[heart4god828]

I have a family member who is an LPN at a nursing home and she needs to go to rehab. My question is if she does go to rehab will she loose her LPN license?

[William1472]

Much is dependent upon whether treatment is being REQUIRED by the employer or the courts. Times have changed: most facilities are quite supportive of their employees seeking assistence, and are willing to work with said employee in this regard. Drug/alcohol treatment would typically falls under "medical or personal leave," and are covered by many insurance carriers. If insurance is not available, the individual's community has programs or resources to help him/her to get the treatment needed.

[Fr_Chuck]

And is it drug or alcohol can make a difference. But yes many places of business have formal programs for their employees with problems

[DrBill100]

LPNs are licensed in all states and it is only the state licensing authority that can suspend or revoke a professional license. Substance abuse is a common problem amongst nurses and doctors and seldom results in revocation. However, it is wise to read up on the statutes and code of state regulations (in your state) in order to understand how to approach the situation.

[heart4god828]

The problem is meth use and her employer doesn't know, I think she wants to keep it that way but if she will loose her license there is no way I will get her to agree to go to rehab!

[William1472]

To heart4god - If she is a nurse using methamphetamines, then she is a risk to the safety and well-being of her patients. An individual can't stay up for two or three nights in a row and still possess the mental capacity to perform as a nurse must, to respond to a crisis, tabulate dosages accurately, etc.--It is difficult to convince an addict that they help.
Personally, I would place the safety of her patients above her comfort.

[DrBill100]

Following is a link that provides resources for nurses with substance abuse problems. This identifies contacts for the many states including advocates for the nurse in the process.

Nursefriendly Chemical Dependence, Substance Abuse
Impaired Nurses

[excon]

the problem is meth use and her employer doesn't know

Hello heart:

IF she does this on her own, her employer CAN'T find out. She's protected by HIPAA, even if her employer based health insurance pays for it. I don't know how she's going to handle the time off, though. At worst, it'll cost her her job, but not her license.

excon

[heart4god828]

Thank you all for your answers she has agreed to go