Georgia Nurses Push for Improved Handling of Substance Abuse Issues
Patient safety is a key part of a nurse’s responsibilities. A nurse under the influence of drugs or alcohol is dangerous to patients.
Unfortunately, Georgia’s current policies on substance abuse disadvantage nurses and do little to protect patient safety. Instead, they place a heavy burden on nurses, leading some qualified professionals to leave the profession. This, in turn, only worsens the shortage of qualified nurses.
A recent bill in Georgia seeks to reduce this burden. The goal is to better support nurses dealing with substance abuse issues while still protecting patients.
Georgia isn’t the only state that places a heavy burden on nurses dealing with substance abuse issues. This is the case even when a nurse has done nothing to risk a patient’s well-being.
If you’re a nurse dealing with substance abuse issues, the Professional License Defense Team at the LLF National Law Firm can help. We assist our clients with getting the support they need and help them while protecting their careers. Call us at 888-535-3686 or fill out our online form.
Silence Over Support
Georgia’s current system disadvantages nurses to the point that many refrain from seeking help with substance abuse. Nurses who seek support may face disciplinary action, required meetings, expensive treatment options, and limited career prospects. This happens even if a nurse has never put a patient at risk or has been sober for years before getting their license.
To better assist nurses with substance abuse issues, Georgia has a proposed bill that would establish an alternative to discipline program (ATD). The goal is to move substance abuse away from punishment and toward support.
The potential ATD program would be confidential, meaning nothing would appear on a nurse’s record. The hope would be that it would reduce the current stigma that makes it more difficult for nurses to find jobs while receiving treatment.
Substance Abuse and Licensing Issues
Currently, nurses with substance abuse issues face disciplinary action and the possibility of a consent order in Georgia. Consent orders refer to public agreements between a nurse and the Board of Nursing. Georgia currently allows anyone to look up a consent order.
Consent orders are a list of requirements that a nurse must follow and complete in order to maintain their nursing license. Requirements may include weekly meetings, random drug screening for a certain period of time, or reports from employers.
Nurses can have their licenses suspended or revoked due to substance abuse issues. That Georgia has a proposed ATD program doesn’t mean nurses will no longer face potential disciplinary action for substance abuse. Endangering patients and criminal charges may still result in disciplinary action.
Protect Your Career
Substance abuse is a serious problem among nurses. High-pressure situations, lack of support, and long hours can all contribute to problems with drugs or alcohol.
Georgia’s proposed ATD program might be a step in the right direction. Whether the proposed law passes or not, nurses with substance abuse issues need an advocate. The Professional License Defense Team at the LLF National Law Firm helps support medical professionals with navigating the requirements for reporting substance abuse and seeking the support they require to succeed.
If you’re a nurse dealing with substance abuse issues, contact the Professional License Defense Team at the LLF National Law Firm, which can help. Call us at 888-535-3686 or fill out our online form.