Extended Evaluation Program - EEP

The Board has more information about the Extended Evaluation Program in their current newsletter. The article explains the basis for the program:

The EEP is primarily intended for nurses who have a one-time positive drug test without any other practice issues and who fail to receive a substance abuse or substance dependency diagnosis. Previously, when RNs and LVNs were reported to TPAPN by third-parties and failed to receive an abuse or dependency diagnosis they were ineligible for TPAPN participation and were subject to possible licensure investigation and action by the BON.

Please do not rely upon the availability of this program and take the risk of taking unprescribed medications or drinking prior, even the night before, a drug screen. The Board extends its concern to many areas that you may not initially consider to be within the scope of nursing practice. For example, a pre-employment screen where you are not working as a nurse when giving the screen, but if the screen comes back positive, you will be under the Board's scrutiny. Many nurses wish that they could go back in time and make a different decision when they borrowed their friend's medication and took it or went out to a party the night before they had to give a screen. Caution will help to avoid future headaches.