Refresher Course and TPAPN?

lifeistweet · Jan 20, 2010

Know EXACTLY how you feel. I just went through all of those feelings. Hang in there. Get your scrubs and shoes and keep your head up. You still have great skills they're just buried under a mound of low self esteem and crappy feelings about yourself. You'll be suprised how your skills come back its like ridiing a bike. WARNING! Don't forget your recovery #1. I've seen many go back to work and not have time for meetings and their sponsor etc. and relapse quickly. Recovery is number one. Let us know how you are doing. peace and serenity.

phlox · Jan 20, 2010

Thanks to all of you for responding. This is really helping me. I will answer all of yall as a group instead of individually, hope that is okay.

Ok, I just want understand. It was said that I should contact the BON to see if they would reinstate my license so I could take approved refresher courses (PHES Online). BUT I thought TPAPN was geared towards the idea that if you went through their program, then your drug or achohol abuse or your psychiatric disorder (only certain ones) would not have to be reported to the Texas BON. Do I have to admit to mental illness to get my temporary permit from BON to take refresher classes? Is it okay to practice in the capacity as a student even without TPAPN at this time because I am under the license of a teacher? Don't they have to know since I have not had TPAPN?

Do I have to admit to being Bipolar to the BON if I am going to go through the TPAPN program?

So what is the order of events? I need to take CEUs too. Also take CPR course.

I don't want to screw up. Do I need an attorney?

catmom1, BSN, RN · Jan 21, 2010

Hi Phlox-

When I took my refresher course, I didn't need to take additional CEU's for the 5 years I had been away from nursing. In fact, the refresher course covered me on CEU's for 5 years into the future! However, you need to inquire about this from your own BON.

Often, nurses who have lost their jobs have trouble affording a lawyer so if you can afford one, I would get one. Be sure to get one experienced in administrative law & dealing with the BON. It will put you mind at ease to consult with one who can advise the best route to take to get your license back.

Hold your head high, sweetie, and tell that negative voice in your head that tells you that you are not good enough to SHUT UP! ((((HUGS))))

Catmom :paw:

jackstem · Jan 21, 2010

Thanks morte.
I was not fired or "let go" or asked to quit because of mental illness. I was diagnosed and put on medication and then thought to myself that I should quit in order to be safe. So there was never an incident of any kind. That is one reason I resent the whole TPAPN thing. I did no wrong. In fact, the way I handled the situation was closer to overkill. My DON did not want me to quit and asked me to stay. I quit so nothing "bad" ever would happen. But now for so long I have been stable and, as always, compliant with my meds. I do not drink or do street drugs.
But even so, I am clumped in with those who have abused drugs and alcohol. I was born with my condition and it makes me who I am. I am an artist and I am gifted in ways many are not. My Bipolar Disorder is not something that I should have to be ashamed of and the very idea of TPAPN makes me and others feel like it is somehow "wrong". Bipolar Disorder is not wrong and it is not some bad choice I made either.

And drug addiction is a disease...it's not something anyone "chooses" either.

Jack

phlox · Jan 21, 2010

I don't mean to offend and I understand that addiction is a disease. I guess I resent having to pay for and put up with random urine test. That is really what I meant. My mental illness does not make me an "addict".

phlox · Jan 31, 2010

WARNING! Don't forget your recovery #1. I've seen many go back to work and not have time for meetings and their sponsor etc. and relapse quickly. Recovery is number one. Let us know how you are doing. peace and serenity.

I don't understand why I would have to have a sponser and meetings. I understand a nurse watching me at work though. What relapse? Recovery? I'm Bipolar. It's forever.

jackstem · Feb 1, 2010

I don't understand why I would have to have a sponser and meetings. I understand a nurse watching me at work though. What relapse? Recovery? I'm Bipolar. It's forever.

Yes, bipolar is forever, just as addiction is forever. They are both associated with alterations in the brain's chemistry. Just as a chemically dependent individual can begin using again if they don't actively work a program of recovery, it's possible someone with a mental health disorder can also "relapse" to previous activities which can lead to worsening of the symptoms.

I think a solid understanding of Bipolar Disorder can help with many of the self esteem issues as well. I've discovered having an in-depth understanding of how addiction is related to the biological, pathological changes that occur lead to the emotional and behavioral changes associated with active addiction has done much to help me feel "OK" about who I am. It also helps me understand why an ongoing plan to keep my disease in remission is so important.

Mary Ellen Copeland, MS, MA is the author of several books on "Wellness Recovery Action Plan" for psychological/mental health disorders. She does not write specifically for substance abuse/chemical dependence WRAP (plan to maintain recovery), but many of her plans can be changed to meet the needs of the recovering addict. I highly recommend her books for anyone looking for assistance in developing a plan for maintaining recovery. Part of the plan is almost an "advanced directive" for the sponsor or recovery partner to utilize if the person begins to show signs of relapse. And, I'm using the term sponsor and relapse specifically for mental health issues other than recovery from addiction.

