Fitness to Practice Concerns

Fitness to practice is defined as “all the qualities and capabilities of an individual relevant to their capacity to practice” (CRNA, 2013, p. 10). Fitness to practice considers an individuals freedom from cognitive, physical, psychological or emotional condition or impairment due to drug or alcohol that effects their ability to practice nursing. It is important to note that being “fit to practice” does not mean that an individual has no health conditions, concerns, or disabilities. Being “fit to practice” means that the student is able to safely engage in the activities required to meet learning outcomes in a particular setting. Fitness to practice is compromised by a health condition—whether physical, psychological, or emotional—when an individual is not able to practice in a safe, expected manner (McLaren et al., 2016). Students are expected to self-assess for fitness to practice; and it is expected that should a student identify their fitness to practice become impaired that they will declare this to the clinical instructor. Peers and nurses working with students have a duty to report any fitness to practice concerns with instructors. When a student has fitness to practice concerns, whether self-identified or identified by others, the instructor should remove the student from the clinical site and consult the Associate Dean (AD) in writing. The removal from the clinical site promotes and protects student health, and also patient safety. The AD will meet with the student and complete a referral to the Health, Safety, and Wellness Centre. The Health, Safety, and Wellness Centre facilitates and navigates the student return to practice setting. Upon completion of this process, the AD is the decision-maker to determine if/when the student re-enters the clinical setting. 

©Maggie Convey, 2022