Guidelines for Managers Working with Impaired Nurses

This publication was developed by the Ohio Nurses Association and should be available soon on the ONA website at www.ohnurses.org and www.CE4nurses.org. The publication was developed by the Ohio Nurses Foundation's Peer Assistance Program for Nurses.

I am planning to purchase the publication. If you purchase the publication and would like to write an informal review and agree to have it posted on this blog, email me.

Comments

[latonia]

Jack,

Thank you for posting. The publication is available to Ohio Nurses Association members and non-members and can be purchased (its an independent study) online at www.ohnurses.org.

This blog is viewed by nurses throughout the country. Each State Nursing Board handles chemical dependency and impairment complaints differently and State Nursing Board alternative to discipline programs (for chemical dependency) vary from state to state.

I would suggest any nurse is considering whether or not to self-report to a State Nursing Board Alternative to Discipline program for chemical dependency contact an administrative law attorney with experience before healthcare regulatory boards in their jurisdiction for guidance initially because chemical dependency and impairment for nurses and nursing students may have licensure, criminal, and employment implications.

For a licensure defense attorney or administrative law attorney in your jurisdiction who represents nurses, see The American Association of Nurse Attorneys website (TAANA) at www.taana.org and call the toll free telephone number provided on the website.

[Jack Stem]

Latonia,

Will this publication be available to non-members? As peer assistance advisor and peer assistance committee chair for the Ohio State Association of Nurse Anesthetists, I'm finding the Ohio board of nursing is anything BUT cooperative when substance abuse and addiction are the topics of conversation. While the board's primary function is to protect the public, making it difficult for nurses to obtain treatment in a timely fashion seems to be unethical as well as unprofessional. They advocate for people needing drug rehab, but not their own colleagues. I'm a recovering addict and former CRNA. I left nursing because I knew I would end up killing myself if I returned. The time it took from my intervention until I was contacted by the board was several months. I had no income during that time and had no idea what was coming next. If I had suicidal ideations at that time, I'd have been dead long before they contacted me.

It's definitely baffling and frustrating. Any suggestions on who to contact on the board in order to discuss these concerns? I have no idea what to tell the CRNAs and SRNAs who contact me. HELP!!

Thanks for what you do for nurses in the tristate area.

Jack Stem