Nursing Jurisprudence and Ethics for Texas Nurses Practice Exam

When a nurse is suspended from practice due to a substance use disorder, what is typically required for reinstatement?

1. Offering free nursing services to the community for a year

2. Payment of a $5000 fine

3. Completion of a nursing ethics course

4. Proof of rehabilitation and sustained sobriety

The correct answer is: Offering free nursing services to the community for a year

The path to reinstatement for a nurse suspended due to a substance use disorder is primarily centered around demonstrating proof of rehabilitation and sustained sobriety. This requirement reflects the commitment to ensuring the safety of patients and the integrity of the nursing profession. It usually involves evidence of successful completion of a treatment program, ongoing support such as attending 12-step programs, and sometimes regular drug testing to confirm the nurse’s sobriety over a designated period. The focus on rehabilitation and sobriety is crucial because it addresses the core issue of substance use disorder, emphasizing that the nurse has taken significant steps to recover and is equipped to return to practice safely. This requirement underscores the ethical duty of nursing to protect the health and well-being of patients. The other options, while they may seem beneficial, do not address the critical need for rehabilitation and ongoing sobriety monitoring in the context of substance use disorders. Nurses must prioritize personal recovery and demonstrate their capability to practice safely before being reinstated.