Texas TPAPN case closed after failing to adhere to practice agreement

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anyone with any advice or experience with this, please help!

I was referred to TPAPN by my employer for impairment at work and signed a practice agreement . I was not board ordered, I did this voluntarily. I tested positive for PETH three times while in monitoring over the span of two years. They closed my case and referred it to BON. 

I received a notice from the BON and got a lawyer. They have sent the BON notice that they are representing me but I can't afford to continue paying for them after I got my first invoice and it was almost $3,000 for a week of services which really just included them telling the board they were representing me. 

I don't know what to do... 

What usually happens when you are referred to the BON because you are non-compliant in TPAPN? Do they usually suspend your license for a year? or do they board order you to be in monitoring again? 

In the meantime I have continued therapy, gotten a new AA sponsor, attended AA meetings as often as I can, and have stayed sober since my last positive PETH test. 

I don't know what else I can do to show proof I am on the path to recovery since my last positive test and that I want to keep my license. 

is there any chance of getting back into TPAPN after you have been dropped for non-compliance?? I don't know if I should get into more debt to keep paying the lawyer at this point. anyone with any experience or advice , PLEASE HELP! 

 

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I'm not 100% sure how lawyers work, but I paid an almost 3k retainer and that was it? He worked with me for over a year and multiple board issues ? LOL so maybe ask his to clarify how his fees work moving forward? you may not have to pay after this

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I'm probably getting ripped off. Do you recommend your lawyer ? ??

Can a lawyer even help in this situation or does the BON have a typical response to these cases? I'm just thinking out loud ?

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Specializes in ICU, CM, UM.

I agree, I gave my lawyer $3000 upfront and that covered most of the time we've worked together but def get a cost  breakdown bc some of the quotes I got were more than double just to get started so it could go either way.  I definitely recommend my lawyer (LOL recommendation thru a reddit convo funny enough but she's super attentive and has been great and negotiated hard for me rv been after I was just done with it)  so send me a private msg if ud like a contact info... but since your already in it with yours,  clarify with them first for sure. Keep your head up?

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Specializes in Psych, Addictions, SOL (Student of Life).
Sumi said:

anyone with any advice or experience with this, please help!

I was referred to TPAPN by my employer for impairment at work and signed a practice agreement . I was not board ordered, I did this voluntarily. I tested positive for PETH three times while in monitoring over the span of two years. They closed my case and referred it to BON. 

I received a notice from the BON and got a lawyer. They have sent the BON notice that they are representing me but I can't afford to continue paying for them after I got my first invoice and it was almost $3,000 for a week of services which really just included them telling the board they were representing me. 

I don't know what to do... 

What usually happens when you are referred to the BON because you are non-compliant in TPAPN? Do they usually suspend your license for a year? or do they board order you to be in monitoring again? 

In the meantime I have continued therapy, gotten a new AA sponsor, attended AA meetings as often as I can, and have stayed sober since my last positive PETH test. 

I don't know what else I can do to show proof I am on the path to recovery since my last positive test and that I want to keep my license. 

is there any chance of getting back into TPAPN after you have been dropped for non-compliance?? I don't know if I should get into more debt to keep paying the lawyer at this point. anyone with any experience or advice , PLEASE HELP! 

 

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Sorry to tell you this but since you were referred to your BON for noncompliance for TPAPN you will most likely be mandated to in patient treatment for alcoholism which will be followed by 90 AA meetings in 90 days then a five year monitoring contact and that's a best case scenario. You BON can suspend or revoke your license and make you appear before your BON to appeal your case. You need to take a fearless and totally honest look at the fact that as the BON you relapsed not once or twice but three times. Even having 1 drink is considered a relapse.

is your attorney one who specifically works in professional license defense. If so clarify with your attorney what fees you have paid for and how much more you might owe.

