Tnpap questions

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Wondering about others experience with TN assistance program. Only known one other and she was able to be in program without narc restrictions. Concerned about loosing my current job over previous employer and false accusations of marijuana use. I have 2 weeks to accept TnPap or go before board. Curious how long it takes to get permission to work with or without restrictions.

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It's very very unlikely you won't get a narc restriction . If you can't fight it, take the tnpap and save a permanent mark on your license. The contracts are usually pretty similar anyway.

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So if I fight it and loose there will be a permanent mark on license?

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Yes and you will be in monitoring for 3-5 years. The only difference is tnpap will be confidential and it won't leave a mark on your license once you finish it. I really think you should talk to a lawyer who is very familiar with your states BON. Every state is different. Some are more lenient. You might get lucky and just get a reprimand and fine without a monitoring contract. But even that would be a public mark on your license.

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I did call a local attorney who does nurse license violations and he told me to offer a hair sample and explain my circumstances to the BON assistant general counsel that contacted me but she pretty much told me my options were TnPap or schedule a hearing. The attorney just said if they won't accept that to contact him and he could represent me. My main concern is affording the program without a job. If my work isn't able or willing to let me stay employed.

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Can you tell me how long it took the BON to contact you after being reported?

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The incident happened July 2017. Contacted in Feb 2018.

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I did call a local attorney who does nurse license violations and he told me to offer a hair sample and explain my circumstances to the BON assistant general counsel that contacted me but she pretty much told me my options were TnPap or schedule a hearing. The attorney just said if they won't accept that to contact him and he could represent me. My main concern is affording the program without a job. If my work isn't able or willing to let me stay employed.

My only thought is that a hair sample probably wouldn't do you much good at this point. They typically only test 1.5 inches of hair, which is about 90 days...too far ago to absolve you of any use back when you were accused. If you had gotten it shortly after you were reported, it may/may not have helped. But 8 months out, I cannot fathom that it would do much good except to show current sobriety. Monitoring is expensive, but so is permanently losing a nursing paycheck. It's easier to find a nursing job in monitoring if you don't have public discipline.

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

Please update and let me know how your situation turned out. I am currently under TNPAP monitoring for absolutely no reason. NEVER a positive drug test. NEVER an accusation of any kind from my job of 21 yrs. My nursing career has been perfect! I have have never used drugs/abused drugs EVER. I went to the post office fro a neighbor and picked up some mail for her and a small box had marijuana in it. I was arrested because apparently she was being monitored by the police. I got probation for a possession charge. That started the mess with TNPAP. I'm currently going broke to pay for all these cash evaluations and drugs screens. All drugs screens are negative. URINE, BLOOD, HAIR all negative. I want out! 

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On 5/16/2021 at 12:38 PM, Marie2021 said:

Please update and let me know how your situation turned out. I am currently under TNPAP monitoring for absolutely no reason. NEVER a positive drug test. NEVER an accusation of any kind from my job of 21 yrs. My nursing career has been perfect! I have have never used drugs/abused drugs EVER. I went to the post office fro a neighbor and picked up some mail for her and a small box had marijuana in it. I was arrested because apparently she was being monitored by the police. I got probation for a possession charge. That started the mess with TNPAP. I'm currently going broke to pay for all these cash evaluations and drugs screens. All drugs screens are negative. URINE, BLOOD, HAIR all negative. I want out! 

What ended up happening??? How much have you had to pay out?

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

I continue to pay out almost a thousand a month, sometimes more. It just depends on what the "random" drug test is. Hair is $299, blood is $250 and urine is $80. I have been tested up to three times a month. Not to mention if I have to use their shrink which is $400 sometimes very 2 weeks, all cash, no checks and no cards. I can't wait til this is all over. 

 

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I have been asked to come in first thing in the morning to speak with HR and my CNO in regards to narcotic discrepancies. They wouldn't give me anymore info. Any one have some suggestions for what to expect or what to say? 

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