nurse opioid addiction and state licensure

Nurses Recovery

Published

If a nurse admits to being addicted to opioids (whether prescription or not), is it a responsibility for the employing facility to report to the licensure board in your state? What are the rules regarding this in your state?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in critical care, ER,ICU, CVSURG, CCU.

Texas self report

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med/surg/ortho.

Yes indiana would report u if u didn't self report

Up Vote Up Vote ×

In Illinois, the nurse practice act allows a facility to NOT report (many do report anyway though) only if the employee signs a last chance agreement with the employer and the employer agrees to monitor the employee with random drug tests, meetings, etc. Usually the Employee Assistance Program is used to do the monitoring. Any slip ups and then you're fired and reported. I know because I was offered this. I took it but since I wasn't allowed to go back to my old job (good idea) and because they didn't offer me a new position or guarantee they would find me one, I self reported so that I could seek employment elsewhere. My state goes easy on those who self report and it worked out for me.

I've only heard of hospitals doing this as they have more resources to make it work. As I said though, many dont bother and just report the nurse. I've never heard of a nursing home doing a last chance agreement over here.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Psych, Addictions, SOL (Student of Life).
If a nurse admits to being addicted to opioids (whether prescription or not), is it a responsibility for the employing facility to report to the licensure board in your state? What are the rules regarding this in your state?

I don't know that they are required. That would depend on the individual state. Still you will have a very hard time staying employed with this admission especially if you addiction is active and not in remission. Risk management in most facilities will not want to take the risk on you. Some will report you immediately others give you the chance to self report. If you have received treatment in the last 5 to 10 in pending on state you licensure application or renewal will have a question re: mental health/addiction treatment if they find out that you have received treatment and lied about it then they can revoke your license in the lack of good moral character clause.

Hppy

Up Vote Up Vote ×

In Florida, it depends on your employer. If they are kind, they will give you the option to self report, and if not they will report you to the peer assistance program (IPN). If they are not kind, they will report you to the BON and that's when the hard fight starts. It's always better to self report rather than risking it!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER, ICU/CCU, Open Heart OR Recovery, Etc.

Self report.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment