110 likes | 124 Views
Working with Nurses in TPAPN:. What Coworkers Need to Know. Texas Peer Assistance Program for Nurses (TPAPN) A program of the Texas Nurses Foundation. What is TPAPN?. Board of Nursing (BON) approved Alternative, voluntary program for LVNs, RNs
E N D
Working with Nurses in TPAPN: What Coworkers Need to Know Texas Peer Assistance Program for Nurses (TPAPN) A program of the Texas Nurses Foundation
What is TPAPN? • Board of Nursing (BON) approved • Alternative, voluntary program for LVNs, RNs • Available to eligible nurses who may benefit from peer assistance services • Returns nurses back to practice • Promotes professional accountability and protects the public
Confidentiality • Recovery is confidential, but not secret • Protected health information regarding TPAPN participants is protected under Texas State law/HIPAA
Work Restrictions - First 6 Months • No access to abusable medications - e.g. counting narcotics, administering narcotics, witnessing wastage, receipt from pharmacy • No on-call duty
Work Restrictions TPAPN nurses are not approved to work if: • In an autonomous or unsupervised position • Shifts longer than 12 hours • For multiple employers or in self-employed practice • In short-term staffing or work as a traveler • Out of predetermined area (Floating) • More than 96 hours per two week pay period • At various practice sites, without BON approval
Labor Exchange • Supervisors will designate a coworker to handle abusable medications for the TPAPN nurse • In exchange, the TPAPN nurse provides care and treatment for patient(s) assigned to the coworker
Drug Testing • TPAPN nurses may have to leave work for a short time for drug testing • Participants with positive drug screens must immediately discontinue nursing practice
What if I have a concern about a TPAPN participant? • Now:Voice your concerns with your direct supervisor • Later:Educate yourself about TPAPN, substance abuse and psychiatric disorders in the workplace at www.tpapn.org
Teamwork: Nurses Helping Nurses • Employer/Supervisor • Case Manager • Volunteer Nurse Advocate • Sponsor (if in 12-step recovery)
Make a Positive Difference • Ensure your workplace has a TPAPN Advocate • Become an Advocate: volunteer with TPAPN • Be the “peer” in peer assistance and witness positive transformations of the human spirit!
Thank you! www.tpapn.org