Laurie Elston – An Impaired Nurse….A License at Risk

Laurie Elston – An Impaired Nurse….A License at Risk

• Have you ever suspected a colleague of substance abuse? Do you know the signs to look for?
• What should you do if you suspect another nurse is abusing or diverting drugs?
• Do you know your reporting responsibilities?
• Are you required to report it to your board of nursing? Your employer?
• If you are abusing drugs do you know what treatment programs are available to nurses? Do you know which programs will protect your license from the Board of Nursing?

Nurse Attorney, Laurie Elston, RN, BSN, JD, has represented nurses in Board of Nursing cases.  She will explain your responsibilities when the impaired nurse is a colleague – and ways to seek treatment and protect your license, if you happen to be the one with a substance abuse problem.

1. Explain your responsibility if you suspect another nurse is abusing or diverting drugs.
2. Determine programs that offer protection from licensing charges by the Board of Nursing.
3. Choose whether impaired colleague concerns should be reported to your Board of Nursing and/or employer.

• 6 to 8% of nurses practice with impaired professional judgement
• Controlled substances vs. alcohol abuse
• Compulsive behavior
• Risk factors for substance abuse problems in nursing
• Consequences of drug addiction
• Drug diversion programs and interventions
• Early identification
• Signs of impending relapse
• Alternatives to nursing license discipline
• Peer assistance treatment programs
• Reporting a nurse colleague
• Grounds for action against a nurse’s license

Get Laurie Elston – An Impaired Nurse….A License at Risk at Tenlibrary.com