Nursing is a very demanding profession. Those hoping to work as nurses must meet very strict educational requirements. They have to pass state tests and background checks. They are subject to high performance standards after accepting positions with medical companies.
Nurses must generally commit to continuing their education and to providing appropriate care for their patients. Mistakes that nurses make on the job or in their personal lives could potentially put their nursing licenses and their future career prospects at risk. Criminal convictions and negligence on the job can potentially lead to disciplinary action, possibly including the suspension or revocation of a nurse’s license.
Allegations of substance abuse could also endanger a nurse’s license.
Addiction is common in nursing
Long shifts, challenging job responsibilities, physical injuries related to patient care and stressful workplace experiences, such as the loss of a patient, may leave nurses struggling to cope with their career choices. Some nurses begin self-medicating in response to their emotional stress or physical pain.
Nurses are in a position to divert drugs from patients, and research shows they were responsible for roughly 30% of reported drug diversion in 2020. They can also potentially use their professional connections to physicians and other professionals to secure prescriptions that they may not actually require.
In scenarios where nurses face allegations of diverting a patient’s medication, they could be at risk of job loss and a variety of professional consequences. Even in cases where nurses have not yet let their substance abuse affect patient care, criminal charges or complaints filed with the Indiana State Board of Nursing might lead to an investigation.
Investigations may culminate in disciplinary hearings, and nurses could be at risk of career setbacks if they cannot defend themselves successfully against the claims of substance abuse or professional misconduct. Nurses facing criminal charges have the right to legal representation. Those at risk of disciplinary action brought by the Indiana State Board of Nursing also have the right to acquire legal representation.
Having an attorney assist while defending a nursing license can take some of the pressure off of a nurse. Appropriate advocacy may increase a nurse’s chances of retaining their license and continuing their career. Acknowledging and addressing substance abuse challenges can potentially help nurses avoid permanent career setbacks.