More than a dozen chief nursing officers and other member guests attended a unique briefing on the California Board of Registered Nursing’s intervention and probation program on Dec. 1. The program provides an alternative to disciplinary action for nurses dealing with drug, alcohol and mental health issues.

The presentation took place at this month’s meeting of HASC’s Nursing Advisory Council.

Guests included Dr. Joseph Morris, the BRN’s executive director. The California program is unique and serves as a model for programs in other states, Morris related. All BRN procedures and guidelines are ultimately about guaranteeing patient safety in the state’s hospitals and medical facilities, he explained.

BRN Intervention Program Manager Don Walker gave attendees an outline of program rules and procedures. Program Project Manager (an employee of government services contractor Maximus Inc.) Virginia Matthews attended by phone and answered attendees’ questions.

The December session followed HASC-sponsored BRN intervention program seminars held in Los Angeles and the Inland Empire in April, and in San Diego in September.

HASC’s Nursing Advisory Council holds its next meeting in February. The date is to be determined.

The Nursing Advisory Council works to advance effective nursing administration across the region. It provides a forum for nursing issues, promotes educational programs and seeks to reinforce the professional image of nurses and nursing.

Contact:
Teri Hollingsworth
(213) 538-0763
thollingsworth@hasc.org