Hppygr8ful

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Often times the Texas BNE refers you back to TPAPN.  I have also seen them Board Order nurses to similar restrictions to TPAPN.  Actually, I've seen some who got Board ordered to Board monitoring have it easier than the TPAPN requirements.  You do what you want.  If it were me I would ask the Board to refer me back to TPAPN and if I complete I would request that it be a confidential order meaning once complete it isn't on the web site, or Nursys, 

and as long as you don't get another Board Order it will remain that way.  This is protected Health Information.  Your approach to the investigator will determine a lot of how things go for you.  Don't volunteer too much.  Some say don't talk to the Board.  I've been through this twice, and TPAPN is to assist you in safe practice.  I also self referred both times, the second time the board got wind of it due to some other stuff and gave me a confidential order to complete TPAPN which I did.  I'm all over the place here.  I hope it helped.  The quicker you do this the quicker it is over.  Trust me.  Life is so much better once its all over.  Good Luck!

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Txrntrying said:

I agree, I gave my lawyer $3000 upfront and that covered most of the time we've worked together but def get a cost  breakdown bc some of the quotes I got were more than double just to get started so it could go either way.  I definitely recommend my lawyer (LOL recommendation thru a reddit convo funny enough but she's super attentive and has been great and negotiated hard for me rv been after I was just done with it)  so send me a private msg if ud like a contact info... but since your already in it with yours,  clarify with them first for sure. Keep your head up?

Can you message me? I'm not sure what's going to happen but I have 5 missed check ins with two of them I was selected and 2 missed tests after selection. My manager already got an email saying they would revoke my license if I missed another test. And I realized I missed today at 130am so it wasn't possible to self test. I've had no positive tests but I'm not sure how that will help me or not. 

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TIMFY said:

I'm not 100% sure how lawyers work, but I paid an almost 3k retainer and that was it? He worked with me for over a year and multiple board issues ? LOL so maybe ask his to clarify how his fees work moving forward? you may not have to pay after this

Can you message me? I'm not sure what's going to happen but I have 5 missed check ins with two of them I was selected and 2 missed tests after selection. My manager already got an email saying they would revoke my license if I missed another test. And I realized I missed today at 130am so it wasn't possible to self test. I've had no positive tests but I'm not sure how that will help me or not. 

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Mia Gibson said:

Can you message me? I'm not sure what's going to happen but I have 5 missed check ins with two of them I was selected and 2 missed tests after selection. My manager already got an email saying they would revoke my license if I missed another test. And I realized I missed today at 130am so it wasn't possible to self test. I've had no positive tests but I'm not sure how that will help me or not. 

How are you missing these check-ins?  Are they on the Recoverytrek app?  You just check-in when you wake up or when you're brushing your teeth.  Yes, it's demeaning and makes us feel like criminals, but just do the time and get through the period.  

In my program, if you miss 3 check-ins, you have to go in front of the "compliance committee" and probably make your case again, what steps you are taking to fix that, etc etc.  More headaches

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Mia Gibson said:

Can you message me? I'm not sure what's going to happen but I have 5 missed check ins with two of them I was selected and 2 missed tests after selection. My manager already got an email saying they would revoke my license if I missed another test. And I realized I missed today at 130am so it wasn't possible to self test. I've had no positive tests but I'm not sure how that will help me or not. 

I think you have to have a certain number of posts to be able to private message, but you can email me!
[email protected]

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Universe93B said:

How are you missing these check-ins?  Are they on the Recoverytrek app?  You just check-in when you wake up or when you're brushing your teeth.  Yes, it's demeaning and makes us feel like criminals, but just do the time and get through the period.  

In my program, if you miss 3 check-ins, you have to go in front of the "compliance committee" and probably make your case again, what steps you are taking to fix that, etc etc.  More headaches

I actually worry about missing check ins and all of the other BS I have to do.  Checking to see if I have to test meetings all the ridiculous appointments etc. I haven't missed yet but I can see how it would be easy to forget.  The requirements aren't normal things people so. It would be simpler if we received calls or texts to test  Where I live we never have to test on a holiday but we still have to check in on holidays. It's so ridiculous. 

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Do you guys use affinity? It sends me a notification every morning at 4 am to check in on the app. It's become a habit at this point for me to check in as soon as I wake up, but I would definitely recommend setting an alarm so you check in every day. I don't get why they just don't notify you if you're going to test that day, but c'est la vie

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