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North Carolina Board Of Nursing Case Study

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The North Carolina Board of Nursing has specific criteria for any nurse that is identified as being under the influence. They offer a voluntary program for nurses who have impaired judgement and competency as a result of chemical influence. The Alternative Program, or AP, focuses on ensuring public health and safety by monitoring impaired nurses, return the nurse to a safe state of practicing, achieve early intervention of chemical dependency, and give nurses the opportunity to seek recovery in a non-published, non-punitive and therapeutic environment (Alternative). To enter into the program, the nurse must apply directly to the NCBON and agree not to work until cleared by the board. Eligibility for re-entering into the work force is a minimum of three months after initial treatment …show more content…

After following all recommendations of the treatment program, including attending a minimum of 3 twelve step meetings each week, the nurse is required to attend weekly aftercare meetings for one year. Once the nurse is approved to reenter the nursing practice their license will be monitored for 3 years and all positions must be approved by the AP (Alternative). Their license must also reflect that the nurse remained at the same facility for 2 consecutive months during the first year and for 3 consecutive months after the first year. During the first year of the initial AP completion there are certain guidelines the nurse must follow. These include not working from the hours of 11PM to 7AM, not handling controlled substances, not working in a PACU, OR, Labor and Delivery, ICU, substance abuse facility, or Cardiac Cath unit. They also need to work under the direction of another RN and should not float between units. Additionally, for a minimum of two years the nurse should not work as a traveling nurse, in home health or hospice, or as CRNA. The program and random drug screening lasts for a total of three years, at which time the license will be reviewed and limitations

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