Who, at your job, knows about your monitoring status?

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So, I recently got a job in dialysis. I had the work agreement meeting with them and my TPAPN advocate where we signed all the necessary paperwork and such. (My case manager couldn't do it for some reason.). Anyways, my advocate made it sound as if ANYONE who works with me should know about my participation in TPAPN... that why they could notify management if 'I seem off'. She told this to my new employer. This doesn't seem right to me. I completely understand letting the other RN know who would be working with me. But telling everyone seems drastic and uncalled for. I've reached out to my case manager, but I have not heard back yet.

So, how was this handled at your job? I need advice asap as my manager has already told a fellow employee that I don't believe needed to know. (Non clinical staff member)

Thank you

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My caseworker told me I needed to be less open about it. That it was need to know only. My advocate said this is not what they are taught. Get a hold of your caseworker. Your advocate is not the police.

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THANK YOU! I sat in that meeting feeling so shamed. I knew that policy couldn't possible be right... 'tell everyone because she can't be trusted'. Ugh!

My advocate is a nice lady but she is NOT in recovery nor has she been through TPAPN.

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Let's be honest it's Nursing. Everybody is going to know because the person you told will tell somebody else & so on & so forth. I simply told everybody in my new unit because I knew word would get out. I don't particularly care what the other nurses on my unit think as I'm simply doing a job when I go to work. My coworkers aren't my family, friends or support system

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Wow, why is she even an advocate. Mine has told me repeatedly that his job is to advise as someone that has been through the process and not to make my life difficult. He has also told me it is my right to ask for someone different if we don't get along. You need to report your advocate. TPAPN does take confidentiality seriously. My case worker told me firmly that ancillary staff should not be told.

My privacy has been respected at work.

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No one knows but my manager and the medical director. As far as I know anyway. At my old job several administrative people knew because it was home health and I had to do daily check ins and check outs, so we had to have several people available who were allowed to be my check in/out person.

I def would not feel comfortable having all the staff know! I've had enough humiliation to last a lifetime! Although, I know there's a video they recommend, on the TPAPN website, that is intended for you to show your coworkers so they can understand TPAPN! I don't think so!!

I was lucky, my advocate was very hands off. She was available if I needed help in any way, but didn't push at all. She didn't attend my back to work meeting or my quarterly meetings. Neither does my case manager. I just do my own thing and fax in the paperwork.

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Specializes in Critical Care.

My anonymity was mine and mine only to break. The unfortunate part is that I needed to tell someone to open the Pyxis for me when I needed it open for controlled meds. My boss left it to me how I would present that to coworkers. Ooooh, that was tough to swallow. That was a lesson, one of many, in itself!!!!!

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Hey, I work in dialysis too (in MS)

I've been working for Fresenius for s year now.

You said it took about 2 years for the BON to finish investigating your case, right?

My case is still under investigation so my license is unrestricted right now. It will be 2 years in Feb that I self reported to the BON . I've been through rehab and I'm still going to AA meetings and have a sponsor.

I told my clinical manager who hired me about my situation when I was interviewed for dialysis, she has known me for a while and was appreciative of my honesty. She knows, and my supervisor knows. We don't even talk about it much.

I have told 2 other people I work with, after I got close to them and could trust them.

Good luck!

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My supervising physician and the owner.

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Specializes in Med/surg/ortho.

That's not right but you can either leave or put up with it as best you can. Hold your head high no matter what, what other choice do you have really?

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I agree. Hold your head up high. Nurses who judge other Nurses deserve a special place in the inner circle of hell. I think addiction has been recognized a disease since something like 1952 by the AMA. We are supposed be in the business of helping people afflicted with maladies not judging them for it or making ourselves feel superior because we don't have it. Don't live in fear and regret simply do what is mandated by your program and get through whatever obstacles you may face

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Specializes in Psych, Addictions, SOL (Student of Life).

We have a number or nurses on probation/diversion working at our facility. My boss definitely believes in 2nd chances. It is left to the individual how, when and to whom they disclose this info. Even preceptors are not told if the new hire has these type of restrictions. RNs don't often pass meds in our facilities as we have LVNs and psych techs that do that. Most do eventually disclose when they realize that they won't be treated as if they have two heads. Still I have never heard. I find it odd that someone who is supposed to be your advocate would throw you under the bus like that. I would ask for a new advocate for sure.

Hppy

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