Reference no: EM133670589
Assignment:
Substance abuse occurs across all generations, cultures, and occupations, including nursing. About 1 in 10, or 10-15% of all nurses, may be impaired or in recovery from alcohol or drug addiction. Although nurses aren't at a higher increase risk than the public sector, their overall pattern of dependency is unique because they have greater access to drugs in the work environment.
Impaired nurses can become dysfunctional in their ability to provide safe, appropriate patient care. Addiction is considered a disease, but the addicted nurse remains responsible for actions when working. Nurses should be aware of the signs and symptoms of substance abuse and know when to report a coworker suspected of substance abuse to management.
Consider the following statements, situations and respond.
- Analyze the signs and symptoms of a substance-abusing nurse.
- List the risk factors that contribute to nurse substance or alcohol impairment.
- Outline the steps you should take, if you suspect a nurse is a substance abuser.
- Evaluate if you would be willing to inform management, if you suspect a nurse is diverting medication. Defend your response.
- Describe the process of what happens legally when a nurse is found to have a substance abuse disorder.
- Analyze the treatment programs available to impaired nurses and the effectiveness.
Substance abuse is costly to the individual nurse, their friends and families, and healthcare organizations in terms of loss of income, health, and relationships, and diminished quality of care provided to patients. While it may be difficult or uncomfortable, individual nurses can make a positive difference when they identify substance-abusing nurses so that they can get the help they need.
Substance-abusing nurses most likely will not seek treatment until confronted by peers, family, or nursing management, or their employment is in jeopardy. However, those who enter and complete structured treatment programs can be successful and reenter the profession of nursing.