Virginia Monitoring Program

Nurses Recovery

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Hi.

I was wanting to start a thread for only people in the Virginia Monitoring Program. I am not finding too many threads about it or people in it. I have started into it and will be doing orientation soon. I will try and post what I can but of course no one can answer your legal questions, only legal counsel can do that. This would be more for personal experiences and what not.

If anyone is in it and would like to participate in this thread, please do.

So, for me, I am in it for mental illness (will not disclose what I have) and ETOH abuse. My story began when I sent my application in for licensure (to the board). I was honest and disclosed because I don't know what the future holds and I thought it would be in my best interest to disclose. Plus, I don't feel comfortable lying. I personally do not have a history of drug use or drug diversion (my apologies if you have heard my story in other threads). I was sent a letter from the board requesting my provider send a letter regarding my dx, tx, and prognosis. In addition, I sent a letter on my own behalf with my provider's letter. My case went before the board and I was offered approval to take NCLEX if I agreed to enter into the monitoring program. If I did not agree, there would be an informal conference scheduled. If I had decided not to do the monitoring program and went with the informal conference, I was informed that there could be approval, there could be denial, there could be probation, or the offer could stand at entering into the monitoring program. There's just so many things that could happen. I thought about it and really wrestled with my decision. I have to be honest, in the beginning, I hated the idea of entering into the monitoring program. I really was thinking of taking the informal conference. Then, I realized that I could be denied. No possibility of taking NCLEX and ultimately, no chance at being a nurse. I continued to think about it and decided to take the monitoring program deal. I figured that it was in my best interest (I was in the very early stage of having a mental illness dx, so I hadn't been treated for long and this would force me to stick with getting treatment whether I liked it or not) and I would also get to sit for boards. It took weeks to receive the order in which I would have to sign (and get notarized) and send back to the board in agreement to enter the monitoring program. I went through the process and contacted the monitoring program and told them I would need to enter it and that I had a board order. A phone intake assessment interview was scheduled and then, they sent me paperwork to fill out. The monitoring program sent me recommendations that I have to follow and I will have an orientation for the program. After the orientation, I will have to do random drug screens.

Some random facts about the monitoring program. You can't work in health care until they approve you to go back. The drug screens are $50 each and they can test you as often as three times a week. From what I understand, if you are compliant, the screens (therefore, the cost) eases up. I just about had a bird when I found out the cost. But a few people told me that if I was in compliance, that it usually eases up. I am really hoping this is true. You, the participant, are responsible for the cost of the screenings. The orientations for the program are held in Richmond. Your health care providers and possible health care employers have to fill out forms every so often.

As of right now, this is about all I know. I did keep a time table of when I received documents from the board and monitoring program and when I would send documents to them. From the time I filled out my application to the time I received my board order and entrance into the monitoring program/contract, it was approximately 6 months. I will be taking boards soon.

If anyone else is interested in sharing and is in Virginia, please do. I know I have come across threads asking about this monitoring program and there wasn't much info and no one updated. I hope to keep this updated if others are interested. I hope I didn't violate TOS. Thanks.

Got selected for testing this morning. It was a different panel and this one costs $41 and then, there's the site fee. Total cost of $51. So far, I have had three different panels. Two have cost $41 for the actual test and the other one was $22 for the actual test. So, apparently, there's a range depending on what they test you for. I have been tested weekly, so far.

Okay, so, I thought it was weird that it was costing more. I went back and looked at everything, and I think they are supposed to be observed screens. My first one was not, but I was not drinking. I just didn't know it had to be observed (I didn't know is not an excuse according to HPMP, but this is AN, so I hope I can say I truly didn't know here) and picked the cheapest site, which was $10. The site I changed to is observed and it's $22. So, total cost of testing is $63. This is really starting to scare me as far as cost. Maybe it will get better. I hope so. :cry:

I have days where I feel like I am left to my own devices with this program. But, hopefully, I can figure everything out without making mistakes that are going to get me kicked out of the program for noncompliance.

If you are in Virginia, just learn from my mistakes and hopefully, you won't make the same ones.

