TPAPN = prison

Sj81 · May 9, 2015

LisaB19,

Thank you for replying to my comment. As I mentioned, I revoked my participation with TPAPN in October, and went right away started working full time since I was technically allowed to since I no longer had to deal with TPAPN. I spoke with the BON prior to working and confirmed that I was allowed to continue to allow to work as a nurse until I get some sort of notification from the BON otherwise.

So, we are now in May and thankfully I'm still working. My insomnia has improved significantly, however, I am still struggling with weight loss. Unfortunately, my weight dropped to 83lbs and I cannot get it any higher than 90. I've increased my caloric intake but have little effect. I finally went to the Dr yesterday (Because I finally have insurance because I've been able to work since I'm done with TPAPN) to have labs drawn to check my thyroid as well as everything else. I guess what I'm trying to say is that I don't think that it's fair that nurses who NEED and are PRESCRIBED certain medications to maintain their health should at least be allowed to continue taking these medications while in TPAPN. I'm proof that I NEED certain medications to be healthy. I have not taken Ambien or Xanax, which were my meds previously prescribed to me and have been for years, since signing on with TPAPN in June 2014. Even after I removed myself from the program at the end of October, I did not get a script for these meds for different reasons. Main reason was because I was SOOOO BROKE since I had not been able to work D/T TPAPN. I didn't have health insurance either so the Dr. visit would have been expensive out of pocket. I was able to somewhat improve the insomnia by taking OTC meds such as Unisom (which was not allowed in TPAPN). Anxiety continued to be at an all time high however which brought along other symptoms/issues such as mild depression symptoms, increase of heart palpitations (I was having 1-3 episodes every hour), extreme fatigue, headaches...all of this can be prevented if I am taking an anxiolytic. All they care about is that you are on a particular med... but not why. They don't care that I was initially prescribed the anxiolytic back in 2006 to help manage my chronic heart palpitations. Without taking an anxiolytic, it has significant negative impact on my health.

Congrats to you on your new profession!! Sometimes I question as to whether or not I want to continue with nursing. I feel like just because I'm a nurse that doesn't mean I am in perfect health and don't have medical needs...and if having those needs means I can't be a nurse by the BON standards then I better pursue a different profession because I unfortunately am not perfect.

Omaapecm, ASN, RN · May 9, 2015

Once you get the hang of things it'll be just fine. I was given a monitoring program for past discretions 10 years before I applied and they hit me with a 3 year agreement. I can say I have learned so much but it's been stressful. This program has taught me To live all- natural with all aspects of my life so I am so thankful for that. Hang in there you do just fine.

jdub6 · Jul 8, 2015

Nov 23, '14 by Sj81
I couldn't complete TPAPN, and it's not like me to not see something to the end. I had a case manager who was not helpful at all, ignored my thoughts and concerns regarding my physical and mental health, was given a lot of misinformation and ended up only tolerating TPAPN for 4 months. I'm only 5'3", weighed 106 at the start of the program and ended with a weight of 93 lbs and days... literally days of not sleeping because I was not allowed to take my prescribed medication (or any OTC) for my previously diagnosed insomnia. Now, more than likely, I will voluntarily surrender my nursing license even though nursing is the only career I really WANT and LOVE to do. However, I couldn't continue to let my physical and mental health continue to deteriorate at the rate that it was. I'm very nervous about the future, but at least now I'm sleeping better and my appetite is improving. Good luck to you and completing TPAPN!

Please don't take offense as we all have to do what's best for our own health. But for others eating this, I would encourage people not to give up in the first year of their program. Mine took almost a year before they even allowed me to START my official contract which was five years and it felt like too many hurdles, too much many and I would never find a job anyway. At least in my case, it's not easy but it got much better and I got through it.

I will also add that each state is different in what they allow you to take. Mine even allows puerile in the program to take suboxone and benzos if the prescribing doctor submits paperwork that they are aware of your addiction/mental illness/whatever, that they have prescribed and are monitoring it and feel it is best for your condition and is needed for medical purposes and that it will not interfere with you practicing safely (for example, your benzos will be taken only at hs, or whatever.) Their rationale is that they are not medical providers, their concern is only whether practice is impaired. As long as you don't mess up any other part of your program you're okay although they encourage you to find other alternatives.

Anyway, for those just starting or in the first year or so please know it is do-able and many who have successfully finished felt at the beginning that it wasn't. I know I seriously considered just surrendering my license at times. It wasn't easy (or cheap!) but I did it, my career recovered and so will my credit score and I think I am stronger for it. That said, I certainly don't judge those who for whatever reason choose not to.