NSBN’S ROLE IN ADDRESSING THE

NURSE WITH A SUBSTANCE USE

DISORDERDebra Scott, MSN, RN, FRE

Executive Director

Nevada State Board of Nursing

THE ROLE OF THE NURSING REGULATION

NRS. 632.207, Nondisciplinary condition, limitation or restriction

Public protection

Supporting nurses to practice safely enhances patient safety

SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER

Prevalence of addiction.

What does addiction look like?

Specifics to the female gender.

SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER (CON’T)

Prevalence in nursing specialties

Types of users

RISK FACTORS

Top four risk factors

Access

Attitude

Stress

Lack of education

Other risk factors

RISK FACTORS IN RELATION TO NURSING

Role strain

Problems in everyday functioning

Peer enabling

Ingrained attitudes

HOW TO IDENTIFY AND ADDRESS THE ISSUE WHEN

IT HAPPENS TO YOU

Personality and mental status changes

Job performance

Diversion suspicion

RED FLAGS

Documentation

Forgetfulness

Sharing access codes

Inaccuracies of the controlled substance count

WHAT THEN?

If your co-worker is a peer,

Then have an informal and confidential talk with him or her

If you are a supervisor,

Intervene and Report

THE BOARD’S ALTERNATIVE PROGRAM FOR NURSES WITH SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS

What is the Alternative Program?

How do I start the process?

How do I complete the process?

QUESTIONS?

CONTACT INFORMATIONDebra Scott, MSN, RN, FRE

5011 Meadowood Mall Way #300Reno, NV 895021-888-590-6726

nevadanursingboard.org

REFERENCES• Nevada Nurse Practice Act (Chapter 632 of NRS & NAC)• Nevada State Board of Nursing. (2011) Annual Report

2010-2011 Reno, NV: NSBN• NCSBN. (2011) Substance Use Disorder in Nursing.

Chicago, Il: NCSBN• American Psychiatric Association. (1994) Diagnostic and

Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th Edition). Washington DC: APA