NVirginia

I am so sorry you are going through this. Certainly doesn't help with you depression I'm sure. We have very similar cases. In my situation my attorney told me the same thing. Voluntarily go in to HPMP and it will look good to the board. I didn't do it. And I'm glad I didn't because it took the board 4 months to hear my case, and you don't get "time served" when it comes to the HPMP and the board. You will still do the another 5 years after they make their decision. So better off to wait. Yes, maybe it looks good but your right, the added stress would be phenomenal and for what? You would have to have a work place monitor, no afternoon or night shifts and no narcotic administration . Daily check-in's, waiting in the lab to test. Sometimes for an hour or more. And your not a drug addict. You have depression. How dare they make you feel like an addict. I would think going to counselling might look good and be beneficial to you. I hope I'm not steering you wrong, but I don't see the advantage in going to HPMP right now. They are nothing but a money maker. This will pass I promise you. I know it seems dreadful, but you are not alone. No matter what happens you will get through it. Don't be ashamed, and try to stay strong. I'm sure you are an awesome nurse, that's why it hurts you to quit. Remember if you decide to give it up, nursing that is, it will only be harder down the road. Good -luck, and please let me know if you need an ear to vent.

Hi Nurseniki77 , First let me put your mind at ease, that you will get through this, so please don't give up. I got through my five years in (they actually keep you in longer, until they meet with the board which is quarterly. More money in their pocket) September. I don't think they would have even rememvered if I hadn't reminded them. Incredibly unorganized. But thank-you for asking. Now I'm assuming you are new to HPMP. If that's true let me give you a little advice my IOP intake nurse ( also a recovering addict) gave me . Stay off their radar. By that I mean, don't call them unless completely necessary. Alway get your forms in on time. I find that they don't really read them anyway just checking their own boxes. Iv'e heard they are very short staffed at HPMP. Don't give them a reason to remember you. And if you're doing the right thing you can only succeed. In my case they started testing even more frequent at the end. Even an unannounced hair test, which they are supposed to inform you, but in my case a complete surprise. Almost $300.00 and half a day work missed. This was after a dilute urine. One dilute urine. I was furious because I feel they expect us to be very responsible, understandibly, but they should follow their own rules as well. I called the director just to find out if this was common practice, anonymously, and of course he said no. Wanted to know my case manager's name but I didn't give it. Just took the lumps and got through it. That's when I joined this blog site. To vent mostly, and learn from others. So please reach out if you have questions. So many nurse's fail this program. Don't be one of them. It's doable. And you are getting a second chance, take it! Please let me know if you need support. I will help in any way I can. Us nurses gotta stick together. Good luck from one Nikki to another :)

So I wrote a few months ago about the difficulties I was having with just getting some straight info about the whole HPMP completion process, and now I am finally at the finish line. Or so I thought. Just a heads up for those of you in the program, your completion date on your contract is just an "expected" date. My contract was to end on the 13th of the month but I had nothing in writing so I kept checking in, and continued to call my case manager. Now I have had no relapse, no suspicious activity and have maintained the same office job for over the five years, thankfully. But I was told by HPMP that you still have to wait for the meeting they have with the board, then the letter they send out from the board saying you are done. So, basically another month or so. So don't think your check-in's are done on your completion date. Even if you've been a stellar participant. They are going to squeeze that last little bit of money and time out of you. At this point who care, right? One more hoop. Just wanted to pass that along. Wouldn't want a missed check-in to screw you over.

Yeah I guess that's there plan. How awesome! Make me spend every last penny and inconvenience me just a little more while you can. I know it's part of the game, just frustrating. Thank you for your reply. And good luck to you. It's not easy. If you ever have a question or need to vent, please feel free to message me.

Does anyone have any info about what happens when you complete the hpmp program in Virginia? Im 4 years, 9 months in and really have no idea what happens with my license once I'm done. Seems like I'm being tested more often. Like 3 times in a week. And even a hair test after a dilute urine. My first dilute in years! Oh well. Used to jumping through their hoops. I've called the board, with no answer. And my case manager in Richmond never calls back. Hate making any waves at this point in the game. Hoping someone knows something. Thanks for any info.

Reaching out to anyone who has been through the Virginia HPMP program. I am 4 years 9 months in with no relapse's and full compliance and all of a sudden I am being hit with very frequent testing. By very frequent I mean 3 tests in 5 days, and a hair test! I have called my case manager, with no return call of course, and just wondering if this is typical when you get close to the end. I hate to make waves this far into the program. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank -You