A nursing instructor is teaching about the impaired nurse and the consequences of this impairment. Which statement by a student indicates that further instruction is needed?

Question

1. "The state board of nursing must be notified with factual documentation of impairment."
2. "All state boards of nursing have passed laws that, under any circumstances, do not allow impaired nurses to practice."
3. "Many state boards of nursing require an impaired nurse to successfully complete counseling treatment programs prior to a return to work."
4. "After a return to practice, a recovering nurse may be closely monitored for several years."

Answer 1

2
Rationale: Several state boards of nursing have passed diversionary laws that allow impaired nurses to avoid disciplinary action by agreeing to seek treatment. This may require successful completion of inpatient, outpatient, group, or individual counseling treatment program(s); evidence of regular attendance at nurse support groups or 12-step program; random negative drug screens; and employment or volunteer activities during the suspension period. When a nurse is deemed safe to return to practice, he or she may be closely monitored for several years and required to undergo random drug screenings.