Uncovering the secret: giving voice to the experiences of nurses who misuse substances

Abstract

Issues of occupational health and safety are raised due to the increasingly demanding and often traumatic nursing work environment. Fears about stigma and loss of their nursing identity highlight nurses' perceptions that treatment programmes are often punitive in nature. Guidelines for the workplace addressing issues such as confidentiality, stress reduction and strategies for handling situations where a colleague is suspected of having a problem are beginning steps that will help address the problem of substance misuse in the nursing profession.

Health Care Under the Influence: Substance Use Disorders in the Health Professions

“…Stigma is not confined to the general public; it also occurs among health professionals (Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, 2006). Some nurses have acknowledged delaying treatment seeking because of stigma felt within the workplace, and this procrastination prolonged their recovery (Lillibridge et al, 2002). Darbro (2005, p.179) noted that a 'culture of mistreatment of addicts in the workplace by health care professionals' was listed as a reason for concealing their illness from colleagues, and that this procrastination prolonged their recovery.…”

“…Others may be relieved that they were approached. The identification of the problem by a nurse colleague can be the turning point for recovery (Lillibridge et al, 2002). Recovered nurses have reported that they felt let down when other nurses failed to recognize or confront their substance problem, and some recovered colleagues feel that the intervention probably saved their lives (Lillibridge et al, 2002).…”

“…The health care professional might have entered their career with a family history of members with these disorders or other vulnerabilities that place them at risk (Kenna & Wood, 2005). There is evidence suggesting health care professionals may be placed at increased risk for developing these disorders because of work related factors such as high job strain, disruption and fatigue related to shift work and long hours, ease of access to medications in the workplace, self-treatment of pain and emotional problems, working in certain specialties, and knowledge of the benefits of medications (Lillibridge et al, 2002;McAuliffe et al, 1987;Trinkoff & Storr, 1998;Trinkoff et al, 2000;Wright, 1990). Since the late 1970's, numerous studies have examined the use of substances among health care professionals.…”

A cross-sectional study of drinking patterns, prelicensure nursing education, and professional identity formation

“…Through the process of internalizing professional values, one's professional identity becomes self-evident in the nurse's lived experience and creates the foundation for promoting the ideals of the profession (NLN, 2010 Code of Ethics (2001) further specifies that nurses have an ethical responsibility to practice unimpaired and safely. However, substance abuse is a significant problem within the profession that impairs nurses' ability to perform essential job functions and threatens both self-concept and safe practice (Lillibridge, Cox, & Cross, 2002;Kenward, 2009;Monroe & Pearson, 2009). It is estimated in the United States that perhaps 6% of nurses have a problem severe enough to impair practice (Dunn, 2005).…”

Helfen, hilflos - Abhilfe, abhängig?

“…Griffith merkt dazu allerdings an, dass die Missbrauchsdaten ähnlich derer der Allgemeinbevölkerung sind und sich nur die Substanzen unterscheiden [14]. Andere Forscher unterstützen jedoch die Theorie, dass Pflegekräfte mehr gefährdet sind als der Rest der Bevölkerung [20]. In einer der wenigen bekannten Untersuchungen aus Deutschland zu diesem Thema überprüfte Mäulen in einem 9-monatigen Zeitraum die stationär aufgenommenen Krankenschwestern/-pfleger in einem psychiatrischen Landeskrankenhaus 2 [22].…”