SCRPP and BON

[Rantaboutit]

Hi! By writing this i am hoping to achieve any bit of small advice or to see who might have been through anything like this. I am a new nurse in the state of South Carolina. Due to an unfortunate DUI incident in a different state I had to appear before the BON for SC before I could obtain my RN license. They suggested that I become a part of SCRPP in order to maintain my license. This requires me to completely abstain from alcohol for their suggested 1 year (a legal substance). I am 25 years old. I had no problems with these terms, especially as my career means more than anything. After a very short period of time, with no one getting to know me or my situation, it was suggested that I remain part of this program for 5 years. Along with this I am required to get tested, on average, 3 times a month. Every time i am tested it comes out of my own pocket. Also, they require me to go to at least 3 AA meetings a week (which can be difficult with working full time and NOT having a drivers license). In these meetings I am surrounded by people who are truly trying to overcome the struggle of a disease, and i am unfortunately there to just get a paper signed. I do not belong in these places and sometimes this just creates an unbearable amount of stress..to never know where someone is going to send me and what kind of money it will cost. I also go to an additional weekly educational and motivational meeting once a week. It takes an hour to get there and the cost for treatment, again, comes out of pocket. I admit that I made a painful mistake in my past but I do not have a substance use problem and I cannot wrap my head around any of this. I have no idea who I could possibly begin to speak with to gain some help in trying to relieve this awful burden that has been placed on my shoulders. Any advice would be great..thank you!

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

I am so sorry you are dealing with this situation because of the tendency to a "one size fits all" approach by our BONs. My state BON has a very similar process, but they have recently been mandated (as a result of our state Sunset Review evaluation) to make improvements.

They have been asked to develop a more customized approach based on each individual's situation & whether or not the problems have had any actual impact on his/her nursing practice. The revised process will also need to include a periodic review of treatment progress which could result in early completion and reinstatement rather than trudging through the entire 5 years. Of course, it will take some time to revise, but the end result will be worth it.

In the meantime, if you already have sought qualified legal advice, the only option is to continue to play by their rules.

[Hp2018]

I'm sorry you have to go through that. I recently had a situation, also in SC, I was diverting pills approx 3 times a week. I would just take an extra tab that my patient didn't want. In May, it was caught and I was terminated. I reported and also am doing 5 year monitoring program with random drug testing and meetings 3x week. I haven't been told I can go back to work yet but am afraid that no one is going to hire me. Along with what you said about keeping up with program guidelines and trying to work I feel is going to be hard. I hate that I'm probably meeting the same program requirements as someone who may have done way worse ( which in this case I've done worse than you , but still requiring same guidelines). I'm wondering if they shorten the length of the program if I comply Does anyone know if they do?