The Recovering Nurse Program is a confidential, voluntary alternative to formal disciplinary action for a Registered nurse who may be impaired due to chemical dependency/abuse.

The Nurse Practice Act (L.R.S. 37:911-933) provides that alternatives to disciplinary action may be established. L.R.S. 37:922 (Sec. E) reads in part: “The Board, in its discretion, may maintain the confidentiality of an individual registered nurse who violates a provision of this Part whenever the Board determines the public interest will be best served by alternatives to the disciplinary process”.

The objectives of the Recovering Nurse Program are:

1. Ensure the health and safety of the public through a program that closely monitors nurses impaired by alcohol and/or other drugs.
2. Promote safe nursing care by preventing or restricting the practice of those temporarily unable to deliver safe nursing care.
3. Implement a plan for identification and referral of impaired nurses.
4. Establish criteria for appropriate identification and treatment of an impaired nurse.
5. Develop and maintain criteria for identification of acceptable treatment program.
6. Provide a structured program for nurses seeking recovery from impairment in a therapeutic, non-punitive and confidential process.
7. Provide educational programs to the health care community related to the identification and intervention of chemical dependency problems, subsequent treatment alternatives, and monitoring.

* A small number of participants are in the Recovering Nurse Program for a medical, mental, or physical condition which has or may potentially compromise their ability to practice nursing with reasonable skill and safety. These individuals have different stipulations than those with chemical dependency.

Registered Nurses and Students who:

• Are licensed, eligible for licensing, or have applied for clinicals.
• Are mentally ill or abuse alcohol or drugs to the extent that their nursing practice may be affected, and,
• Voluntarily agree to enter the program and provide consent for appropriate medical and psychiatric evaluations,
• Have no prior disciplinary actions by this or another licensing Board.

RN’s are ineligible for confidential RNP if they have:

• A criminal conviction or pending criminal charges;
• Been previously disciplined by the Board;
• Been terminated previously from this program, or any other diversion program, for non-compliance;
• Sold drugs; or
• Caused significant patient harm or death.

Contact RNP at LSBN 225 755-7546 or e-mail rnp@lsbn.state.la.us

Stop working as a Registered Nurse, sign an agreement and complete an inpatient evaluation at a Board approved facility.

The agreement is for three to five years depending on the treatment team recommendations.

They are located on the LSBN website here, or a copy can be sent to you per request.

You should contact RNP and then comply with the recommendations from your evaluation.

• Contact the facilitator of the RNP group (this information is included in the program agreement packet) for date, time, and location.
• Start attending the required groups/meetings (AA/NA, Aftercare, RNP group)
• Have verification calendar signed at each group/meeting
• Begin drug screening by contacting the drug screening service daily (see below)

Prior to returning to work you must complete the recommendations from your evaluation (i.e. if inpatient or intensive outpatient treatment was recommended, this should be completed). In addition, you must have a release from a Board approved addictionist, Board staff approval, and a signed Employer’s Agreement (the Employer’s Agreement is available on the website)

Most of the nurses in RNP are employed; the nurse support group may be helpful with suggestions regarding employment.

You should make them aware during the interview process since there will be certain restrictions that need to be considered if you are hired. You will also need to have an Employer’s agreement (signed by you, the employer and RNP) in place prior to starting work.

• You can not administer narcotics for a minimum of six months after returning to work.
• You can not work 11-7, overtime or critical care areas for the first year after completing treatment.
• You must have direct on-site supervision for the duration of your agreement.

If you relapse or have an adverse report you will have the opportunity to sign a four-year agreement and return for an evaluation.

You will receive instructions for enrollment with Chain of Custody forms either directly from Affinity or from your RNP Case Manager upon orientation. It will be your responsibility to contact the system daily (via phone or internet) to see if you have been selected to screen. If selected, you must go for drug screening at an approved site that day.

The frequency of your screens will be increased the first time. The second time you miss a screen you may have to return for an evaluation and/or sign another agreement. If there has been a previous relapse or non-compliance issue, your license may be suspended.

The RNP has a list of medications and substances to avoid as well as permissible medications. This is a partial reference list and should be discussed with your healthcare provider. If your healthcare provider prescribes any medication, a Medication Report Form should be submitted within 5 days. Remember, if it makes you feel different it is probably mood-altering so it should be avoided.

Yes, anytime you are prescribed a medication, the healthcare provider should complete the form. This would include not only controlled substances but other prescribed medication as well (ie blood pressure medications, psychotropics, antibiotics, NSAIDs, etc.) since some medications could affect the drug screens.

You should submit a detailed letter explaining what has occurred since you were last licensed. Please include any treatment for substance use disorders you may have completed as well as any criminal matters resolved or pending. After receipt of your letter, you will receive a memo outlining what steps you will need to take to re-enter the RNP.