The American Nurses Association estimates that 6-8% of nurses use alcohol or drugs to the extent sufficient to impair their professional performance and could pose a risk to the public. When such a risk is reported to the OSBN and an investigation is completed, the Board may:
- Dismiss the case if no violation of the Nurse Practice Act is determined.
- Discipline the license of the nurse or nursing assistant. Frequently, the license is placed on Probation. This requires the nurse to fulfill the requirements of the probation order to maintain their license. This discipline is a public document and is posted on the OSBN website.
- Allow the nurse or nursing assistant to participate in the Health Professionals' Services Program (HPSP). The HPSP is Oregon's alternative to discipline program for eligible healthcare professionals, run by a third-party vendor. Participation in the HPSP is confidential and is not considered discipline; if the participant successfully completes the program, no public document will be created.