...Running head: SUBSTANCE ABUSE IN NURSING Substance Abuse in Nursing Erika O. Substance Abuse in Nursing The purpose of this paper is to discuss the problem of nurses impaired by substance abuse and to explore actions that are being taken to either prevent or correct the problem once it has occurred. My reasons for choosing this topic is that I will soon be entering the nursing field and the likely hood of me working with an impaired or addicted nurse appears to be very likely; the more I know on the subject the better prepared I will be to handle the situation. It has been estimated that roughly 10% of the nursing population has alcohol or drug abuse problems furthermore 6% has an addiction serious enough to interfere with their ability to practice (Talbert, 2009). The American Nurses Association (ANA) estimated that 6%--8% of nurses use alcohol or drugs to the extent that professional judgment is impaired. Impaired nursing is defined as a nurse's inability to perform essential job functions because of chemical dependency on drugs or alcohol or mental illness (Blair, 2002). This is of particular relevance because substance abuse among nurses is an issue that threatens the delivery of quality care and professional standards of nursing, “many nurses are not identified as having a problem until patient safety has been compromised” (Talbert, 2009). A. Introduction-5 points State the purpose of your paper and your reason for choosing your topic...
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...Substance Abuse and Addiction in Nursing Drexel University Substance Abuse and Addiction in Nursing There was a time when substance abuse (SA) in nursing was unheard of; however, it was always there. The reality was that it was merely disregarded. How could any type of addiction or SA in nursing be disregarded? It is difficult to speculate why our culture overlooked this, but one explanation is associated with the Gallop Poll which reports nursing as the most trusted and ethical profession in the United States (US) (Cherry & Jacob, 2014). Therefore; how can the most trusted and ethical profession coexist with SA, addiction, or an impaired nurse? Townsend defines an individual with a substance abuse disorder as a person who fails at several attempts to control or stop a substance that interferes with that individual’s ability to perform daily functions such as obligations at home, school, or work (Townsend, 2014). It is this impaired ability that endangers patients, coworkers, the organization’s reputation, the nursing profession as a whole, and ultimately themselves. Drug and alcohol abuse is a serious issue that has reached epidemic proportions in the general population (Taylor, Lillis, LeMone, & Lynn, Walters Kluwer Health/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins). It is now believed that the incidence of drug and alcohol abuse in the nursing profession parallels the proportions of the general public (Valdes, 2014). Therefore; ignoring this issue is no longer...
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...Family Nursing Diagnosis and Assessment September 3, 2012 University of Phoenix Nursing 405 Ginger Witherington After spending time with my family and assessing their daily activities it is very apparent that they all need help coping and finding a solution to the growing problem within their home. By using the Friedman Family Assessment as a guideline to identify the structural framework of this particular family, nursing diagnosis and interventions can be drawn as a guide to help with the healing process of their family. According to Healthy People 2020, one particular goal is the “Reduce substance abuse to protect the health, safety, and quality of life for all, especially children”. (Healthy People, 2020). Alcohol and drug abuse is a pattern that is accompanied by failure to fulfill responsibilities such as work and family and can have harmful personal, physical and emotional consequences that lead to the downfall of family. The population that I believe most effected by substance abuse in the family is the children. When there is long term abuse, complications that arise are violence, domestic abuse and fatal accidents such as overdose or the results of drinking and driving. From the nursing standpoint there are several interventions and strategies that can be instrumental in helping a family in crisis. Giving necessary support, providing educational resources and counseling resources are just three small areas that are important for the nurse to provide...
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...Substance Abuse in Nursing The purpose of this paper is to discuss the problem of nurses impaired by substance abuse and to explore actions that are being taken to either prevent or correct the problem once it has occurred. My reasons for choosing this topic is that I will soon be entering the nursing field and the likely hood of me working with an impaired or addicted nurse appears to be very likely; the more I know on the subject the better prepared I will be to handle the situation. It has been estimated that roughly 10% of the nursing population has alcohol or drug abuse problems furthermore 6% has an addiction serious enough to interfere with their ability to practice (Talbert, 2009). The American Nurses Association (ANA) estimated that 6%--8% of nurses use alcohol or drugs to the extent that professional judgment is impaired. Impaired nursing is defined as a nurse's inability to perform essential job functions because of chemical dependency on drugs or alcohol or mental illness (Blair, 2002). This is of particular relevance because substance abuse among nurses is an issue that threatens the delivery of quality care and professional standards of nursing, “many nurses are not identified as having a problem until patient safety has been compromised” (Talbert, 2009). A. Introduction-5 points State the purpose of your paper and your reason for choosing your topic. B. Definition of Topic-10 points Begin with a definition of the issue, followed by identification of...
