TPAPN...Uggghh!!

jackstem · Jan 11, 2010

My license was revoked because i stole narcotics from the hosp. i was working at. There were no criminal charges, thank goodness. They didn't reinstate 1yr ago because they said I needed "more time"?? even though they had all of my drug screen results. I'm not sure if they have some set of standards they follow or what. I'm really just wondering if anyone has had any experience with the tx bon and might have some tips to share. One thing I do know is, the woman who is my investigator is very rude and demeaning everytime I have talked to her on the phone. She makes me not want to have anything to do with this proceedure. If I didn't want my license back so bad I would have given up long ago just because of the anxiety i have when i have to deal with her!

I might consider recording the conversations you have with your case worker, There is no excuse for being rude to you.

Do you have a consent agreement with the Texas alternative program? If so, it should be spelled out as to what you need to have for reactivation of your license. While having clean urines is important to have "proof" that you haven't been using, there is more to recovery than just not using. With a caseworker who has significant experience in dealing with impaired nurses, they have a pretty good sense when someone doesn't have a solid base of recovery. I'm not judging you or taking your inventory. Looking back at my own travels on this road of recovery, I was struggling at 3 years. In fact, it took a third relapse and the final realization that remaining in active practice would have ended with me dead and possibly others as well. I had to finally "lose it all" before I focused on recovery instead of just having clean urines. Do you have a sponsor? Do you attend more than just the minimum requirements for meetings? Do you do any recvoery related work? Go above and beyond the minimum requirements to solidify your recovery, keep excellent records of everything you do that is recovery related. When recovery becomes your primary focus, everything else begins falling in place.

Good luck and let us know how things go this week.

Jack

texasgirl77 · Jan 29, 2010

Yellahorse I think I know you! Did you have a board hearing this week? If you did send me a message.

longhornfan1 · Feb 2, 2010

I have so much sympathy for your situation, as well as for every nurse who has had to suffer through the TPAPN circus. I have posted on allnurses for the last several years and have seen both ends of the spectrum when it comes to our "Peer's" judgments, opinions, options, solutions, experiences and, more often than not, open disgust for those of us who have confessed a struggle with substance abuse/use/misuse. I learned through the patience and profound understanding from others which comments to consider and those I should disregard with the same haste in which they were posted. I have been a willing participant in TPAPN since June 6, 2006 when I was referred by my employer for suspicion of diversion and subsequent positive UDS for opiates. I was less than 4 months from completing my 2 year contract when I had my only positive drug test in February 2008. I vehemently disputed the results, obtained letters and assessments from any professional who had ever treated me, was seen by an LCDC at the local rehab center, paid for an independent MRO, and exhaused every avenue with TPAPN. I finally signed another 2 year contract with an expected completion date of February 2010. TPAPN demanded treatment for relapse, though everyone else deemed it imprudent, reinstatement of all restrictions as well as concluding that all of my "incident free work history" was void and I had to obtain employment to complete the year long incident free work requirement . I tolerated so much cruelty during my employment on the first contract, I loathed the job search, disclosure and discrimination I would face trying to find a job nursing. I thought I was scheduled to complete this month and hoped I had manage to skate by the work issue unnoticed, but, much to my dismay, I was found out. I was asked to submit paperwork showing I had received intensive outpatient treatment in May of 2008, which I hadn't, obtain employment immediately and provide several other documents from therapists, physicians and psychiatrists. I told them I could not fulfill their request and lay down before them prepared for whatever they justice they felt appropriate, I was ready to hire an attorney and meet with the board. I was tired of them holding my career just out of reach and refused to bend to their will............. stay tuned. I am pooped and will have to finish this in the morning. Longhornfan1

yellahorse · Feb 2, 2010

Yes I was there. Were you there with a male friend and you got your license back? I was there on the 26th!

yellahorse · Feb 2, 2010

i am wondering if i should hire an attorney before signing any paperwork from the board. I was in tpapn back in the early '90s and had to hire an attorney to be released from the program. unfortunately i have been burned by the board before and and am reluctant to just sign the papers, although i really need my license to make a living out there in the real world.

scoochy · Feb 2, 2010

Pardon my ignorance: with regard to impaired nurses, what does TPAPN stand for?

Every region of the country calls its substance abuse programs for impaired professionals something different.

Thanks!

yellahorse · Feb 2, 2010

Texas Peer Assistance Program for Nurses.

jackstem · Feb 2, 2010

i am wondering if i should hire an attorney before signing any paperwork from the board. I was in tpapn back in the early '90s and had to hire an attorney to be released from the program. unfortunately i have been burned by the board before and and am reluctant to just sign the papers, although i really need my license to make a living out there in the real world.

Would you sign a mortgage, or any other legal document without consulting an attorney? The document the board is asking you to sign may have long standing, even permanent consequences on your ability to practice your chosen profession. I'm not sure I would sign something like that without legal advice. Also, the action on your license in one state may have serious consequences if you ever want to obtain a license in another state! Today's world is simply too complicated to represent yourself when facing anything but a "minor" situation. What constitutes "minor"? I have no idea!

Two rules I share with nursing students when speaking to them...get your own professional Liability Insurance regardless of the coverage offered by an employer (the cost is low and it's a business deduction in most, if not all states), and always retain an attorney when facing a board investigation or hearing (with experience before the BON and one practicing administrative law...nurse attorneys usually fit this description). There are those who don't agree with me on these points. Nothing wrong with that. The bad thing is, if they're wrong, it will be you who pays the price, not them.

Consult or retain an attorney. A consultation may be all that's needed and can be significantly cheaper than retaining an attorney. Complicated cases (such as criminal charges or multi-state licensure issues) may not be appropriate for a consultation. Contact The American Association of Nurse Attorneys to get additional info or a referral.

Good luck!

Jack

texasgirl77 · Feb 2, 2010

Yellahorse,

Yes that was my boyfriend and I. Did you get it back?????

jackstem · Feb 3, 2010

Pardon my ignorance: with regard to impaired nurses, what does TPAPN stand for?
Every region of the country calls its substance abuse programs for impaired professionals something different.
Thanks!

TPAPN = Texas Peer Assistance Program for Nurses

Jack

lifeistweet · Feb 3, 2010

Good Luck on Wednesday. jen

yellahorse · Feb 3, 2010

yes txgl I got it back with stipulations. I was gonna try to get more info from you on the medicaid thing that we talked about.