About us
Tennessee Professional Assistance Program
545 Mainstream Drive, Suite 414
Nashville, TN 37228-1296
(615) 726-4001
1-888-776-0786
A Confidential Program for Impaired Nurses
Approximately one out of seven nurses in Tennessee will experience a problem with drugs or alcohol, or a psychological or physiological condition that impairs practice at some point in his/her career. All too frequently, their license, their practice, and the public is jeopardized.
Fortunately, chemical dependency and psychological conditions are treatable. Appropriate and effective treatment can save a nurse's career, license, and even his/her life.Warning Signs that may indicate a nurse is experiencing problems:
- Mood swings
- Inappropriate behavior at work
- Frequent days off for implausible reasons
- Non-compliance with acceptable policies and procedures
- Deteriorating appearance
- Deteriorating job performance
- Sloppy, illegible charting; errors in charting
- Alcohol on breath
- Forgetfulness
- Poor judgment and concentration
- Lying
All calls about suspected impaired practitioners are kept confidential to the extent possible while the situation is investigated and if warranted, the nurse is encouraged to obtain an evaluation.The Tennessee Board of Nursing has authorized the Tennessee Nurses Professional Assistance Program to be considered a "proper channel" in the reporting of a chemically, psychologically, and/or physiologically impaired nurse, in lieu of a formal report to the Tennessee Health Related Boards Department of Investigations.