Impaired Nurses: How to Detect and Redirect

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What is an impaired nurse? An impaired nurse is a nurse whose practice has deteriorated due to chemical abuse, alcohol abuse, or mental illness. There are different types of impairments that can impact a nurse and they may even overlap. Impaired nurses can be detected through various methods but the most noticeable way to detect them is through recognition of signs and symptoms of impairment. After an impaired nurse is detected, there are measures to redirect them. Ways to redirect an impaired nurse vary. This paper will discuss the types of impaired nurses, ways to detect impairments, and ways to redirect them.

Types of impairments include alcohol abuse and addiction, drug abuse and addiction, and mental illness. Nursing can be a rewarding profession; however, it can also be extremely demanding and stressful. This can contribute to impairments, such as alcohol and substance abuse (Kunyk & Austin, 2012). Types of impaired nurses are not limited to just alcohol and substance abusers. Some nurses suffer from mental illnesses, which can impair their nursing practice. Impaired nurses may have multiple addictions and impairments hindering their nursing practice (Guidelines for managers of impaired nurses, 2009).

Detection of impaired nurses is extremely important. There is a necessity for education of nurses about impairments to raise awareness for early detection of impaired nurses. These nurses are not only harming themselves and putting their career in danger, but they are putting patient safety at risk. This can lead to negative patient outcomes (Servodidio, 2011). It is imperative that nurses are made aware of the reporting requirements for their state board of nursing and those of the facility that employs ...

... middle of paper ...

...k. The bottom line is that impaired nurses should be detected and redirected so that they can return to practicing nursing as safely as possible.

Works Cited

Guidelines for managers of impaired nurses. (2009). ISNA Bulletin, 35(3), 8-12.

Kunyk, D., & Austin, W. (2012). Nursing under the influence: A relational ethics perspective. Nursing Ethics, 19(3), 380-389. doi:10.1177/0969733011406767

Monroe, T., & Kenaga, H. (2011). Don't ask don't tell: substance abuse and addiction among nurses. Journal Of Clinical Nursing, 20(3/4), 504-509. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2702.2010.03518.x

Servodidio, C. A. (2011). Alcohol Abuse in the Workplace and Patient Safety. Clinical Journal Of Oncology Nursing, 15(2), 143-145. doi:10.1188/11.CJON.143-145

Zerwekh, J., & Garneau, A. (2014). Nursing today transition and trends. (7th ed., pp. 429-430). Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders Co.

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