The Intervention Project for Nurses (IPN) is Florida’s program for nurses who have substance use disorders mental health disorders that would, in theory, cause them to be unable to practice nursing with reasonable skill and safety to patients. IPN, and programs like it in every other state, are necessary for nurses who genuinely suffer from such disorders to get treatment and have a path to continue nursing. However, many, if not most, nurses who are accused of impairment, either because of an alleged mental health disorder or substance use disorder, are not truly diagnoseable with such a disorder and thus should not be in such a program.
If you have been referred to Florida IPN or think you might be because of a DUI conviction, positive drug or alcohol test, accusations of drug use or drug diversion, or any other reason, an experienced Florida nursing license defense attorney can help you understand your options and help protect your license. Attorney Jonathan Rose has the experience and expertise you need to negotiate options other than IPN and Board action against your license. He will put his in-depth knowledge of the rules and regulations enforced by the Florida Board of Nursing and IPN to work for you.
Many Florida nurses who do participate in IPN report that they are seen and treated as “impaired” at their current place of employment and whenever they seek other positions. Their career opportunities can thus be limited, and if they leave the program because of the high out-of-pocket costs and huge time commitment, they are reported to the Department of Health as “non-compliant” and could face a formal action against their license.
With these disadvantages in mind, it’s important to realize that the IPN program may not be your only option. There are less intrusive, less expensive private treatment options that can still enable you to keep your nursing license, and an experienced Florida nursing license defense attorney can help negotiate for these options.
Allegations of Impairment While Practicing and Florida IPN Referrals
In many instances, a nurse is accused of diversion of controlled substances by his or her employer or is accused of being impaired while at work. This leads to a request for a “for cause” urinalysis or blood test to determine if the nurse has any substance in their system that could cause impairment or be evidence of diversion. These nurses are referred to IPN and are told any number of horrifying half-truths and mistruths that will occur if they do not participate. The nurse may even be told that his or her license will be revoked if they do not participate. An employer may keep a nurse on unpaid leave for weeks only to terminate the nurse when he or she enters IPN.
Moreover, many workplace issues beyond the control of an individual nurse such as understaffing, problems with medicine administration systems, poor organization of a facility, and even inter-staff grievances can be the actual basis for such allegations. Nurses are frequently overworked and over-stressed, which can lead to fatigue, and many other nurses suffer from physical illnesses which can be interpreted as impairment. And even if the nurse’s drug testing is negative, the alleged impairment will normally be escalated into a referral to IPN and/or the Department of Health.
Pre-Employment Drug Screens
Perhaps even more common is the nurse who tests positive for a controlled substance such as THC or other controlled substance for which the nurse does not have a prescription in a pre-employment drug screen. These nurses will not only be denied employment with the prospective employer, but will directed to self-report to IPN.
The IPN Process
Once contact is made with IPN, the nurse will be directed to be evaluated – at the nurse’s expense – to determine his or her safety to practice by a program-approved provider, who is typically a psychiatrist. Many of these psychiatrists are employed with or have a financial interest in a rehabilitation facility. The provider will render an opinion on the nurse’s ability to practice with skill and safety to patients. If the opinion is that the nurse is unsafe to practice without treatment and/or IPN monitoring, the nurse will be required to voluntarily withdraw from practice for an undetermined period of time. This is typically at least two months and can be much longer depending on the treatment required by IPN. When the treatment is finished, the nurse will be required to enter into a contract with IPN that defines a rigorous treatment regimen for years to come. IPN contracts can be of different lengths, but the typical contract is five years. During this time, you will not be permitted to consume alcohol or controlled substances of any kind, unless specifically approved by IPN. There are many instances in which nurses are forced to stop taking medically necessary prescriptions, including opioid, benzodiazepine, amphetamine, and barbiturate-based medications, despite the prescribing physician’s medical advice.
Independent Medical Evaluations
There are nurses who do truly need this level of rigorous treatment and accountability to be able to practice safely. However, many nurses who are accused of possible impairment do not need treatment or monitoring. For those nurses, Jonathan Rose can refer them to an IPN-qualified psychiatrist to obtain an opinion on their safety to practice. The format of the evaluation and drug testing regimen are the same as one would be subjected to as if the evaluation was done through IPN. Nurses who are deemed safe to practice through this process may be able to avoid IPN participation, and in some instances may be able to avoid any public action being taken against his or her license.
Fight for Your Career with Help from a Trusted Florida Nursing License Defense Attorney
The best way to protect your nursing license and avoid the pitfalls of the IPN program is to consult with an experienced Florida nursing license defense attorney as soon as possible, preferably before you contact IPN Florida and before any licensing action begins. Attorney Jonathan Rose can help prepare your defense and negotiate a more suitable alternative before IPN Florida becomes mandatory.
If you can show the Board that the reported incident was an isolated situation, that you are safe to practice nursing, that you do not need active supervision, and that a lengthy period of monitoring would not benefit you, then you are in a good position to keep your nursing license and protect your career without enduring the restrictions, expense, and long-term monitoring of the standard Florida IPN contract agreement.
Attorney Jonathan Rose will fight for you and your career. He knows that nurses provide essential services to countless patients throughout the state of Florida and values the important, often stressful work you do and the sacrifices you make. He will fight aggressively to protect your reputation, assets, and career and help alleviate the stress of fighting for your nursing license.