legal counsel can help, but if not, just take a deep breath and take it one day at time. Make sure you know what you can & cannot take to try to avoid false positives....that's really all that you can do. Good luck & I'm rooting for you!

I've been following your story here, hoping for the best for you. Congrats!

So Happy for You! I just completed my program a few weeks ago, so I know how "free" you must feel. Enjoy your life and congrats!!!!!!!

OMG!!!! That is insane!!!! Btw, I was thinking about you the other day, Still RN--wondering how you've been doing ?

Gosh, I don't blame you AT ALL for feeling how you do and tell you I'm sorry this is happening to you! I DO hope that you have an awesome trip!!!

Thank you everyone for your kind words ?

I received my notification today that was released/successfully completed my monitoring program, even had the OFFICIAL letter sent to me from my case worker via email. I'm almost in shock....but SO damn happy, relieved, etc! Today was slated to be my 'actual' date of completion too, which makes it even more bittersweet. I know it will take me a bit to get used to not having to check in daily, read EVERY food label or suffer through a cold without "certain OTCs", but damn....so far it just feels good to know that I AM DONE. For those of you still going through monitoring feeling like you can't do this, it's taking too long, etc...just stay positive and keep trucking along day by day-- you WILL get there. My program was 5 years & I NEVER thought this day would come. Thank you all for your support on this site...I know I wouldn't have gotten through this without It! ?

I'm happy for you too! Now you can relax a little ?

Congratulations!!! I hope to be able to post that I'm 'free at last' soon also, as I have less than 3 weeks to go. SOOO happy for you!

Hey Cats, have you heard anything yet?

Congrats Cats! I'm right behind you with only 26 days to go. You got this!!!

I had a flawed test about a month ago but was for a hair test. I go through First Source Solutions so I called them ask what a flawed test meant. I was told there was an "error" in the specimen collection process, resulting it being "flawed". They were also able to tell me the person who cut my hair didn't cut it close enough to my scalp, so the lab couldn't tell which end of the sample was from my head, so to speak. It was the collection site's error and didn't have anything to do with me. I also let my monitor know and he cancelled test so I didn't have to pay for it ($300!!!!). He also informed me I would have to submit another sample, which I did. I was selected the next week for another hair test. I've been in this program for almost 5 years (less than 50 days to go) and that's the only flawed I've had....not sure about other's experiences. Try calling the lab...maybe they'll tell you what happened. I know it's scary, but try not to get too stressed out. This too will pass...just like everything else in this program.

I'm nearing the end of my contract and was wondering what other's experience have been when it comes to how many tests/how often they have been tested. Here is the background: Last September I was granted a reduction in UDS. I was told I would be tested "not less than 14 UDS and 1 hair test" in the final year of my contract. As of today, I have submitted 13 UDS, so I technically have only 1 UDS and 1 hair test left...however, my contract isn't up until a few days into September. When I look back and count how many tests (both UDS and hair) I was required to do during my contract in the beginning and after each reduction, I was never required to submit more tests than required. Example: my first year was "not less than 49 UDS" per my contract, so I submitted exactly 49 UDS. The next year I was ordered to submit " no less than 36 UDS and 1 hair test", and I submitted exactly that amount.....you get my drift. So here I sit, less than 100 days to go from completing my contract and I have submitted all but 1 UDS and 1 hair screen shy of my "requirement". I've ALWAYS had to submit a UDS monthly....maybe 6 weeks is the longest I've gone. I doubt I'd be allowed to go 2 months without needing to submit a UDS, but who knows?? I wanted to know what other's have experienced towards the end if their contract? Did the frequency increase--just cause it could--or did the frequency remain in allignment of what the contract stated? Btw, ALL of my tests have been negative, and I'm not asking this to find out if I can drink/use & "get away with it". I'm asking because IF my testing is increased, I'm tempted to ask my lliasion about it because I don't want to pay ANY MORE than I HAVE to in this program. However, if I do have to submit extra tests and I DO say something, I don't want to "draw any attention to myself" and jeopardize my contract ending when it's supposed too. I've done well just doing what has been asked of me and just laying low so far... I don't want to screw anything up with being so close to end, but don't want to be a doormat either. I'm kind of tired of playing that role in this program. Thanks everyone.

Congrats Cats! 118 days here for me. Looking forward to hitting the double-digit mark in a couple weeks myself. We just gotta hang in there!

Hey StillRN, do you still have the same one?

I'm on my 3rd one...no notification when any of the changes took place. Seems to be a running theme in these programs. As far as your question of will any of your "served time be lost" when your monitors have changed,I wouldn't worry about that. The dates listed on your signed contract is what ALL your monitors should abide by. They can't just change your required length of time whenever they want...atleast I wouldn't think so. You're lucky if you have a chance for early release. We aren't that lucky in my state. Good luck! L

I am in a monitoring program in WI on a 5 year contract. Like many others have said, most contracts state the frequency of UDS per year. I was ordered to test "not less than 49 times" my first year, and boy, that was freaking expensive!!!! It averaged about 4 years per month----PLUS I had to do a hair test annually, which is around $300 a crack! I wasn't even working as a nurse for the first year of my contract because 1) I was at first advised "not to" by my "required" AODA counselor and 2) when I was cleared to return to nursing, NO ONE would hire me..... I also learned after a year in that I 'could have' asked for a reduced amount of screens at the beginning because I wasn't working as a nurse.....that was SUPER frustrating to find out. Anyhow... With time & adherence to the program I have been able to ask for a decrease in my screens and they were all granted. I am now into my final year of my 5 year contract and am now only required to test 14 per year, plus an annual hair test. This has just been my experience. I know it's SO hard to wrap your head around ANY of this in the beginning, but know that this is Doable, despite the expense and frustration. Hang in there. READ your contract THOROUGHLY so you know what's expected of you. Stay under the radar, do what you need to get through this. I Know it sucks, but it is what it is, if you want to keep your license. This site has a lot of support and has really helped me get through this. Good luck to you!