What is an impaired nurse? An impaired nurse is a nurse whose practice has deteriorated due to chemical abuse, alcohol abuse, or mental illness. There are different types of impairments that can affect a nurse and they may even overlap. Nurses with disabilities can be detected by a variety of methods, but the most visible way to detect them is by recognizing the signs and symptoms of impairment. Once an intoxicated nurse is detected, steps are taken to redirect them. Ways to redirect an intoxicated nurse vary. This article will discuss the types of deficient nurses, ways to detect deficiencies, and ways to redirect them. Types of impairments include alcohol abuse and dependence, drug abuse and dependence, and mental illness. Nursing can be a rewarding profession; however, it can also be extremely demanding and stressful. This can contribute to impairments, such as alcohol and substance abuse (Kunyk & Austin, 2012). The types of impaired nurses are not limited to just alcoholics and drug addicts. Some nurses suffer from mental illnesses, which can interfere with their nursing practice. Impaired nurses may have multiple dependencies and impairments that interfere with their nursing practice (Guidelines for Managers of Impaired Nurses, 2009). Detection of impaired nurses is extremely important. It is necessary to educate nurses about deficiencies in order to make them aware of the early detection of deficient nurses. These nurses are not only harming themselves and their careers, but they are also putting patient safety at risk. This can lead to negative patient outcomes (Servodidio, 2011). It is imperative that nurses be informed of the reporting requirements of their state board of nursing and those of the employing facility...... middle of paper ...... k. Ultimately, impaired nurses must be detected and redirected so that they can return to nursing practice as safely as possible. (2009). ISNA Bulletin, 35(3), 8-12. Kunyk, D. and Austin, W. (2012). Nursing under influence: a relational ethics perspective. Nursing Ethics, 19(3), 380-389. doi:10.1177/0969733011406767Monroe, T. and Kenaga, H. (2011). Don't ask, don't tell: Substance abuse and dependence among nurses. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 20(3/4), 504-509. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2702.2010.03518.xServodidio, California (2011). Alcohol abuse in the workplace and patient safety. Clinical Journal of Oncology Nursing, 15(2), 143-145. doi:10.1188/11.CJON.143-145Zerwekh, J. and Garneau, A. (2014). Transition and trends in nursing today. (7th ed., pp. 429-430). Philadelphia: WB Saunders Co.