Question for IPN Nurse's in Florida

catmom1, BSN, RN · Aug 15, 2014

Dear SP-

I know this is freaking you out. My first UDS was slightly dilute and the MRO called to ask if I had been taking Lasix or something (I hadn't). It all worked out in the end but it cost me another $35 to learn I shouldn't drink a bottle of iced tea on my way to the testing site (which is what caused the slight dilution).

Anyway, my observation is that it is likely that your new MRO will agree with your specialist. Who knows? Maybe the new MRO is trying to let everyone know that "there's a new sheriff in town" I picture the MRO as a male who is getting into a "pi--ing contest" with another doc or marking his new territory.

If the matter ends up not being dropped, you may have to invest in a lawyer so you can avoid the expense and potential risk of another addiction evaluation.

Maybe you and the other nurses with similar issues can pool your money to hire the lawyer, assuming their cases are very similar to yours.

I am sorry you are going through this but I know you will be okay in the end because your recovery is in place, regardless of what the bureaucrats decide to do.

Let us know how it goes. I am rooting for you.

Catmom :paw:

SouthernPoint · Aug 16, 2014

Dear SP-
I know this is freaking you out.
Catmom :paw:

Nope. Not one bit, honestly. I am more like *** at this point and so over it all. I went into IPN with years of documentation from my Specialist over my condition. IPN wrote this into my contract. Everything has been totally ok with IPN and the previous MRO. They all accepted my Speicalist DX/Reasoning for my condition. Only one time can I remember that there was an issue and it was when my caseworker went on a vacation. The stand in caseworker didn't know anything about me or my situation and did the whole. "You have to refrain from working & go have an evaluation". I just spoke with the person who is in charge of the UDS and they help clear everything up. I was out of work for a day. Not a biggie.

Now this NEW MRO comes along and he just walk into IPN and flips over the apple cart. Like WTH. I am so over pompous arrogant people right now. I do totally understand why some have to be like that. But when you have documentation that goes back 20+ years and it has always been ok and accepted. Who is this MRO to tell me "It is up to my discretion, if I want to accept it or not". Seriously? He is going to tell my specialist he has no clue what he is talking about. I so would love to be a fly on that wall that day.

Anyways, I honestly and not keeping my fingers crossed for anything positive right now. It is going to be what this new MRO wants it to be and there is not much I can really do about it. Do I think he'll be ok with all the documentation that IPN has been given over time. Nope not at all. Why, because he is a control freak. One of the nurse's in my group who has been on BP medication for years. She is now being board referred. Why, because according to this MRO, a BP medication will not cause or act as a diuretic. This nurse has had no issues with IPN and she was 8 months away from the end. So, after seeing and hearing this I have no faith right now. And you know what. I am ok with it.

SP

Twoyearnurse · Aug 16, 2014

Not an easy situation at all, I'm so sorry you are having to deal with all of this. It is not easy dealing with situations in which there is an imbalance of power and it is taken advantage of. All we can do sometimes is just grin and bear it, sit on our hands. I do hope things work out well, and if they don't work out to your liking I hope you get the strength to bear it. This can be a very humiliating process. I feel for you.

shugamomma · Apr 16, 2015

I am also having a difficult time with the MRO. I thank you for posting. I thought I was the only one. It helps knowing I am not alone.

jk2679 · Apr 17, 2015

Can anyone tell me if they have finished a contract with IPN successfully? Or if they are in IPN and have had little/no problems adhering to the "rules" of their contract.

I mistakenly signed my contract when I should have hired an attorney and fought it instead. But...what's done is done and it's time to move on.

I'm concerned about the list of medications that are over-the-counter that you cannot take or they may show positive on a drug screening. I'm not going to live for the next five years notifying IPN if I want to take, for example, a benedryl for allergies. That is ridiculous. I've already had to give up medications which would have required yet ANOTHER evaluation and more lost time from my job. (Meanwhile without my ADHD meds I will be bouncing off the walls) Anyway, I would rather just quit now. I was contemplating going to law school anyway, so I'm thinking maybe now is a good time to start applying. (I don't need anyone posting about NOT going to law school...enough of my friends that are attorneys do that already)

I would love to hear from someone who can give me some insight into this big bad monster called IPN. All the posts I read are awfully discouraging. I've had a terrible time just dealing with what goes along with the "self-reporting," so the thought of living with the fear/anxiety of making a mistake over the next 5 years is absolutely daunting.

shugamomma · Apr 17, 2015

I have been in IPN for a little over 2 years.

In my nurse support group only one has "graduated". She had a two year contract, no addiction issue.

One lady dropped out - she needed her meds.

We now have another who will have completed her contract in the next few months. We are waiting to see what new hell could possibly be brought down upon her.

As for myself, saying IPN has been a challenge would be an understatement. My days are consumed with IPN business. At a recent evaluation I was told I was not taking IPN seriously enough. It is all I think about. I do not know why he thought that way. Ugh!!!! It seems like it will never end.

jk2679 · Apr 17, 2015

Thank you for your honesty and willingness to post on here. Now that I've been away from nursing for a little while, I don't have the passion for it like I did before. I'm contemplating walking away before I get sucked in to the headache, constant anxiety/worry, and restrictions/time constraints of being a part of IPN. I'd love to hear more about your experience so I could make a better decision. I don't want to worry if I take a benedryl to help me sleep I'll test positive on a drug screening. Or if I use nail polish remover the fumes will cause me to test positive. That is no way to live. People are talking about stopping the use of hairspray and perfume. That's ridiculous.

Twoyearnurse · Apr 17, 2015

Good morning jk! My state doesn't have an alternative program but I do get the fear associated with false positives for over counters. And my goodness reading your posts is like reading through the firsts months of my recovery. I, too, contemplated packing up nursing and going to law school! And yes, I do believe that a nursing degree would be an interesting pre-requisite for law school. The only problem being is that a law license is also a professional license and if you have issues on one they will surely investigate the new one as well (at least this is the case in my state).

I am am not going to ask what brought you to is (unless you have already disclosed) because it is wise until all is in the open to not post specifics online.

The rest of what I write is going to work off the scenario that you are in early recovery and are overwhelmed by the unknown future.

In the beginning this process is daunting and as hard as it can be because we want to know everything all the time right now...we have to slow down and take it step by step. The process is shell shocking. It's literally one day at a time. Do you have a good support system? People who know you and your situation?

What I will say is that I have been here on these boards for little over a year now and I have seen great success stories of people completing their monitoring contracts. I have also seen many more shouldering the responsibility for their current contract. Their successes seem to be measured by their endurance, patience, tolerance, and acceptance. My favorite of all is their (and my) bravery in taking the situation head on, with head held high.

lmdnaplesfl · Apr 6, 2016

I am rejoining IPN after leaving for three years after a personal tragedy and finding that these evaluations , at least the one I called in Tampa, are requiring this crazy expensive hair test. I'm so discouraged already. I've been sober 6 years and I think his hair testing is barbaric and if they want is to do it at least make it affordable!

RNMOM1213 · Apr 7, 2016

I have recently started my journey with IPN... I'm pretty sure all evaluations will require a hair test. Just a word of advise (I learned the hard way) make sure your evaluation is with an independent doctor. Most of the ones in Tampa own or are associated with a treatment facility. See an evaluator that has no hidden agendas...

lmdnaplesfl · Apr 7, 2016

Thank you!