Background: Nurses' substance use disorder (SUD) endangers patient safety and decreases nurses' work ability and health. To better understand the methods, treatments, and benefits of the programs used to monitor nurses with SUD and promote their recovery, a systematic review of international research is needed. Aim: The aim was to gather, evaluate, and summarize empirical research on programs for managing nurses with SUD. Design: An integrative review was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis instructions. Method: Systematic searches were conducted in the CINAHL, PsycInfo, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases between 2006 and 2020, complemented with manual searches. Articles were selected based on inclusion, exclusion, and method-specific evaluation criteria. The data were analyzed narratively. Results: The review identified 12 studies of which nine focused on recovery and monitoring programs for nurses with SUD or other impairment and three concerned training programs for nurse supervisors or worksite monitors. The programs were described in terms of their target groups, goals, and theoretical basis. The programs' methods and benefits were described together with challenges in their implementation. Conclusion: There has been little research on programs for nurses with SUD, the programs that exist are heterogenous, and the evidence available in this field is weak. Further research and developmental work are needed on preventive and early detection programs as well as rehabilitative programs and programs supporting reentry to workplaces. In addition, programs should not be restricted to nurses and their supervisors; colleagues and work communities should also be involved.

Aim and objectives To describe nurses with substance use disorder (SUD) in authority disciplinary actions. Background Nurses with SUD risk patient safety. Research evidence on the identification of nurses’ SUD and related management procedures is currently sparse. Design Retrospective document analysis of decisions related to SUD in nurses’ disciplinary actions. Method Decisions on nurses (N = 171) made by the Finnish National Supervisory Authority for Welfare and Health in Finland during 2007–2016 were used as data. An electronic extraction sheet was developed for data collection including variables (N = 34), of which 18 were analysed in this study with descriptive statistical methods and chi‐squared statistics. The study reported in accordance with the STROBE checklist for cross‐sectional studies. Results The mean age of the nurses was 43 years (SD 8.7). The most mentioned reasons for notifications leading to disciplinary actions were substance abuse with working while intoxicated and drug theft. The most mentioned intoxicants used were medicines and alcohol. On average, the first disciplinary decision was given at 6.4 months (SD 3.9) and the final decision was given at 17.9 months (SD 13.1). The most common decision was restriction of the right to practice. Conclusion The results supported findings from previous decades and different continents, showing similar trends are prevalent globally and continue today. In future studies, countries’ registers of nurses with SUD could be used to clarify the profile of nurses and develop appropriate procedures. Qualitative studies could be conducted to investigate to shed light on concealment of the phenomenon. Relevance to clinical practice There is a need for early identification, intervention and referral to treatment as well as effective protocols for reducing nurses’ risks of disciplinary actions related to SUD. It is important to be aware of the signs and symptoms of SUD and training for this is needed.