Peer Advocacy for Impaired Nurses, LLC © 2008-
The National Council on State Boards of Nursing Recommended Reentry Guidelines
Please keep in mind these are not the final recommendations and that they are ONLY RECOMMENDATIONS. Each state board of nursing must conform to state law when (or if) they decide to develop an alternative to discipline program. Once the state law is in place, then there is the matter of interpretation of that law. This interpretation might change as each new board is in place. So, even though a program is in the state statutes and the current interpretation seems to be working well for both the public and the recovering nurse, THAT CAN CHANGE! This is why it’s important to remain vigilant as to how well the program is administered. If you want a good example of what happens when a program becomes “overwhelmed”, check out California’s recent struggles.
Returning to Work
The following are required once the participant goes back to work:
- Work Site Monitor and/or supervisor whose license is unencumbered and is not a current participant in any alternative programs
- Self-
reports provided to the alternative program - Periodic one-
on- one visits with work site monitor and/or supervisor
Upon entry into the program, the participant agrees that his/her license will be placed on inactive status until return to work is recommended by the alternative program
During the first 12 months of participation in the program the participation is not allowed to work in any of the following:
- Odd schedules, overtime, night shift, anything in excess of a 12 hour shift
- No more than 3 consecutive 12 hour shifts
- Without direct supervision
- With limited or full access to controlled substances
- In a home health or hospice setting, travel agency, registry, float or on-
call (prn) pool, tele- nursing, and disaster relief nursing - In any other other unsupervised nursing position
If relapse, diversion, or other violations of the work related requirements, the requirements occur, the alternative program will require the participant to immediately cease practice and the alternative program will notify the employer and the board of nursing
The program will continue to monitor the nurse even after referring the nurse to the Board of Nursing and/or the discipline program until discipline program can begin monitoring or pending board action