The North Dakota Board of Nursing(Board) has created an alternative to discipline program called the Nurse Assistance Program (NAP) to assist nurses who are struggling with a behavioral health, physical health, or substance use disorder.

Participation is confidential if program compliance is maintained. The ATD committee has partnered with stakeholders to provide a path to recovery for nurses before their behavioral, physical, or substance use concerns impact their nursing practice. The program does not directly provide treatment, diagnosis, or after care services, but does provide ongoing support and monitoring for participants.

All participants must be approved by the ATD Program Coordinator. Participants are required to meet the following criteria:

• Active or application for North Dakota nurse licensure;
  • Have a physical or behavioral health condition that is, or may affect their nursing practice; and/or
  • Use alcohol or drugs to the extent that their nursing practice is at risk or has been affected;
• Voluntarilyagree to enter the program and provide consent for appropriate medical/psychiatric/chemical dependency evaluations; and
• Follow all recommendations of the evaluator(s); and
• Sign a participation consent agreement