The majority of TPAPN participants are nurses with an identified substance use disorder, mental health condition or both. TPAPN participants have the common goal of wanting to demonstrate, document and return to safe nursing practice.
After
a referral to the program, participants get an evaluation to determine their needs, and then are enrolled into a individualized monitoring plan, which includes working with a peer support partner.
TPAPN provides participants with guidance, support, monitoring and accountability. Case managers work with participants, advocates, employers and providers to facilitate recovery and promote safe nursing practice. Like any chronic disease, substance use disorders and mental health conditions can be managed with the right treatment.
Participants can use this form to request a copy of their records.
The process of enrolling and participating are detailed below. This graphic provides a high level overview. Click for high-resolution version.
Participation in TPAPN is initiated using a TPAPN Referral Form or a Board of Nursing Complaint Form. Referrals can come from:
All 3rd-Party referrals are reviewed with the BON. TPAPN also accepts BON Complaint Forms. Referral sources are kept confidential, but anonymous referrals are not accepted.
After a referral, nurses need to obtain a comprehensive behavioral health (substance use and mental health) evaluation. TPAPN Case Managers help potential participants identify an appropriate evaluator. Diagnostic toxicology testing (drug tests) may also be required as part of the evaluation process. The evaluator list here is updated frequently.
After the evaluation, nurses are offered the opportunity to participate. Participation is voluntary and potentially an alternative to BON discipline. Eligibility is based on a number of factors including but not limited to the number of previous participations, the referral reason and details, direction from the BON, etc.
Eligible nurses are sent a letter with enrollment instructions including to call their assigned case manager within ten days. The evaluation helps determine the enrollment process, track placement, and individualized participation requirements.
Nurses referred by third-parties (employer, healthcare provider, coworker, etc.) have 30 days from the date of the enrollment letter to enroll. Nurses Ordered by the BON have 90 days to enroll.
In most cases once the time limit has been reached and the referred nurse has not completed the TPAPN enrolled process, their case is referred to the BON. Nurses who receive License Suspension Orders from the BON have their licenses suspended until they enroll in TPAPN. They have an indefinite time period to complete the process.
Nurses will need to meet eligibility requirements. Grants in the amount of 50% of the cost of the evaluation up to a maximum of $750, will be paid directly to the evaluator after the evaluation is complete.
To be eligible for
the grant, the nurse must meet all of the following:
Download the application to apply.
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The Nursing Policy Research Grant Program supports research specifically on policy initiatives backed by TNA. TNA CEO Cindy Zolnierek established the Nursing Policy Research Grant program in 2016 with a pledge of $10,000 over five years based on her belief in the importance of research-level policy inquiry that can inform policy initiatives to improve nursing education and practice and contribute to safe, quality patient care. Donate to Research Grants.
Congratulations to the 2018 TNF Nursing Policy Research Grant recipient: Jessica G. Smith, PhD, RN, a postdoctoral fellow at the Center for Health Outcomes and Policy Research at the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing. Read about her outcomes in the Fall 2018 issue of Texas Nursing.
Participation requirements are individualized and based on referral information, diagnosis, severity, remission, individual needs and license type. The requirements are determined by a participant’s case manager in collaboration with the participant’s evaluator(s), treatment provider(s), employer and the BON.
TPAPN participant requirements are modifiable and may include random drug testing (urine, hair, nail, blood). The frequency of screens varies and can be adjusted downwards or upwards depending on adherence. Abstinence from all abusable drugs including alcohol, in general, is a requirement for participation in TPAPN. Participants are responsible for their own expenses, which vary and may include an evaluation(s), treatment, recovery support services, mutual aid groups, drug testing, and misc. fees.
To adhere to the program, participants are expected to:
TPAPN participants may be referred to specialists (addiction psychiatrists, pain-management specialists, addictionologists, ADD/ADHD specialists, etc) to determine a nurse’s safety to practice or as part of evaluation’s treatment requirements. For example, a recovering TPAPN nurse being referred to an addiction psychiatrist for medication management. Or a referral to an addictionologist to evaluate the nurse’s use of potentially abusable or impairing medications.
Peer support services are based on common life experiences. In TPAPN, peer support partners do not have to have lived experience with substance use or mental health conditions. Rather they are peers by virtue of being registered nurses.
SAMSHA describes how peer support facilitates a significant role in recovery and treatment success. TPAPN advocates
use peer support methods that are person centered, encourage autonomy, respect diversity, are non-judgmental and inspire hope.
Learn more or contact TPAPN to be connected with a peer support partner.
TPAPN participants demonstrating behavior inconsistent with recovery or who are non-adherent with TPAPN participation requirements may need:
Find treatment
Find Support (mutual aid groups, recovery support groups)
Maintain Wellness
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