Started ARNAP in February

Nurses Recovery

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So, I got caught diverting narcotics at my job last year. Even got charges pressed against me for it which I’m still dealing with (court is in August). I got accepted to do the ARNAP program through my state board back in February. So far I have tested once a month. I missed a check in today... and I missed one the first or second week I was in the program. I have an awful memory and multiple alarms to try and remind me of all the things I’m required to do. 8 support meetings a month, that I’m required to document each time I go, regular therapy sessions (with documentation of them provided every 3 months), monthly personal reports to submit, random drug testing, daily check ins, and my license is still on a voluntary hold until my 90 days is up and they decide if they want to reinstate it or not. I have to do this for 3 YEARS. I know some have it worse, so I can’t complain too much. I’m mostly just irritated I can’t have a glass of wine a couple of times a week to relax with because apparently we can’t even drink alcohol! Even though my DOC was definitely not alcohol *eye roll*. For the most part I’m doing okay with the program. It’s just something that must be done if I want to be a nurse, and I truly do. I love nursing. And if I can complete this program, in 3 years I will have a clean license with no restrictions and no indication that this ever happened on my record. (My nursing record that is. I’m sure background checks will have a field day with me when I try to apply to jobs I’m the future... but that’s a hurdle to jump at a later time) Good luck to everyone in the same boat as me! I really hope we can all be successful!

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Women's Health, LTC.

Checking in has sometimes been the worst part for me. I haven't missed one, but, I have had those scary thoughts about 5 pm in the evening, wondering if I remembered that day! UGH! Of course, I log in and yes, I did remember, but it can be unnerving.

I understand that alcohol was not your DOC but the BON do not care. DO NOT take/ingest anything that would cause a positive! It is not worth it. 3 years is a small price to pay to keep your license clear. Good luck and hang in there. We will get through this together!

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OMG I am not alone! I started ARNAP in January! I had an injury that led to dependency. Long story short my boss thought I was off and I was withdrawing with my moms help using her left over meds. They tried to say I diverted but I never did. So when this is done I’m pressing back with false accusations and backing me into a corner. I got 5 years of this and I am an anxious mess everyday. I am clean and sober for going on 8 months! I went to rehab before entering. I also hate not being able to have an occasional glass of wine. But I know that it’s worth it to have no issues on my license. I’m just scared to not be able to find a job after this. I feel like this program is almost setting up for failure. They do introduce “new” policies that leave us paying hundreds to thousands of dollars extra that we don’t have. I have lost everything and have to stay with family. (Which I am so lucky). I did get lied to about being put on inactive status for 90 days and would get it back on contract signing day. Then when I showed up they told me oh yeah another 90 days...so 6 months without work.....I have used all of my savings and I’m starting completely over. I feel you on this trust me. I felt so alone not being able to find someone in the same program as me. I met someone who completed it and said that they felt more punished during this than if they would have just taken suspension. Because even on vacation this follows you and random UA ruins vacation plans that you had on that day. I feel like I’m stuck to this and my life is put on hold for 5 freaking years! Sometimes it makes me wonder if being a nurse is worth it....

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On 5/11/2020 at 10:11 PM, Blessthismess said:

OMG I am not alone! I started ARNAP in January! I had an injury that led to dependency. Long story short my boss thought I was off and I was withdrawing with my moms help using her left over meds. They tried to say I diverted but I never did. So when this is done I’m pressing back with false accusations and backing me into a corner. I got 5 years of this and I am an anxious mess everyday. I am clean and sober for going on 8 months! I went to rehab before entering. I also hate not being able to have an occasional glass of wine. But I know that it’s worth it to have no issues on my license. I’m just scared to not be able to find a job after this. I feel like this program is almost setting up for failure. They do introduce “new” policies that leave us paying hundreds to thousands of dollars extra that we don’t have. I have lost everything and have to stay with family. (Which I am so lucky). I did get lied to about being put on inactive status for 90 days and would get it back on contract signing day. Then when I showed up they told me oh yeah another 90 days...so 6 months without work.....I have used all of my savings and I’m starting completely over. I feel you on this trust me. I felt so alone not being able to find someone in the same program as me. I met someone who completed it and said that they felt more punished during this than if they would have just taken suspension. Because even on vacation this follows you and random UA ruins vacation plans that you had on that day. I feel like I’m stuck to this and my life is put on hold for 5 freaking years! Sometimes it makes me wonder if being a nurse is worth it....

