Can You Lose Your Nursing License If You Seek Substance Abuse Treatment?
It’s not easy to work a job in the medical field. Dealing with patients can be draining. Not only are they stressed out, but nurses, doctors, and other medical professionals often work extremely long shifts (12 hours or more), so they’re exhausted. To stay alert or calm their nerves, many medical professionals turn to substance abuse.
This can seem ironic. Doctors and nurses are supposed to help those with medical issues. They’re supposed to practice what they preach and be healthy. So what happens when they’re not? What happens when they suffer from alcohol or drug issues?
Surprisingly, medical professionals struggle with alcohol abuse and addiction at rates that are higher than the general public. This can lead to a variety of issues. Substance abuse can have devastating effects on one’s professional life as well as their health, relationships, and finances.
Dealing with a drug or alcohol problem can be a challenging situation for anyone. It’s especially difficult for doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals because they may be worried about legal and licensing troubles. They may wonder if they will lose their license if anyone finds out.
Drugs and alcohol can ruin your reputation at work, so if you do decide to get treatment, you’re moving in the right direction. Fortunately, there are various treatment options available.
You should know that most states have organizations to help nurses, doctors, and other healthcare workers get the help they need. It’s always a good idea for healthcare providers to enter addiction treatment when they realize they have a problem. With the right treatment, they can restore their health while protecting their careers and licenses.
There are several organizations that nurses can look into to get substance abuse treatment, such as:
- Professionals Resource Network (PRN)
- Professional Assistance Programs (PAP)
- Intervention Project for Nurses (IPN)
Do not be afraid to seek out these treatment programs. Most license denials are due to untreated drug abuse, so you want to make sure you get your addiction under control. The success rate of continuing recovery is very high among healthcare professionals who have used these assistance programs.
You may be concerned that finding treatment will result in your license being revoked. Participation in an approved rehabilitation program through PRN should be secure. When a person enters treatment voluntarily, the state board of licensure is not informed unless they do not comply with the recovery plan.
Keep Your License With Help From a Tampa Nursing License Lawyer
Licensed professionals need to be concerned about morals and ethics. However, they should not have to be concerned about losing their license if they are taking steps to solve their problems, such as substance abuse.
If you are worried about licensing issues, seek legal help from a Tampa nursing license lawyer from The Law Offices of David P. Rankin, P.A. I will use formal and informal methods of dispute resolution to help resolve your disciplinary complaint and other licensing issues. Fill out the online form or call (813) 968-6633 to schedule a consultation today.
