Quarterly Reports

NAP Program Description and Purpose

The purpose of the program is to offer eligible licensees the opportunity to enter a monitoring program and subject themselves to close supervision in order to continue working as, or regain licensure, as a nurse. A licensee may be referred to the NAP program through their supervisor, the Montana Board of Nursing, or may refer themselves if they experience problems with alcohol and/or drugs and suspect they are in need of monitoring. Licensees that self refer or are referred by their supervisor and have not had nurse practice issues may enter NAP and be considered blind to the BON. However, if further issues arise, the ‘blind’ licensee will be reported to the BON.

The program offers two tracks of participation:

DISCIPLINARY TRACK:

The participant in the Nurses Assistance Program may be mandated as a part of disciplinary action by the Board of Nursing. A licensee may choose to participate in this track of NAP as an alternative to or in conjunction with other administrative proceedings.

Admission Criteria:

  1. Any licensed nurse in the state of Montana who has violated the statutes and rules related to nursing practice which involved alcohol and/or other mood altering drugs and whom the BON has stipulated NAP as a part of disciplinary action.
  2. The licensee agrees to abide by the terms of NAP.

Program Requirements:

  1. Licensee agrees to any evaluations necessary in order to determine treatment and monitoring needs while a part of NAP.
  2. Licensee complies with the NAP monitoring contract which includes treatment as clinically appropriate, continuing care treatment as appropriate, work performance supervision and random urine testing.
  3. All costs for treatment and monitoring will be the responsibility of the licensee.
  4. The licensee is required to actively participate in all aspects of their treatment plan.
  5. All treatment facilities and counseling professionals used in completing evaluations and treatment plans must be licensed by State governing bodies and approved by NAP.
  6. Quarterly reports required from licensees and submitted to NAP will be presented to the BON.
  7. Licensee understands that NAP will report noncompliance or the suspected inability to practice safe nursing to the BON.

Discharge Criteria:

  1. Licensee successfully completes terms of their NAP contract and/or BON stipulations.
  2. Licensee fails to comply with the terms of the NAP contract.
  3. Licensee fails to show evidence of rehabilitation and ability to function as a nurse.
  4. Licensee has committed further offenses against the statutes and rules related to nursing which results in further disciplinary action.
  5. Licensee has violated stipulations and disciplinary actions established by the BON which results in suspension or revocation of license.

NONDISCIPLINARY TRACK:

Admission Criteria:

  1. Any licensed nurse in the state of Montana who is involved with alcohol and/or drug abuse who desires rehabilitation assistance.
  2. Licensee agrees to evaluations necessary to determine treatment and monitoring needs.
  3. Treatment and monitoring needs of the licensee are appropriate for admission to NAP.
  4. Licensee cooperates with NAP by providing medical information and release of information and liability authorizations.
  5. Licensee agrees to comply with the NAP contract which includes treatment, continuing care requirements, work performance supervision and random urine testing.
  6. Licensee has not had any previous disciplinary action from a licensing board (except where approved by the BON).
  7. Licensee is not currently facing charges under notice of proposed BON action issued by a licensing Board.
  8. If previously involved in the NAP or any other such assistance program, the licensee must have complied in all material respects with such program.
  9. Licensee has not had nursing practice issues involving death or significant harm to a patient.
  10. Licensee has not had evidence of diversion of controlled substances or caution legend drugs for the purpose of sale or distribution.

Program Requirements:

  1. Licensee must comply with NAP treatment plan and contract.
  2. All costs for treatment and monitoring will be the responsibility of the licensee.
  3. Licensee actively participates in the treatment plan.
  4. All treatment facilities and counseling professionals used in completing evaluations and treatment plans must be licensed by State governing bodies and approved by NAP.
  5. Licensee understands that NAP will report noncompliance or the suspected inability to practice safe nursing to the BON.

Discharge Requirements:

  1. Licensee successfully completes the program and terms of NAP contract.
  2. Licensee fails to comply with the terms of the NAP contract and is subsequently reported to the BON.
  3. Licensee voluntarily removes self from NAP.
  4. If the licensee terminates NAP contract for any reason, the BON will be notified.

Forms