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continued to have problems after their license was reinstated. As the number of nurses who were impaired increased, other options were sought to help get nurses back to work while maintaining safety for patients (Intervention Project for Nursing (IPN), 2015). Material Protected by Copyright IPN offers a non-punitive and confidential program of assistance with the goal of keeping nurses working instead of losing licensure; rehabilitation instead of disciplinary action. However, when the nurse is reported to the Florida Department of Health and IPN, disciplinary may ensue. IPN Services IPN offers a variety of services for the community and healthcare workers. • Confidential consultations • Case management • Assessment of referrals • Statewide training for employers, schools of nursing, and other interested groups • Facilitating evaluations with approved treatment providers • Evaluation and approval of treatment programs • Referrals to approved treatment programs • Ongoing monitoring; detecting relapses and intervening • Advocacy for nurses with substance use disorder or other mental/physical conditions • Overseeing nurse support groups throughout the state • Reporting treatment noncompliance to the Department of Health (IPN, 2015a) IPN assist and monitors: • Nursing Students • Graduate Nurses/Exam Candidate • Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) • Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) • Registered Nurses (RNs)- ADN, BSN, MSN, and Doctoral • Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioners (ARNPs) • Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) (Smith, 2013) Intervention When a healthcare worker is suspected of impairment, a colleague is required to report their suspicions, failure to do so may result in disciplinary action against the non-reporter. Upon receipt of a referral, IPN will: • Initiate a consultation • Provide an intervention o The nurse will be required to stop practicing within 1-3 days § This is important to note, because the disciplinary process takes, on average, 9-12 months before action is taken • Assist in obtaining the appropriate treatment • Continually evaluate progress o If the healthcare worker refuses treatment or fails to progress within the treatment plan, IPN will report the healthcare worker to the Department of Health for discipline • Monitor the nurse for 2-5 years IPN does not stop with referring the healthcare worker to an appropriate treatment provider. The healthcare worker is subject to: • The execution of a IPN advocacy contract • Collaborative employer involvement Material Protected by Copyright • Payment for services (insurance does not pay everything) • Quarterly progress evaluations • Structured support groups attendance • Practice-setting reports • Relapse prevention group attendance • Participation in random urine drug screenings (Smith, 2013) Test Your Knowledge The IPN requires that a healthcare worker stop practicing within ________ after the referral and consultation have been completed: A. 9-12 months B. 2-5 years C. 1-3 days D. There is no recommendation to stop practicing Rationale: Upon receipt of a referral, IPN will: • Initiate a consultation • Provide an intervention o The nurse will be required to stop practicing within 1-3 days § This is important to note, because the disciplinary process takes, on average, 9-12 months before action is taken • Assist in obtaining the appropriate treatment • Continually evaluate progress o If the healthcare worker refuses treatment or fails to progress within the treatment plan, IPN will report the healthcare worker to the Department of Health for discipline • Monitor the nurse for 2-5 years Fitness to Practice The IPN determines the healthcare worker’s “Fitness to Practice” based on the following criteria: • Stability in recovery • Support systems • Problem-solving ability • Cognitive functioning • Judgment • Ability to cope with stressful situations • Decision-making ability in a crisis (Smith, 2013) Recovery and Safety to Practice The IPN monitors the healthcare worker’s progress to determine satisfactory compliance for recovery and safety to practice. At any point, the IPN determines unsatisfactory compliance, a report to the Department of Health may be made. Indicators of satisfactory
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