Experiences and outcomes of nurses referred to a peer health assistance program: Recommendations for nursing management

Abstract

Aim To provide recommendations for nursing management based on the experiences of current and former nurses who were served by a peer health assistance program (PHAP). Background Providing help for nurses with impaired practice is critical to their health and well‐being, assuring patient safety and public trust, as well as returning competent nurses to the healthcare workforce. Methods Nurses (n = 268) who were current clients or former clients of a PHAP were surveyed about their experiences. Results Nearly half of nurses were referred by the board of nursing with 69% reporting the referral was due to substance use, alcohol being the most common. Most (62%) did not believe that their substance use affected their practice yet relayed that recognition of their emotional or physical condition could have led to earlier identification. Key barriers to seeking assistance were fear and embarrassment, along with concerns about losing their nursing license. Conclusions Nurses in management are in key roles to identify and intervene with nurses who are at risk for impaired practice. Implications for Nursing Management Nurses in management and nurse colleagues would benefit from workplace education on the warning signs of impaired nursing practice and how to address it.

An Integrative Review of Programs for Managing Nurses' Substance Use Disorder in the Workplace

“…Seven of the nine articles on recovery and monitoring programs described nurses' experiences of recovering from SUD with the support of ADPs (Bowen et al, 2012; Cares et al, 2015; Clark & Farnsworth, 2006; Dittman, 2008; Horton-Deutsch et al, 2011; McNelis et al, 2012; Pace et al, 2020). One article compared the accessibility and benefits of alternative and discipline-based programs (Monroe et al, 2013), and one described the benefits of both types of program from the perspective of nurses (Fogger & McGuinness, 2009; see Table 2).…”

American Academy of Nursing Expert Panel Consensus Statement on leveraging equity in policy to improve recognition and treatment of mental health, substance use disorders, and nurse suicide

“…Peer health assistant programs (PHAP), developed decades ago as alternatives and/or adjunctive to state regulatory discipline are offered in some states to support nurses with substance use and mental health issues ( National Council of State Boards of Nursing, 2019 ). These appear insufficient as Pace et al (2020) reported barriers to help-seeking among nurses who were current or former clients of a PHAP. The programs are often not used because fear, embarrassment, and concerns about losing one's nursing license inhibits contact.…”

The Nurse Leader's Role in Nurse Substance Use, Mental Health, and Suicide in a Peripandemic World

“…Using a strategic planning process, 40 41 with modifications for nursing-specific strategies. 11,25,45,46…”

“…Peer support programs can be structured within a health care system, offered as an extension of alternative to discipline programs, be a freestanding program, or be available individually with the utilization of telehealth and nurse coaching. 46,47 Nursing leadership plays an important role in increasing access to services, raising awareness through education, integrating peer support language to relevant policies (ie, reasonable suspicion of impairment), and encouraging earlier compassionate intervention without fear of immediate termination for mental health or substance use disorder. 46 Implementing internal programs or referring to external peer support resources benefits individual nurses and systems by promoting a culture of awareness, compassion, and help-seeking behaviors.…”