RN concerned about disclosure of psychiatric treatment status to authorities

Nurse upset by request to reveal mental health care history

The RN asked an issue concerning the must apply for a license in one other state because her employer, as a case manager, requires all RNs to be licensed within the states where they handle cases. The state council she turned to asked her to reveal details about her psychiatric treatment and medical history. The RN stated that she was very concerned about this request, stating that she voluntarily sought treatment, was on sick leave for a 12 months, was successfully treated, and returned to work while taking her medications. Moreover, she added, is not an individual’s psychiatric history confidential unless a grievance is filed with the State Board? First of all, it will be important to emphasise that, typically, an individual’s psychiatric history is confidential. States and the federal government ensure this through laws corresponding to mental health confidentiality laws HIPAA provisions. As a result, for instance, a treatment facility cannot share any details about your treatment, corresponding to the final result of your treatment or whether you’re still undergoing treatment, unless you give the ability permission to share this information. However, the confidentiality we enjoy under these laws isn’t absolute. For example, for those who are serious about harming one other person and also you share this information along with your therapist, the therapist has a responsibility to take steps to make sure that, as much as possible, that harm is not going to occur. These steps may include discussing your comments along with your psychiatrist, assessing whether you plan to act in your feelings, and, if crucial, notifying law enforcement and/or the person you think you’ve harmed. However, within the RN situation, neither her treatment center nor those that treated her were asked to share her story with management. Rather, the committee asks the RN directly about her psychiatric history. She will subsequently be the one to reveal this information so there will likely be no breach of confidentiality under any law.

As we all know, it’s everyone’s responsibility State Board of Nursing is to guard the general public by ensuring that licensed individuals are competent and protected professionals. As a result, they’ve the facility to ask applicants and people renewing their licenses a big selection of knowledge, including whether the applicant has had a criminal conviction and whether she or he has received mental health care.

Such questions in themselves don’t necessarily mean that an applicant or person looking for to renew their license is not going to be issued a license. Rather, this information is required to accurately assess whether you meet the factors established by your state board to practice your career competently and safely. Often, the committee may need to fulfill with the applicant in person in the event that they have questions on the data provided by the RN. Since reliability and honesty are essential qualities of a nurse, it will be important that the license application is truthful and complete. It is crucial that you just provide all of the required information in order that your situation might be assessed rigorously and the precise licensing decision might be made.

If you’re asked about your psychiatric history when applying for a license in any state, you must approach the next:

Answer the questions truthfully and factually. Include letters from treatment staff who can sincerely support your treatment success. Include a letter of suggestion out of your current employer discussing your nursing practice and job success. Include probably the most recent performance review out of your immediate supervisor. Please note that for those who falsify or intentionally omit required information, the license you’re applying for could also be refused. Consult with a nurse or attorney in your state who can assist you with any required statements, answers to questions, and documents to connect to your application.

Courses related to “Rights and Responsibilities”

The federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act was implemented in 1996 and has been amended since then. HIPAA may discuss with guidelines that protect your ability to keep up medical insurance when moving from job to job or from place to position (“portability”). HIPAA may discuss with efforts to simplify the administration of medical insurance. These efforts include the creation of national standards for diagnostic terms, insurance forms, and provider identification. However, perhaps probably the most common use of the term when referring to healthcare professionals involves protecting the confidentiality and privacy of healthcare information. In this module, you’ll study parts of HIPAA, especially those regarding nurses and other health care professionals and the protection of health care information. Because you play a key role in creating health care information, you play a key role in protecting it. Nurses have a responsibility to stay awake to this point on current issues regarding the regulation of nursing practice, not only of their states but in addition across the country, especially when their nursing practice crosses state borders. Because practicing as a nurse is a right granted by the state to guard those in need of nursing care, nurses have an obligation to patients to practice in a protected, competent and responsible manner. This requires nursing licensees to practice in accordance with the statutes and regulations of their states. This course provides information regarding nursing practices and their impact on nursing practice.

Prepare for the Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing (RN-BC) exam with the RN-BC(R) Certification Review Course.

Nurse.com offers a completely online, self-paced preparation course.