What Is ISNAP? Understanding Indiana’s Substance Abuse Monitoring Program for Nurses
If you are a nurse in Indiana and someone has mentioned “ISNAP,” you are probably worried about one thing: your license.
What is ISNAP in Indiana? Is it discipline? Is it confidential? Do you have to participate? And what happens if you refuse?
The Indiana Substance Abuse Monitoring Program for Nurses — commonly referred to as ISNAP — can protect a nurse’s license in some situations. But in other situations, it can lead to long-term monitoring obligations and public discipline if not handled carefully.
If you are facing a referral to ISNAP or have been contacted by the Board, this is not the moment to guess. Call or text (317) 759-3225 or schedule a consultation to protect your nursing career.
What Is ISNAP in Indiana?
ISNAP stands for the Indiana State Nurses Assistance Program. It is administered through the Indiana State Nurses Assistance Program and operates in coordination with the Indiana State Board of Nursing.
The program is designed to monitor nurses who may be experiencing substance use issues and to provide a pathway for rehabilitation and continued practice.
In theory, ISNAP is intended to be non-punitive and rehabilitative. It exists to protect public safety while allowing nurses to maintain or restore their ability to practice.
In reality, how ISNAP impacts you depends heavily on the circumstances of your referral and how you respond.
Who Gets Referred to ISNAP?
Referrals to ISNAP can arise in several ways.
Common scenarios include:
An OWI arrest
A positive drug screen
Allegations of diversion
Employer reporting
Self-reporting following treatment
Indiana nurses have reporting obligations in certain circumstances, and employers often report suspected impairment. Once a report reaches the Board, ISNAP may become part of the conversation.
Not every referral results in formal discipline. But every referral should be taken seriously.
Is ISNAP Voluntary or Mandatory?
This is where confusion often begins.
In many cases, ISNAP participation begins as a “voluntary” agreement. A nurse may be offered the opportunity to enter monitoring as an alternative to formal disciplinary proceedings.
However, voluntary does not always mean consequence-free.
If you decline participation, the matter may proceed to formal investigation and potential disciplinary action before the Board. That can result in probation, suspension, or other public sanctions.
In other situations, participation may be ordered as part of an agreed disciplinary resolution.
Before signing any participation agreement, it is critical to understand:
The length of monitoring
The conditions imposed
The reporting obligations
Whether participation will remain confidential
What triggers a violation
Signing first and asking questions later can be costly.
What Does ISNAP Monitoring Involve?
ISNAP monitoring is typically intensive.
Participation often includes:
Random drug and alcohol screens
Required substance abuse evaluation
Treatment or counseling compliance
Work restrictions or practice limitations
Employer monitoring and reporting
Monitoring commonly lasts between two and five years. Drug screening alone can be expensive. Missed tests, diluted samples, or technical noncompliance can trigger violation proceedings.
Many nurses underestimate the logistical and financial burden of participation.
Understanding those obligations before entering an agreement is essential.
Does ISNAP Show Up on Your Nursing License?
One of the most important questions nurses ask is whether ISNAP participation becomes public.
The answer depends on how the matter is resolved.
In some cases, voluntary participation may remain confidential if no formal disciplinary action is filed. In other cases — especially where there is an Agreed Order — the discipline may appear on the Board’s public website.
Once formal discipline is entered, it can impact:
Employment opportunities
Credentialing
Travel nursing eligibility
Advanced practice applications
The difference between confidential monitoring and public discipline can be significant. Early legal guidance can help you evaluate which path you are facing.
What Happens If You Violate ISNAP?
ISNAP violations can escalate quickly.
A missed test, a positive screen, or failure to comply with reporting requirements may be reported back to the Board.
At that point, what began as rehabilitative monitoring can convert into formal disciplinary proceedings. Sanctions may include:
License probation
Suspension
Practice restrictions
Revocation
Violations often create a paper trail that makes later defense more difficult.
If you are struggling to comply or have already received a violation notice, call or text (317) 759-3225 or schedule a consultation immediately. Early intervention can sometimes limit escalation.
How ISNAP Interacts With Criminal Charges
Many ISNAP referrals begin with an OWI or drug-related arrest.
Criminal cases and licensing cases run on separate tracks. What you say in one can affect the other.
Statements made in substance abuse evaluations, admissions in criminal court, or participation in diversion programs can have licensing implications.
Coordinating criminal defense and professional licensing strategy is critical.
A plea agreement that resolves a criminal matter may still trigger Board scrutiny. Timing, language, and admissions matter.
If you are facing both criminal charges and a Board investigation, strategic coordination is essential.
Should You Speak to an Attorney Before Entering ISNAP?
In most cases, yes.
Before signing an ISNAP participation agreement, you should understand:
Whether the underlying allegation can be defended
Whether monitoring is truly the best option
Whether confidentiality is available
What the long-term licensing impact will be
Sometimes entering ISNAP is the right move. Sometimes alternative strategies are better. The key is making an informed decision.
Too many nurses sign agreements under pressure without fully understanding the consequences.
Your license is your livelihood. Protecting it requires careful evaluation.
Protecting Your Indiana Nursing License
The Indiana State Board of Nursing exists to protect the public. ISNAP exists to balance rehabilitation with safety.
But your interests — your career, your reputation, your future — require advocacy.
Early action can help you:
Avoid unnecessary public discipline
Limit monitoring burdens
Coordinate criminal and licensing defense
Preserve employment opportunities
Whether you are facing an OWI, employer report, positive drug screen, or direct ISNAP referral, do not wait until the Board makes its decision.
At Vining Legal, we represent nurses across Indiana in ISNAP matters, Board investigations, and license defense proceedings.
If you have been contacted about ISNAP, call or text (317) 759-3225 or schedule a consultation today.
Your nursing license is not just a credential. It is your career. Protect it strategically.
