Health Professionals Assistance Program

The Board of Nursing's Health Professionals Assistance Program (HPAP) is designed for licensed nurses and nursing students who need case management and monitoring when they are unable to practice with reasonable skill or safety, or whose practice poses a risk to the public, when the nurse's mental health or substance use related issue or disorder is not appropriately managed.

Since 1996, HPAP has helped hundreds of South Dakota nurses with recovery and safe return to practice. 

The Board contracts with Midwest Health Management Services to conduct the program; they are staffed by licensed mental health professionals who evaluate, consult, coordinate care, and support a nurse's ongoing recovery management to promote successful outcomes. 

Eligibility to Participate

Any nurse who holds a South Dakota nursing license, has applied for licensure, or is a student enrolled in a South Dakota nursing program, may apply to participate in the program. 

Voluntary, Confidential Enrollment

Is available by completing the Midwest Health Application Form Participant information is not shared with the Board or public.

To be eligible, a nurse has not:

• Been terminated from another similar program due to noncompliance; 
• Had a history of practice involving significant harm or death to a patient; 
• Engaged in the diversion of drugs or substances for the purpose of sale or distribution to others; 
• Engaged in behavior that has a high potential to cause patient harm; 
• Fraudulently written a prescription;
• Been convicted of criminal behavior that includes crimes involving sexual misconduct, violence, or threatening behavior; 
• Had a license that has been on probation, suspended, or revoked. 

Board-ordered Enrollment

Is available by completing the Midwest Health Application Form Nurses who are mandated under a formal Board order, or nurses who do not meet criteria for voluntary enrollment, may enroll and their progress in the program is shared with the Board.