Most insurance plans will cover either all or a portion of the treatment.
Content Reviewed By:
SUD treatment executive, national news contributor & keynote speaker.
Navigation:
- Overview
- Why Nurses Need Their Own Specialized Rehab Programs
- How Do Rehab Programs for Nurses Work?
- Can I Get Fired for Going to Rehab?
- Signs You May Need Help
- Reclaim Your Career and Get the Help You Need Now
- Additional Mental Health Resources for Nurses
Overview
Nurses are on the front lines of healthcare, engaging with patients face to face perhaps more than any other healthcare professional. They put everything they have into their jobs and are usually the ones administering day-to-day care and comfort to their patients, especially in hospitals and inpatient settings. They work longer hours than practically any other clinician and run on all cylinders throughout their shifts.
Unfortunately the intense pressures, punishing schedules, and high-stakes nature of their work also puts nurses on the front lines of addiction, often forcing them to cope with the rigors of their careers by drinking or using prescription or illicit drugs. Nurses continue to be among the most vulnerable professionals to substance use, due to career-related stressors as well as increased access to prescription drugs.
In response to this epidemic, many treatment centers have developed programs that provide specialized and targeted behavioral care for members of the nursing profession.
Why Nurses Need Their Own Specialized Rehab Programs
The physical and emotional stress that nurses experience is unlike that of any other professional, in healthcare or in general. They’re forced to make critical decisions in high-pressure situations; are overwhelmed by patient caseloads; and have to be ready at a moment’s notice to provide care for patients crisis, extreme pain, and debilitating sickness. The pressure they face as well as the toll their work takes on their bodies and central nervous systems is something only other members of their profession can understand.
How Do Rehab Programs for Nurses Work?
When nurses succumb to alcohol or drug abuse, as so many unfortunately do, they not only need clinical and behavioral treatment that can address their unique challenges, but also a program that can provide a path to career preservation so they can resume their calling after they get help. Specialized nurse rehab programs offer a personalized approach to care, including medical detox and withdrawal management (if applicable) as well as comprehensive behavioral rehab to address the root causes and sustaining factors associated with their conditions. As they’re completing their programs, patients will work with case managers who will help ensure continued compliance with their programs so they can document and verify their readiness to return to work after they’ve satisfied all requirements.
Can I Get Fired for Going to Rehab?
It’s important to realize that nursing boards generally prioritize rehabilitation over punishment. While termination is certainly possible for egregious and repetitive violations, nurses can usually return to their careers if they choose to accept help and do the work of recovery.
Whether your license has been suspended or is in danger of being revoked, treatment can help to ensure that you’re in good standing after you’ve completed your program.
While each case is different, some of the conditions with which nurses may be expected to comply after their treatment program include:
- Proof of Abstinence – Patients will generally need to provide independent medical assessments, consistent urine/blood test screens, and verified recovery meeting attendance.
- Proof of Treatment Completion – Comprehensive documentation of personal and professional rehabilitation, including treatment records, continuing education, and character reference letters, will be required.
- Sobriety Agreements or Contracts – Patients may be placed on a monitoring contract ranging anywhere from two to five years. These agreements include random drug screenings, mandatory support groups, and limits on accessing narcotics or working certain shifts.
For nurses who have had their licenses suspended, there may be a mandatory waiting period following their reinstatement. This may range from one to two years, depending on the nature of the violation and the frequency of discipline.
Signs You May Need Help
While each person’s addiction and treatment journey are unique, some of the more common signs that substance use is jeopardizing your career include but are not limited to:
- Going to work or caring patients under the influence of alcohol or other drugs
- Increased absences and prolonged breaks
- Neglecting patient, personal, and colleague safety
- Neglecting personal hygiene and appearance
- Preoccupation or fixation on drinking or using drugs
Recognizing and addressing these issues can help you minimize professional and personal risk. While many nurses don’t consider getting help until their substance use becomes impossible to ignore or glaringly jeopardizes patient safety, you don’t have to wait until it’s too late.
Reclaim Your Career and Get the Help You Need Now
You got into nursing for a reason. You’re a born healer who has spent your entire professional life taking care of people. Now that you need help, there’s no shame in asking for help for yourself. Don’t let drugs or alcohol take away your ability to care for your patients. Get help now, get back to being the dedicated healer you’ve always been.
