Impaired Nursing Project
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Hi Laura,
The consensus is usually to offer the nurse a treatment program first, then if that doesn't work out and their use is verified, action is taken against their license. Our profession is one of high stress and substance abuse potential is high, as it is with doctors, pharmacists and other healthcare professionals.
You can find more discussion, references here:
Drug Use As A Nursing Student:"Hi all. I am a male nursing student in my 2nd semester of school. I have 3 more after this and will take the boards next fall. I'm really excited about all of the possibilities and most of all (not to sound too cliche)about the opportunities to change lives that I'll have. I do have a question for current RN's. I occasionally smoke small amounts of marijuana. I don't have remorse or shame because I know it's a personal choice that I let affect noone around me. I only do it alone or with very close friends. I don't sell it or try to get anyone else to try it."
http://www.nursingdiscussions.com/drug
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Impaired Nurses Bibliography, Alcohol And Drug Abuse Institute (ADAI):
http://lib.adai.washington.edu/biblist.htm#SP#occ
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Narcotic Use and Diversion in Nursing, Mandy L. Hrobak, University of North Carolina Charlotte:"Narcotic use and diversion in nursing is a growing problem that may be difficult to identify. Clinical indicators can help managers and staff become knowledgeable about signs and symptoms. Areas related to job performance, personality/mental status, and diversion are looked at as indicators. Workplace access and deviant work group norms can contribute to the picture. Certain methods of diversion may be hard to detect. Institutions need to be prepared to handle incidences of narcotic use and diversion before they occur. Policies can help provide for positive outcomes for the institution and the nurse, should she/he decide to receive treatment. Patient safety is of the utmost concern. A supportive environment is important for reentry of the rehabilitated nurse at work. Alcohol and drug dependency are covered under the American Disability Act of 1990. Assistance programs, education, and further research are needed in this area."
http://juns.nursing.arizona.edu/arti...002/hrobak.htm
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More like this: http://www.nursefriendly.com/impaired/
Hope that is helpful to you.
Andrew Lopez, RN
Nursing Associations, Degree Programs Online, Jokes, Schools, Scrubs & More
http://www.4nursing.com
