What happens?

crazin01 · May 15, 2020

It should specify within your legal documents what the repercussions are for noncompliance/not completing. Whether due to financial hardship, you're just sick of it all, positive drug screens, etc.

I'm in a different state, but I believe if you withdraw from the program/TPAPN for whatever reason, then the disciplinary action begins. Were you ordered a suspension that was 'stayed' as long as you complied with TPAPN? A revocation?

I'm assuming you mean you are unable to find a nursing job since being in TPAPN?

Tracy653 · Jun 5, 2020

What happen is an occasional social drug user starts contemplating becoming an addict from the stress and money. If u do get hired, u will usually not be treated as other nurses but will be treated in such a way u either quit or hope to b fired unless u are extremely lucky. From my experience it seems the nurses who do have a drug problem are pushed back into drugs from the treatment of being enrolled in the program. This is just what I see after reading many stories. I felt something had to b wrong with me since this program was causing such a negative effect in my life. Now I think it’s a way the board can say they tried to help and make themselves look good before pushing u to surrender. I have only failed one drug test in my whole 20 years of nursing. I have passed every test through affinity. I also have lost a job for the very first time. It doesn’t really matter if u are a great or a poor nurse. All that matters is u have the funds they want. U may do a fantastic job at a facility, but the corporate doesn’t usually care and will find a way to get u out and make u look like the bad guy. Also, lawyers seldom want to take your case either way because “you are obviously a drug addict” and should just accept the treatment u receive. If u do not allow others the humiliate and harass u, then u, of course, are either on or want to take whatever drug u failed for. I am amazed that there are this many nurses with horrible stories about treatment and unfairness and nothing has ever been done about it. I always thought nurses were stronger women than this. Is there nothing we can do to help out each other? Are we just supposed to stand aside and watch and hope it doesn’t happen to us?

Tracy653 · Jun 5, 2020

I know I sound a little upset right now. And I truly am. I had no idea nurses were being done this way for many years. I have a friend whose husband went through a drug rehabilitation after being charged with a drug related crime. It is crazy to see the difference in how he is viewed and treated after seeing and hearing what happens in the nursing profession.

crazin01 · Jun 5, 2020

When I was in criminal court, the judge point blank told me "as a nurse, YOU are held to a higher standard", glaring down at me over his pinched nose (sorry, that's the impression he gave off. I don't understand how this is fair, because people are people are people....but life ain't fair, right?

I also cannot believe the ** we are seemingly forced to take to retain our licenses. I have a good 'learning experience' (if I say I'm treated unfairly, then I'm playing the victim card, according to some therapists)

I did divert, years ago, confessed, thinking honesty was best. Have since done everything, bent over backwards, complied all the BS. Extended for reason beyond my control (delays in criminal court resulted in my re-starting 3 years, after 2 completed...how bout that? More money!)

Six months before the end, have a positive false UDS. I KNOW it's wrong, but was told it didn't matter, no matter what proof (asked about if I get a hair follicle test) and told my case was closed, sent to legal for license suspension, no options to contest. Lose nursing job, but I request a hearing before BON to plead my case, and take my negative hair screen to the hearing. However, I didn't have the common sense to pay the toxicologist/whomever from the lab to come to the hearing, it was not allowed as evidence, because I could've forged it. Despite the COC docs, bank statement showing payment, etc. Also had negative screen for the 6 months between the false positive and the hearing, demonstrating my continued abstinence. I suppose the judge felt bad, and reduced my license suspension to 9 months, retro active to the date it was suspended prior to hearing. So, currently in the process of applying for reinstatement and then have another year of the BS program. Am I supposed to feel lucky or grateful that their screw up or whatever it was caused more stress, financial, emotional and further hardship to my family? It'll probably be at least an additional 24 months from when I would've been done without this hiccup.

Sorry to hijack, OP, just seemed appropriate to vent. ?