Rule 30-2826-1.1 - DefinitionsFor 2826 only, the following terms have the meanings indicated:
A. Alternative Program: A confidential and non-disciplinary program for eligible nurse applicants designed to promote early identification of substance use/abuse and/or mental health issues; removal from nursing practice and entry into treatment; and for monitoring of compliance upon re-entry into nursing practice.B. Assessment: A formal substance use/abuse evaluation conducted by a Board-approved licensed provider who is certified and/or credentialed in substance use disorders/abuse to render a diagnosis, course of treatment, prescribe recommended treatment, prognosis and professional opinion as to whether or not the nurse applicant is capable of practicing nursing with reasonable skill and safety to patients. The evaluation may include a complete physical and psychosocial assessment performed by a Board-approved licensed or certified medical, mental health or psychological specialist.C. Board/ MSBN: Mississippi Board of Nursing.D. Computation of Time: Unless indicated otherwise, when the period is stated in days or a longer unit of time:1) Exclude the day of the event that triggers the period;2) Count every day, including intermediate Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays; and3) Include the last day of the period, but if the last day is a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday as set forth in Mississippi state statute, the period continues to run until the end of the next day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday.E. Drug and Alcohol Screens: Periodic unannounced screens that will test for drugs abused by submission of nurse applicant's blood, urine, body fluid testing, hair testing, saliva or any other valid and reliable method of testing.F. Eligibility Committee: Committee composed of MnVP staff, Board Member(s) and/or treatment provider(s).G. Employer Reports: Reports required from employer demonstrating nurse applicant's work performance.H. Medication Verification Form: A form required from healthcare provider disclosing any medications currently taking.I. MnVP: Mississippi Nurse Voluntary Program.J. Nurse Applicant: A nurse who is eligible to apply to or has been accepted into MnVP.K. Employer Acknowledgement Agreement: A required agreement between the nurse applicant and Supervisor incorporated within nurse applicant's MnVP monitoring agreement.L. Self-Reports: A report completed by the nurse applicant detailing the nurse applicant's symptoms, behaviors, beliefs and/or attitudes of continued sobriety and recovery recommendations.M. Supervisor: Employer or Employer designee.N. PEER Support Meetings: Meetings that require a minimum attendance of three (3) meetings a week to support a nurse applicant's continued sobriety and compliance with recovery and/or treatment recommendations.O. Treatment Program: The treatment program shall be a Board-approved substance use disorder/mental health/physical treatment program. Participant shall cause the treatment program to submit to the Board proof of participant's entry into a primary intensive alcohol/drug and/or mental health treatment program in accordance with the recommendations made during the evaluation process which may include inpatient treatment, outpatient treatment, halfway house, residential long-term treatment and/or a combination thereof. Participant shall also cause the program to provide the Board with documentation concerning participant's successful completion of the program, readiness to return to the safe practice of nursing, and recommendations and arrangements for appropriate follow-up. Should participant, for any reason, fail to comply with this stipulation, such shall be grounds for discharge from MnVP and disciplinary action. Participant shall not be employed as a nurse until completion of the primary phase of the treatment program, and the treatment team supports participant's return to nursing practice.30 Miss. Code. R. 2826-1.1
Miss. Code Ann. §§ 73-15-17, 73-15-29(2)(5) (1972, as amended).