Miller is pushing for Wisconsin to adopt an independent model. Rep. John Nygren, a Republican from Marinette who co-chairs the state's powerful Joint Finance Committee, has introduced multiple rounds of legislation aimed at curbing opioid abuse and improving treatment. He's exploring whether abuse among health care professionals is an issue he'll tackle next session.

DSPS spokesman Robert Schlaeger declined AP requests to interview staff, citing department policy. In an email, he wrote that any nurse abusing drugs has an obligation to the public to report it to the department through the PAP.

Lori Cuene, a Wisconsin nurse who has been in board-mandated alcohol monitoring and treatment for years, said she's seen nurses who don't seek help because the system is too punitive.

"One of the really big frustrations for me was working alongside people who should be in programs but aren't," Cuene said. "Those people are more dangerous than I am."

Stanton said she tried to stop using drugs because she knew she could be harming patients, but didn't have the resources she needed. She said punishment and the fear of losing her job wasn't the only deterrent to self-reporting; she also feared the stigma.