VRP in PA

pranster · Jan 4, 2010

I have been enrolled in the VRP since being discharged from 10 weeks of inpatient rehab earlier this year (alcohol and Ambien addiction). I voluntarily entered rehab, I had no legal issues which forced me there. Fortunately for me, a lot of the paperwork and hassle with the VRP took place while I was an inpatient, so I was only out of work for about a month after discharge. It took a lot of paperwork and phone calls between my employer, myself, the rehab center and the VRP, but I just kept at it and am back to work full-time. My caseworker at VRP was never pleasant, helpful or caring, but I just kept going in spite of her. Being enrolled in the VRP is certainly not a pleasant experience, but I was able to return to work. I cannot prescribe controlled substances for 3 years, but otherwise my license as a family nurse practitioner is unrestricted. I am mandated to attend regular AA meetings, continue in counseling for my addiction, am subject to random urine drug screens and have mandated quarterly meetings with my employer's medical director. Unlike you, I was not falsely accused of anything, so it may be less frustrating for me, as well I recognize that I truly have an addiction problem and need all the support I can get. Many people are shocked when they realize the VRP is not their advocate; they exist to protect the public from unsafe providers. This came as a huge shock to me. Physician's have the PHP program, which is an advocacy program which is paid for by physicians. I am not aware of any such advocacy program for nurses in Pennsylvania. From my personal experience, I have found it best to just bite my tongue, jump through the hoops when they ask you to jump and just keep reminding myself that in 3 years I will hopefully be released from the VRP and enjoy a lifetime of sobriety.

I would like to add that many areas (especially those around larger medical centers) will have an AA group known as Caduceus. This is an AA group for medical professionals, originally for physicians but most groups welcome all health care providers. This is a great place to network with other health care professionals with similar issues. Most of the participants have been exposed to the licensing issues discussed here. They are a great source of information and support. In Pennsylvania, there is a listing of professional support meetings such as Caduceus on the VRP website.

getme2work · Jan 5, 2010

Dear Pranster,

Thank you so much for your candid response. I appreciate all the info you have given me. This has been and still is one long difficult road for me and my family. WOW, u did 10 weeks inpatient rehab! WOW! thats a long time, but, if it helped you that is what is important! My case worker is not helpful or caring either, usually just mean and abrupt, and gives very little info., I recently applied for unemployment, and received it which seems crazy to me that an RN is getting unemployment, but I guess this is thwe way the system works. Yet, all I want to do is go to work. So, you were out of work about 4 1/2 months? I am going on 11 months now. I go to meetings and my prof support group, submit my paperwork as asked, and give urine specimens. Still nothing. Should I just call every day? I dont want to make them mad at me but I need to get back to work. I just sit here crying wondering how this all happened and why? Thanks again for all of your input.

CoffeeRTC, BSN, RN · Jan 5, 2010

Have you talked to an attorney?

pranster · Jan 6, 2010

11 months and they still won't let you go back to work, they are really giving you a huge hassle which seems really unreasonable, especially since it sounds like you are following all the rules. I agree with the last poster that you need to see an attorney. Problem is there are probably very few who have any experience with these issues. In my professional support group I have heard of a guy in Central PA who specializes in this. I will try to get his name and post it on here.