Okay, so, I called my case manager and asked about the observed thing. Here's the deal. They do not have to be observed unless there is suspicion that there could be some tampering. So, ignore my above statement. But, the test today was $41, so apparently the price varies based on the panel selected.

So, the way it is looking...the drug screen costs alternate between being around $41 and $22. Again, it's the panel they choose (some test for more substances than others). But, that's the way mine have been. So, there's not exactly a set cost for the actual test. The lab fee is the same every time assuming you use the same lab.

AA meetings and Caduceus have been going good. Soon I will be squaring away my reports for the month. I personally add the AA meetings and Caduceus dates on the report as they happen rather than having to go back and try and remember everything.

I have found as far as contacting case managers, it has been slightly easier getting a hold of them in the morning. My personal experience, anyway.

So, I thought I would add a few things from the BON end of things. My psychiatrist had written a letter to the BON when I went through the application process and it was not exactly the best letter and it made me sound like a bad person (he had only met me once). When my order was put online, some of the things my psychiatrist had put, were in the order. I became afraid if anyone saw that, then I would never get a job. I emailed the Executive Director, Ms. ***, and asked if an updated letter from my psychiatrist showing my progress could be added and the answer is no, the BON only had authority to post orders and actions, not letters. When HPMP is complete, then there will be a new order posted showing completion of the program and a multi-state compact license will be granted.

So, my case manager informed me today that in December, I can start looking for work. That is three months from when I went to orientation. So, the 3 months goes by the orientation date, not the date that you enter into/agree to HPMP. She told me that I will be receiving more info. closer to that time. I have gotten my forms in, checked in, and went to UDS like I am supposed to. So, if you do what you are asked to, then 3 months later is about when you can look for work. It's longer (as long as 6 months) if you don't.

Okay, so, even though my little heart belongs to VA, I am on a stateline. Often times, it is necessary to seek employment in the opposite state. My license is "Valid VA Only". Here's what you do if you are in VA and need to seek employment in another state. It's a process, so it does take time.

1) Ask your HPMP case manager for permission to work outside of VA. He/She will either approve or disapprove. If he/she approves, then move to step 2.

2) Apply for jobs in the other state and secure employment.

3) You have to get approval from the VA Board of Nursing.

4) You have to get approval from the state Board of Nursing you wish to work in (i.e. D.C., Maryland, North Carolina, Tennessee, West Virginia).

There's a form that you have to answer the questions and send it in with your order, so the Board can make a decision whether to approve you or not.

If you are approved, then you can work in that other state through "special authorization"; you are not granted a license, nor are you given a compact privilege. Every job you take in nursing in that other state needs to be approved. You cannot assume just because they approved one job that they will approve another.

This is kind of a random added tid bit that isn't related to HPMP, but to the Board of Nursing application. There is a question on there that does asked about psychological impairment/mental illness, physical impairment, or chemical dependency that could possibly impair a person in working as a nurse. I asked the Executive Director and she told me that if you have a mental illness, physical issue, chemical dependency, then you must disclose and the decision is made on a case by case basis. So, even though it sounds vague and like an opinion question, it is not.

I had asked because I know people wonder about that and I know I had also personally wondered if I "correctly" answered it in disclosing. To me, it read like asking someone's opinion.

I cannot really speak for other states, but that's how it is to be taken in Virginia.

Specializes in LTC, Management, MDS Nurse, Rehab.

your lucky...my drug screens are 76 / test...some months i spend 152 dollars...

How many times a year do you get tested? In Virginia, it's 36 times a year. Average cost of a test is $41 and then, if you are lucky, the drop fee will be $10. So, it's roughly $51 times 36. It's like close to $2,000. Between the UDS and my therapy costs, I probably will spend about $2,000 a year.

Specializes in LTC, Management, MDS Nurse, Rehab.

I'm not sure.. Some months it's twice..some it's once...I've been testing 6 months now and it's up to 700 ish dollars or so..

I have been testing like for 2 and a half months (8 screens, so far) and I have spent around $356. I think ours is lower, but they make up for it in testing more often. It's so hard to see my hard earned money go down the drain on UDS. I hope I can get a job. I finally was issued my pharmacy technician license (it was exciting to see both licenses up, one right after the other. LOL)

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