Recognizing and assisting the impaired nurse: recommendations for nurse managers.

The impaired nurse places the client, her/himself, and all members of the healthcare community at risk. As members of the nursing profession, the priority of all nurses is to protect clients and adhere to professional standards of practice. In light of the statistics validating increased abuse by nursing professionals, the author believes that Peer Assistance Programs and Employee Assistance Programs are necessary and should be supported. To do less is to continue a "conspiracy of silence".