I intend to take my nursing license exam in the state of Massachusetts. This is not a Nurse Licensure Comact State. The application can be submitted online via their state nursing website. Both a certificate of graduation and an official transcript is required by the state in order to apply for a license. From the application form, it appears that we do need to fill out a child protective services background check request form. However, it does not mention a need for fingerprinting. The Massachusetts State Board of Nursing authorizes staff who have substantial evidence of potential impairment from their coworker, can initiate steps towards a substance addiction recovery program. Evidence can include a positive toxicology screening, or a report that was made as documentation that another party had witnessed impairment of the individual. The nurse will receive a letter stating that they are not allowed to practice in the nursing field, and must inform their employer immediately. A hearing will then be made to determine the worker’s eligibility to be placed in a recovery program and/or face charges. Nursing privileges will be suspended for at least twelve months after the report was filed. The worker must then join a recovery program and will remain on a probationary watch for at least three years after the occurrence. If there is no compliance, the worker will have their license terminated (Massachusetts). In order to protect myself as a worker in the future, I have learned that documentation and appropriate nursing practice are key to avoiding legal action such as mentioned in the prompts. Appropriate documentation is very important as all documents are forms of legal paperwork. If a patient were to miss a medication that they were supposed to take during your shift, you need to document your reasoning behind withholding the medication. Otherwise, that can be legally used against you and you can risk losing your license. It is also important to understand your healthcare setting’s policies and regulations so that you know exactly how to provide appropriate nursing care. If you fail to abide by that setting’s rules, then you also risk being charged with unsafe practices. I feel that those two aspects are the most important in order to provide the best quality of care to our patients.

References:

Board of Registration in Nursing Substance Addiction Recovery Program … (n.d.). Retrieved March 28, 2023, from https://www.mass.gov/doc/unauthorized-substance-use-or-impairment-during-program-participation-policy-06-01-0/download

Massachusetts Registered Nurse (RN) by First Time Exam: U.S. educated. PCSHQ Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing. (n.d.). Retrieved March 28, 2023, from https://manurse.pcshq.com/info/rn-exam/