The Alabama Board of Nursing promotes the Voluntary Disciplinary Alternative Program (VDAP) as a confidential, supportive route for nurses dealing with issues like substance use or mental health challenges. They call it “non-disciplinary,” “voluntary,” and even “a second chance.” But behind the polished language and friendly tone lies a system that operates with very little transparency—and what they don’t tell you can ruin your career. Learn more about ABN nursing board alabama.
First, VDAP is not truly voluntary. Many nurses report feeling pressured into signing up immediately after being contacted by the Board. They’re told it’s their best option, that it will remain private, and that it will help them keep working. What they’re not told is that once they enter, they have essentially waived their rights to a formal investigation, hearing, or appeal. There’s no going back. It’s not an offer—it’s a trap.
Second, the Board doesn’t explain how strict and unforgiving VDAP really is. Participants are subject to intense monitoring, including frequent random drug screens, mandated therapy or treatment sessions, restricted work environments, and long-term reporting. Even a minor slip, like taking the wrong medication or missing a call, can lead to termination from the program—and once that happens, the nurse is reported for formal discipline anyway. In effect, VDAP becomes a fast track to license suspension, not a path to recovery.
Another thing the Board fails to disclose is how VDAP can impact your career long-term. Even though the program is marketed as confidential, nurses often find that employers discover their participation through background checks, restricted work authorizations, or state-to-state licensing reports. Some have even lost job offers or been forced to explain their involvement years later. The “private” promise doesn’t always hold up.
Kreps Law Firm has seen too many nurses walk into VDAP blind—unaware of what they’re truly signing up for. The firm fights to expose these hidden truths and to give nurses the power to make informed decisions. They know how to challenge unnecessary referrals, negotiate more favorable terms, or, when appropriate, fight the allegations outright instead of settling for a damaging alternative.
The Alabama Board of Nursing presents VDAP as the kind option. But the truth is, they don’t want you to look too closely at what you’re agreeing to. Before signing anything, nurses should consult an attorney who can pull back the curtain—and protect their future. Kreps Law Firm is ready to do just that.
Comments
0 comment