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A Union for Nurses, by Nurses
Nurse Assistance Programs
Dear NYPNU RN,
If you or a co-worker are experiencing any problems with substance abuse, you can call the union office for confidential assistance. We will be here to support and advise you.
However, if you feel more comfortable handling this matter on your own, please feel free to contact any of these agencies that we have worked with in the past.
Thank You
NYPNU
St. Luke's Roosevelt's Treatment Services
Nurses Helping Nurses
Chemical dependency among health care workers is one of the most serious problems in health care today. Nurses, like everyone else, are not immune to becoming chemically dependent themselves, yet tragically they are often ignored or punished. Rarely impaired nurses receive appropriate assessment, intervention and treatment.
The Addiction Institute of New York's Nurses Helping Nurses Program is unique in that it is
- Nurse designed
- Nurse structured
- Nurse facilitated
Nurses are not unique in being chemically dependent but they do have special problems
- Resulting from access to potent narcotic medications
- Relating to assessment and referral
- Regarding their ability to accept themselves as a caregiver in need of care themselves
- Regarding re-entry back into the workplace after treatment stabilization
- Regarding the legal and financial consequences of their chemical dependency
Basic Program
- Complete evaluation
- Assignment to the appropriate level of care
- Group therapy with other nurses in recovery
- Additional group therapy and/or individual psychotherapy as needed
- Psychiatric services
Special Services
- Complete liaison services with all state regulatory agencies
- Urine tests and other monitoring required by state regulatory agencies and/or employers
- Referrals for financial assistance
- Immediate access to all medical and psychiatric services at St. Luke's - Roosevelt Hospital
For Information Contact please go to http://www.addictioninstituteny.org/
NYSNA's SPAN Program
NURSES HELPING NURSES
The Statewide Peer Assistance for Nurses (SPAN) program was created by NYSNA in 1992 to provide resources for nurses whose practice was in danger of being impacted because of the use of alcohol or other drugs. In 2000, a state law established the program for all RNs and LPNs in the state. NYSNA was awarded the state contract to administer the SPAN program in 2001. SPAN is NYSNA program but the program serves all New York State nurses, even if you are not a member of NYSNA.
The SPAN program is a free resource for individual nurses who are affected by an alcohol or drug-related problem and related mental health problems. The program is also a resource for schools, organizations, agencies, and healthcare facilities concerned about the effects of alcoholism or drug addiction on the nursing workforce.
The Professional Assistance Program (PAP): Established pursuant to Section 6510-b, Article 130, Title VIII, of the New York State Education Law. PAP is a resource for licensed professionals who “may be temporarily incapacitated for the active practice of a profession”…“and whose alleged incapacity is the result of a problem of drug or alcohol abuse which has not resulted in harm to a patient or a client... .” Professionals may voluntarily and confidentially surrender their licenses. PAP makes it possible for licensed professionals to seek treatment without being subject to professional discipline charges. This immunity is limited to:
The SPAN Program is separate from the PAP Program. SPAN assists nurses who are faced with the challenges of recovering from addiction and, at the same time, salvaging their professional lives. The program is there to benefit the nurse, not the state regulatory agencies, and will provide help tailored to the individual nurse. Span is a NYSNA program but if offers it's services to all New York State Nurses even if you are not a NYSNA member.
There is no charge to the nurse for this service. Funding for the program is provided by a surcharge on all RN and LPN license registrations, and the program is administered through the New York State Department of Education.
MAKING A REFERRAL TO SPAN
The SPAN program is a free resource for individual nurses who are affected by an alcohol or drug-related problem and related mental health problems. The program is also a resource for schools, organizations, agencies, and healthcare facilities concerned about the effects of alcoholism or drug addiction on the nursing workforce.
Two offices within the State Education Department (SED) have specific functions relating to impaired nursing practice: the Office of Professional Discipline and the Professional Assistance Program:
The Office of Professional Discipline (OPD): OPD investigates and prosecutes licensed professionals charged with mental or physical impairment, incompetence, malpractice or misconduct, including accusations of patient harm. The licensed professional charged with an offense through OPD can anticipate involvement with this disciplinary system for the duration of an investigation. If a license is revoked, a licensee must wait a minimum of three (3) years before applying for license restoration.The Professional Assistance Program (PAP): Established pursuant to Section 6510-b, Article 130, Title VIII, of the New York State Education Law. PAP is a resource for licensed professionals who “may be temporarily incapacitated for the active practice of a profession”…“and whose alleged incapacity is the result of a problem of drug or alcohol abuse which has not resulted in harm to a patient or a client... .” Professionals may voluntarily and confidentially surrender their licenses. PAP makes it possible for licensed professionals to seek treatment without being subject to professional discipline charges. This immunity is limited to:
The SPAN Program is separate from the PAP Program. SPAN assists nurses who are faced with the challenges of recovering from addiction and, at the same time, salvaging their professional lives. The program is there to benefit the nurse, not the state regulatory agencies, and will provide help tailored to the individual nurse. Span is a NYSNA program but if offers it's services to all New York State Nurses even if you are not a NYSNA member.
