The Fitness to Practice process provides nurses with an opportunity to engage in health treatment to address medical conditions that are impacting their ability to practice safely, competently, and ethically. We oversee this process to ensure the public is protected during this time.
Types of Health Treatment
In order to be accepted into the Fitness to Practise process, nurses must be willing to seek and participate in health treatment to address their medical condition.
Although treatment will depend on each nurse’s diagnosis, there are some common types of treatment that many participants will engage in:
- Counselling
- Group therapy
- Follow up with a family doctor and/or specialist
Additionally, for those recovering from addictions, treatment may also include:
- Withdrawal management
- Therapy for underlying issues
- Addictions counselling
- Relapse prevention planning
- Unannounced testing for substances.
Understanding the Treatment Process
In order to assist us in determining whether a nurse is eligible for the Fitness to Practise process, the nurse will typically be assessed by a third-party assessor who provides an opinion about the nurse’s diagnosis and typically provides treatment recommendations tailored to the nurse.
If the nurse is eligible for the Fitness to Practice process, we will draft a document setting out the required treatment. When the nurse has completed treatment, they will provide documentation confirming the treatment they have received.
After treatment is completed, we will arrange for the nurse to be re-assessed by a third-party assessor. The assessor will be asked to provide an opinion about the nurse’s fitness to return to work.
The assessor’s reports, combined with documentation from the nurse, assist us in determining if the nurse is fit to safely continue or return to the practice of nursing.
The Fitness to Practise Committee must approve any conditions or restrictions on a nurse’s license while the nurse is in the Fitness to Practice Process. The committee must also approve a nurse’s return to work, and any changes to the terms and conditions on their licence.
Ongoing Treatment
Typically, ongoing treatment is required after a nurse transitions back to practice.
Ongoing treatment helps to ensure public safety by establishing supports when the nurse returns to practice, which can be a stressful transition. It also provides us with ongoing reassurance that the nurse is continuing engage in treatments that support their health.
If you have any questions, please reach out to us at conduct@nscn.ca.
As an organization, we uphold public trust by being accountable and transparent. One of the ways we do this is by sharing a general overview of our conduct processes in a way that everyone can understand. Due to the nature of this work however, these processes can be complex and there are ultimately a number of factors that determine the best course of action to promote the public interest. The material presented in this website is general information only, and is not legal advice. If there is any inconsistency between this information and the Nursing Act, regulations and bylaws, the legislation prevails. As a result, it is best to contact a member of our team, your legal counsel or a union representative to ensure you fully understand the information presented on our website and within the Nursing Act, regulations, and bylaws.