Risk Factors
Moving patients, long shifts, or injuries can leave your body feeling this.
What is sore or exhausted?
Mistakes in documentation, like opioid entries or unexplained missing drugs, are serious examples of this.
What are documentation errors?
By addressing impairment early, both nurses and patients are better protected from these.
What is harm?
This emotional response often leads nurses to avoid seeking help, as they fear being seen as weak or flawed.
What is shame or guilt?
These programs, often found in healthcare and other high-stress fields, aim to support employees and improve job satisfaction.
What are Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs)?
This common cause of workplace mental strain can result from long shifts, overtime, and limited resources.
What is work stress or stress?
A nurse or doctor who avoids team lunches or conversations may be experiencing this.
What is isolation from coworkers?
According to the American Journal of Nursing (AJN), this is the effect of impairment on professional judgment.
What is compromised professional judgment?
Nurses should always do this when they observe signs of impairment in a colleague, ensuring patient safety.
What is recognize and report impairment safely and ethically?
Regularly scheduled educational sessions on topics like stress management and substance abuse are often provided through these programs.
What are educational sessions or workshops?
Professionals with easy access to medications and the knowledge to use them improperly may be at risk of this.
What is self-medication or substance misuse?
A nurse notes that an UAP has arrived late for work and appears disheveled, with bloodshot eyes and slurred speech. This UAP has a history of tardiness and forgetfulness. What is the appropriate action by the nurse?
Report the UAP to the nursing supervisor for suspected chemical impairment =
This condition occurs when a nurse’s ability to work safely or effectively is compromised.
What is impairment?
This is key to patient safety and professional integrity?
What is Impairment recognition?
By offering support and rehabilitation, the IPN helps maintain this in the healthcare system.
What is patient safety?
Being tired or distracted at work can make you more likely to make this with medications or treatments.
What are errors or mistakes?
Having these in place makes reporting and managing suspected impairment clear and consistent.
What are policies and procedures?
Impairment can result from these factors, which disrupt a nurse’s performance.
What are substance use, mental health issues, or fatigue?
Nurses often avoid treatment due to fearing that seeking help could harm this?
What is career?
The IPN provides programs designed to help nurses safely do this after recovery.
What is return to practice?
Poor judgment or loss of focus at work can make patient care feel this.
What is unsafe?
Understanding signs, avoiding enabling behaviors, and following policies helps ensure this at work.
What is safe and effective patient care?
Nurses who recognize and address impairment are helping maintain this essential part of their role in healthcare.
What is professionalism or patient trust?
You will do this to pass your Leadership ATI Proctored?
What is VATI and Practice questions?
Florida’s IPN focuses on this approach to help nurses before problems worsen.
What is early intervention?