There is no charge to the nurse for this service. Funding for the program is provided by a surcharge on all RN and LPN license registrations, and the program is administered through the New York State Department of Education.
MAKING A REFERRAL TO SPAN
Any nurse, manager, administrator, union representative, colleague, friend, or relative of a nurse may contact SPAN if they are uneasy about a nurse’s alcohol or other drug use by calling our toll-free (in NY and NJ) helpline at 800.45.SPAN1 (800.457.7261).In other states, call 518.782.9400, Ext. 265. A SPAN staff member will contact a caller within one business day.
Once the nurse in question contacts SPAN, a Regional Coordinator (RC) will meet with them to complete an assessment and determine what services and/or linkages will be a priority. Often the SPAN staff will accompany nurses to their first peer support group and introduce them to colleagues with similar issues.
Nurses who wish to participate in SPAN must sign a participation agreement and a release of information form. SPAN contacts are confidential to the extent authorized by law. No information is disclosed without the signed permission of the participant.
As of 2009, there are 6 Regional Coordinators who cover various regions in New York State. The Regional Coordinators supervise 25 peer support groups that have been established throughout New York State. One goal of the SPAN program is to have a support group within one hours’ drive of every nurse.
The Professional Assistance Program (PAP): The Professional Assistance Program (PAP) assists professionals who have substance abuse problems, but who have not harmed patients or clients. Such professionals may voluntarily surrender their licenses while receiving treatment rather than face charges of professional misconduct. All applications to the program are confidential.
A three-member panel of the Committee for Professional Assistance interviews applicants for admission to PAP and considers petitions for license restoration. A member of the State Board for the profession of the licensee whose case is being considered is also present to help address issues which may be specific to that profession. The meetings are informal and confidential, and no transcript is made.
The criteria for admission to the PAP include:
A three-member panel of the Committee for Professional Assistance interviews applicants for admission to PAP and considers petitions for license restoration. A member of the State Board for the profession of the licensee whose case is being considered is also present to help address issues which may be specific to that profession. The meetings are informal and confidential, and no transcript is made.
The criteria for admission to the PAP include:
- total abstinence from all mood-altering substances including alcohol;
- temporary, voluntary surrender of the professional license;
- participation in treatment at an agency approved by the PAP; and
- an agreement to be monitored by the PAP for at least two years after reinstatement of the license.
- Monitoring includes toxicology reports, work-site reports, and random observed drug screens at specified frequencies. Other conditions may apply as appropriate to the individual situation and the recommendations of the treatment provider.
WHEN CAN THE LICENSEE RETURN TO WORK?
Ideally, readiness to return to work is mutually determined by the treatment provider and the nurse. Re-entry into practice involves the determination of the:
- license status;
- employer policies regarding re-entry;
- nurse’s substance(s) of abuse; and
- work restrictions or limitations of the licensee
- One major recommendation is that the nurse not be assigned to high-stress situations upon returning to work.
- Nurses may not have surrendered their licenses while in treatment, and for these individuals, recommendations and follow-up by treatment professionals may be crucial in the difference between relapse and maintaining sobriety.
Nurses who are accepted in the PAP program are monitored for a minimum of 2 years after they return to work by a workplace monitor and a toxicology monitor. The nurse also may have a treatment monitor.
NYS Department of Health Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement (BNE):The Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement is concerned with unlawful use of controlled substances. BNE representatives may investigate suspicions of the theft or diversion of controlled substances in any setting. BNE investigators report to OPD findings that implicate a licensed professional.
For nurses who have surrendered licenses, understanding PAP’s regulations and monitoring assist treatment staff, as well as the recovering nurse, to pursue recovery and resume their practice.
For further information to help yourself, a colleague, or a friend, telephone or write the Professional Assistance Program at:
Professional Assistance Program
80 Wolf Road
Suite 204
Albany, New York 12205-2643
518-474-3817, ext. 480 (voice)
518-485-9378 (fax)
Email: pap@mail.nysed.gov
©www.nysna.org
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