A traveling nurse is taking a temporary assignment out of state. Which of the following information should the nurse identify is the purpose of the Nursing Licensure Compact (NLC)?

A. This is a crucial step in the cascade of care, as it involves connecting individuals with OUD to treatment services. Without engagement, subsequent steps like medication initiation and recovery cannot be achieved.
B. While recovery is the ultimate goal of OUD treatment, it is a later stage in the cascade. It follows successful engagement, medication initiation, and retention in care.
C. This is not a primary focus of the cascade of care framework, although it can be a relevant outcome measure to assess the effectiveness of treatment.
D. While important, medication initiation is a step that occurs after engagement in care. It is not the foundational element of the cascade.

A. The hospital supervisor is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the hospital, including staff management. However, in the immediate chain of command, the supervisor might not be the first point of contact for specific unit issues unless the concern escalates beyond the unit level.
B. The charge nurse is the immediate supervisor on the unit and is usually the first point of contact for issues related to staff behavior or performance. Reporting the concern to the charge nurse is appropriate because they have the responsibility to oversee the staff on the unit, address concerns, and ensure the safety and well-being of both patients and staff. The charge nurse can assess the situation and take appropriate action, such as further investigation or reporting to higher authorities.
C. The unit director is responsible for overall management and administration of the unit, including staff issues. While the unit director is a higher level of authority than the charge nurse, it is often appropriate to first report to the charge nurse, who is closer to the situation and can address it more immediately.
D. The Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) is a top executive responsible for nursing practices across the entire hospital or healthcare system. Reporting directly to the CNO is generally not the first step in the chain of command for concerns about a coworker’s impairment.