Books by Mary Ellen Copeland include:

"Winning Against Relapse: A Workbook of Action Plans for Recurring Health and Emotional Problems."

"Living Without Depression and Manic Depression: A Workbook for Maintaining Mood Stability" (New Harbinger Workbooks)

Another book that I've heard good things about but have no experience with is "The Bipolar Workbook: Tools for Controlling Your Mood Swings" by Monica Ramirez Basco, PhD.

Working with other who have gone through similar experiences is one of the best ways to get into recovery and remain there, whether we're talking chemical dependence or other mental health disorders. Finding a support group or groups for Bipolar Disorder could be a huge help in dealing with those unexpected times when things aren't going smoothly.

Some web sites of interest:

Wellness Recovery Action Plan: Opening the Door to Relapse Prevention and Recovery by Mary Ellen Copeland, MS, MA

Mary Ellen Copeland (lists several books, including these titles: The Depression Workbook: A Guide to Living with Depression and Manic Depression, Living without Depression and Manic Depression: A Guide to Maintaining Mood Stability, Wellness Recovery Action Plan, Adolescent Depression Workbook, The Worry Control Workbook, Winning Against Relapse)

http://www.helphorizons.com/care/Author.asp?ID=6

Wellness Recovery Action Plan pdf file free for download.

Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance

Bipolar Recovery and Management Information Homepage

Living and Coping with Bipolar Disorder

Building Foundations Toward Recovery in Bipolar Disorder

I think building a solid plan for remaining in recovery from the symptoms of bipolar disorder and having a support group with a "sponsor" before beginning your re-entry to nursing would give you the best shot at re-entering successfully. Good luck with your efforts and let us know how things are progressing.

Jack

phlox · Jun 30, 2010

Thank you. I am still stuck in the same spot as I was years ago and it makes me sad. I simply must make changes or I will lay on my deathbed with only regrets. I must go back to nursing.

Three years is a long time to dwell on this.

jackstem · Jun 30, 2010

Thank you. I am still stuck in the same spot as I was years ago and it makes me sad. I simply must make changes or I will lay on my deathbed with only regrets. I must go back to nursing.
Three years is a long time to dwell on this.

I agree with you, "dwelling" on something does nothing to move forward. "Dwelling" reminds me of a solid structure in which someone lives. In other words, "it goes nowhere." I prefer to see my journey of recovery as just that...a journey. This implies motion or moving forward.

Another way to look at recovery is attempting to walk up a down escalator. When we are at the top, everything is "perfect". When we are at the bottom, our disease/disorder is in full bloom and nothing is working. It takes a considerable amount of energy to begin walking up that down escalator, just as getting back into recovery takes more effort than it does to maintain recovery once we achieve it. Taking things one day at a time, one piece at a time is less overwhelming than tryin to do everything all at once.

Finally, having a recovery sponsor, partner, "buddy" always makes the journey more effective. It's why people hire personal trainers to reach their goals when trying to achieve their peak level of fitness. We ALL need encouragement at times. It's also more "fun" to travel on a journey with someone else because ti gives us someone to share the joy with as well as help when we struggle...and we ALL struggle in our recovery at times, whether we're dealing with addiction, bipolar disorder, depression, or any other challenge you can think of.

Check out that list of books I posted the last time and find someone to work with on developing an ACTION plan.

You can do this!!

Keeping you in my prayers,

Jack

ariel7777 · Jul 3, 2010

I can share with you what my attorney had said about the refresher course.

I too need one, however, I am in Florida, but I suspect that this issue is the same in all states.

She told me to wait until I have the contract from IPN first, and the license from BON.

The refresher courses that you need to take must be one that is approved by BON of your state. There are many out there, but you can only go to an approved one. You don't want to take a course, and then to hear that is not the one that they want.... :rolleyes:

This course is last of your worries, first comes the contract, then the course..

I looked into some of the approved ones here in Florida, and they have two parts: first the theory, which you can take on line, then the practice part (here, if I remember correctly, is 180 hours), and you must find your own site.

God bless

Ariel:redbeathe

phlox · Jul 12, 2010

Thanks ariel. I plan on taking my refresher from phesonline which is approved by the Texas BON.

And Jack, I re-read the list of materials you suggested and really appreciate the help. I am feeling so good about all of this now. I am putting one foot in front of the other....and I am RUNNING!

jackstem · Jul 13, 2010

And Jack, I re-read the list of materials you suggested and really appreciate the help. I am feeling so good about all of this now. I am putting one foot in front of the other....and I am RUNNING!

LOL!! Just don't run so fast you end up losing your balance! Slow and steady. One day at a time, one hour at a time, one minute at a time.

I have to say your post definitely has more energy to it! Funny how you can sense that through the ether of the internet. I'm proud of you for continuing to move forward in your recovery. Keep us posted.

:hug:

Jack