I’m having to live with my sister currently! It is AWFUL. I luckily was just hired for a company and am SO grateful, they were more than willing to abide with the ARNAP requirements. There IS work out there! Yes it took 6 months, but I’m finally going to be able to work as a nurse again. Glad to find someone in the same program as me! Maybe send me a message and we can be facebook friends to keep in touch and swap advice/stories involving our recovery. ?

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Yessss! Don’t have a facebook at the moment and waiting to get the OK to start work again! So waiting to hear my evaluation to return! What type of area do you get to work in?! And CONGRATSSSSS. That’s super exciting!

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Specializes in All nursing Sw Ar from Texas.

Hey all! I am currently on the ARNAP program myself. 3 years. I have checked in daily and lots of times it will be later in the day and I’ll be like, OH did I check in..?!! I have alarms set up my husband does for me and reminds me. Notes all over. And a huge black binder of my “ArNAP Bible’ I carry with me everywhere. I was fortunate to keep my job and had about 6 weeks off until my license got reinstated. 3 years isn’t so bad. I just take it one day at a time. I usually get tested for test #2 which is $80 plus the fees at the clinic. I go to the same clinic every time. At first I felt like a bad bad person. But, I know the girls well as they watch me pee every time. It’s getting better. Also, at first I felt like a prisoner. Watching everything I eat, meds, mouthwash ect. I downloaded the Talbots Drug https://talbottcampus.com/wp-content/uploads/talbott-medication-guide-and-legal-drug-information-2014-06.pdf form and it’s crazy what I have to watch and not use so I don’t have a false positive ETG/Ets metabolites (for ethanol) in my urine. I still get nervous every time I test even though I’m doing everything I’m supposed to! Hang in there to all. You can message me if your in the same boat and want to talk.

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I set alarms to check in. 6 months in and I also have been treated worse than I have ever been in my life. I’m a nurse of 20 yrs. I am also an occasional social drinker or at times thc. One failed tests with no oTher issues at any job. Now, I am unemployed and thinking a punishment is one thing but this is like backing me in a corner financially. Does it ever end? Do employers ever quit thinking u r some sort of criminal they are doing a favor if u are hired? How have all of u guys dealt with this and for so long and why do u think it’s worth it? I was told this stays permanently on my license. Does this mean that I will forever be treated with disrespect and humiliated wherever I go try to b a nurse. If so, I am not a women who deals with that kind of treatment for long. I think way to highly of myself. And how does this even help an addict unless they have plenty of cash? Are there addicts out there that this caused them to regress? It seems pretty stressful to me as I now can’t find a job and can’t afford to test if selected! A friend of mine is married to an ex drug addict. He was arrested for drug related issues then went through a rehab. He received financial assistance and medical assistance whether he could pay or not. A nurse is just screwed unless they have money in Arkansas. I have asked if there was assistance when no one would hire you. My advice was “would u like someone to call you about surrendering your license”. Not an addict but if I was it seems convicts are even treated better than nurse. I am thoroughly confused at this point in how this even comes off as beneficial to anyone at all...

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Specializes in All nursing Sw Ar from Texas.

How is everyone doing on ArNAP? Is it worth it to you?

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Please take it from me; abstain from everything!  I was two months shy of completing my 3 year contract; had two glasses of wine (not my DOC) was Peth tested (first time ever) and failed. Had to start my contract all over. Another 3 years. Oh and I had to see an addiction counselor for $800 to stay out of in patient rehab!!  Not worth it!!  Good luck 

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