Nurse With History of DUI and Impaired Practice Retains License
A nurse charged with substance use and sleeping while on nursing duty will retain her full license privileges after a negotiated agreement with her State Nursing Board. The nurse in question also had multiple run-ins with law enforcement in the period immediately preceding the negotiated agreement and had been charged with driving while intoxicated and driving on a suspended license. This case highlights the importance of negotiated agreements and substance abuse interventions for medical professionals in similar circumstances.
If you are a nurse or other medical professional facing an investigation or charges from your state board of nursing, you face several critical decisions. If the situation involves allegations of substance abuse, it may be particularly damaging to your career and may even cost you your license. But if you are willing to take quick and decisive corrective action, you can limit the potential damage. First, it is vital to have an experienced professional license attorney. The LLF National Law Firm Professional License Defense Team represents nurses nationwide and has a proven track record of successful license defense. Contact the LLF National Law Firm today at 888-535-3686 or reach out through our online contact form.
Nursing and Substance Use and Abuse
The first thing that any nurse facing substance abuse charges before the state nursing board should know is that they are not alone. It is no secret that nursing is a stressful occupation, particularly in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, when reported substance abuse numbers skyrocketed among medical professionals. According to recent studies, around ten percent of healthcare workers abuse drugs, with one in five nurses struggling with an undisclosed substance use disorder (SUD). It should be clear to even a casual observer of US healthcare that we cannot function without 20 percent of our nurses. Therefore, a primarily punitive stance to substance abuse is not practical or ethical for most nursing boards. To successfully address licensing board concerns, you must balance concern for a nurse’s fitness with a willingness to address issues and concerns about potential substance abuse issues.
Nursing Boards and Substance Abuse
According to the Nursing Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN), a substance use disorder (SUD) is defined as the misuse of a variety of substances, from alcohol to illegal drugs to misuse of legal medication. Nursing Boards are concerned with any behavior that may interfere with a nurse’s ability to practice, including substance use. Nursing Boards are more likely to be lenient and negotiate settlement agreements where a nurse acknowledges an issue and takes steps to fix it. But every situation is different, and any nurse facing discipline should discuss their case with an experienced license defense attorney. Don’t make any assumptions about your case or options before discussing your case with a qualified attorney.
While substance abuse is a serious issue, the LLF National Law Firm Professional License Defense Team can help you through this challenging time and get things back on track. We defend nurses and other healthcare professionals nationwide, and we have a proven record of successful nursing license defense. If you are willing to take the steps necessary, we can help you protect your livelihood and license. Contact the LLF National Law Firm today at 888-535-3686 or reach out through our online contact form.