This comes about a year after your post...hope you are back to work...though I would share a little of my ongoing Nightmare experience with PA VRP.......
My name is Bernie.....I self-enrolled in VRP after spending 3 Months in an Excellent
Rehab. I entered the Rehab as suggested by MD, therapist and others, after I failed an attempt to 'go cold turkey'.....hoping to end my 'dependence' on Prescribed Oxycontin for a
Chronic Pain Medical Condition. Upon successful completion of the Program and Freedom from the Prescribed Oxy, It was strongly suggested to me by both the Staff at the Rehab and my Out Patient therapist to Contact VRP and 'Self-Enroll' in their Program for the Distinct purpose of being in the position to provide a history (after the rehab) of 'Clean' random Urine
Drug tests, in the event my prior admission to a 'Rehab' be questioned and place a concern as to my ability to Practice Safely. In other words, as most admissions to a 'Rehab' follow a struggle with 'Addiction' or 'Abuse' of Mind altering
chemicals, I could expect that the possibility exists wherein, ignorant of the history of my stay at the rehab, my current 'fittness' to practice might be questioned. Enrollement in the VRP would serve to alleviate any such inquiry or concern. Mind you, I NEVER was suspected, accused, caught....etc of Drug Diversion, DUI, Pt/Staff complaints....etc. I was a completely 'Self-enrolled' participant of both the Rehab and VRP. There was NEVER the threat of 'Disiplinary' action against my license as is Usual with the Vast Majority of VRP participants. Actually, the language within the VRP Agreement states that in lieu of having the 'Impending' disiplinary Action (suspension) applied to the RN's License, that Action is 'STAYED' or Delayed while the RN participates in the VRP program....Upon successful completion (3yrs), that 'Disiplinary Action' is Completely Erased....NEVER Applied and life goes on for that RN. It is Akin to Criminal 'PROBATION'. Should that RN Violate Any aspect of the VRP contract, the 'STAY' is 'Lifted' and the Original 'Disiplinary Action' is Applied...the RN has their License Suspended (usually for 3 years). Anyway, I successfully Participated in the VRP....Almost to the Very End of the 3 year Term. 4 Days prior to the End of the 3 year term, a Random Urine came back Positive for Morphine. I was asked to explain. All I could do was state that either the Positive was a 'False' Positive or the Sample was miss-labeled....wasn't mine. Well, that didn't satisfy and as the hammer fell and I was allerted to the fact the the Board intended to Suspend my License, I obtained an attorney and requested a 'Hearing'. Unfortunately, My Attorney Never handled anything remotely like this case, did absolutely NO preparation, provided NO witnesses, No Exhibits, No Nothing! All he did was Reiterate my Understanding......Either the Urine sample was Not Mine or, the Positive was indeed a False Positive. Needless to say, I lost the
Hearing....Had my license Suspended these past 2.75 years, suffering Extreem Financial and Personal Consequences, and have retained an Attorney to assist me in seeking reinstatement of my license. This will be an almost impossible Uphill battle, as He says that I Must Demonstrate to the Board that I am 'Clean'. Apparantly, there is a Document that is Attached to EVERY Hearing 'DECISION' wherein the Decision was to Suspend the RN License, that Outlines, and Clearly Sates Exactly what the Board will be looking for when Reinstatement is sought. These things that the Board will be looking for as evidence (that they will acknowledge and accept) of the RN's Sobriety and 'Fittness' to Practice are essentially exactly the same as in the original VRP program....Consistent Multi-monthly Clean Random Urine Drug Screens, Ongoing Outpatient
Therapy, Consistent Attendence in AA/NA 12 Step program....etc. Well, it is Acknowledged by the Board that in My case, they neglected to Attach this Document. However, I will nevertheless be held accountable to its instruction!!!......My solem advise to ANYONE considering VRP....Unless the option is definit Suspension....I would steer Clear....Very Clear!!! When I first Contacted my current Attorney, who specializes in assisting RN's in my position or similar.....after hearing my 'story'.....immediatly said to me.....'You made one Very Bad Mistake'......'What was that'? I inquired. 'Signing the VRP Agreement' was his Answer.
Best of luck.....bernie