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...The impaired nurse Alcohol and drug dependence affects all segments of the population and nurses are not an exception to the rule. There is a concern that is a growing number of nurses use substances for different reasons. There is not enough data and research on the exact count, statistically speaking. However, recent statistics in state Boards of Nursing clearly define an upward trend. The American Nurses Association estimates that six to eight percent of nurse’s abuse drugs or alcohol. The two most common issues nurses have are access and availability. There are many reasons, nurses struggle with addictions. For the same reasons others do. It might be anxiety, depression or unintentional — caused from taking a prescription medication. However,...
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...Substance abuse among Nurses: Impact on Nurses and their patients Anam Afaq Nursing 110-E Dr. Millenbach Drug and alcohol abuse is a serious health and social problem in the United States. Many people in the general population are unaware of how widespread drug addiction has become. Even fewer are aware of the number of healthcare professionals such as nurses that misuse drug and alcohol. The number of substance abuse nurses is believed to parallel the drug abuse in a general population (Talbert, 2009). Substance abuse among nurses is a problem that not only threatens the delivery of quality care to patients but also the impacts the professional standards of nursing. The healthcare profession is one of the most important professions in the world and nurses are the most trusted professionals in the world. According to the American Nurses Association (ANA), “Nursing is the protection, promotion, and optimization of health and abilities, prevention of illness and injury, alleviation of suffering through the diagnosis and treatment of human response, and advocacy in the care of individuals, families, communities, and populations.” When I read this definition, the words “protection”, “prevention” and “advocacy” stand out to me the most. The registered nurses are the premier advocates for safety and quality of patient care and health and safety of other health care professionals and co-workers. How will the nurses that have problems with substance abuse continue to protect...
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...Issues Around Abuse Within the Healthcare System Abuse within the healthcare system is prevalent in numerous areas including examples of abuse toward healthcare professionals, abuse of patients, substance abuse, financial abuse to name a few. Awareness of violence or abuse within the healthcare system is rapidly growing. The significance of abuse results in the negative impact on the health of individuals and the health consequences that they can encounter in their own mental, financial, and physical health (McIntyre & McDonald, 2014). This paper examines three different articles from different sources as follows: news feed, scholarly journal, and a website posting discussing abuse which impacts the health of the effected individual and bringing...
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...("Cultural Competence", 2014). Organizations must have the capacity to value diversity, conduct self-assessment, manage the dynamics of difference, institutionalize cultural knowledge and adapt to the diversity and the cultural context of the communities they serve. The Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS) stated that inequities in service delivery and care in the health care system are associated with discrimination, and a lack of culturally competent practices, including a lack of cultural awareness and sensitivity by health care providers (Upsher, n.d). Substance abuse is defined as a chronic, relapsing brain disease that is characterized by compulsive drug seeking and use, despite harmful consequences ("The Science Of Drug Abuse And Addiction: The Basics", 2014). This paper will discuss and define the appropriateness of competent care in Substance abuse care and identify the populations served and issues of population vulnerability. In addition, exploration of standards of cultural competence with substance abuse, the delivery of nursing care and potential impact, and the resolutions of implementation of standards that did not met expectations. Substance abuse has negative consequences for both the addict as well...
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...Substance abuse occurs across all occupations, generations, and cultures. About 1 in 10, of all nurses, is either practicing while impaired or currently in recovery for the abuse of drugs or alcohol (Thomas & Siela, 2011). Substance abuse rates by nurses mirror the rates of other occupations, therefore they are not at an increased risk, per se, however, their overall patterns of use are unique because of the easier access to controlled substances in the professional work environment (Tanga, 2011). Patient safety is threatened by nurses who divert drugs, and therefore, these nurses become a liability to their employers. Healthcare facilities share a responsibility with nurse leaders to ensure a secure system is in place that will prevent medication...
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...the implications of the Garling Report (2008), it enables to recognise problems related with health care system and to have better understandings and abilities to effectively deal with the problems. Accordingly, there are also significant issues affecting mental health, which should be investigated. The major findings and recommendations of the Garling Report will be overviewed and also the nursing and workforce issues will be explored. Furthermore, drug and alcohol abuse and lack of resources will be explored and recommendation for a new Registered Nurse will be drawn. Garling Report (2008) indicates that New South Wales (NSW) public hospitals have one of the better health care systems in the developed world, because they have well-trained, skilled and dedicated doctors, nurses and clinical staffs. On the other hand, NSW health care systems are too often unable to cope with the increasing cost of treatment, sudden increase in patients, and the pressures on a skilled workforce (Garling Report, 2008). Notably, there is a serious shortage of workforce including medical, nursing, and allied health professionals (Garling Report, 2008). Furthermore, there are insufficient experienced clinical staffs who can supervise and guide inexperienced clinical staffs, and in this environment, it makes difficult to provide safety of the patient and the quality of patient care (Garling Report, 2008). Especially, a skilled workforce is significantly insufficient in rural/remote areas...
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...estimated infants affected by prenatal alcohol or illicit drug exposure each year according to the National Center on Substance Abuse and Child Welfare. That is between ten and eleven percent of all births and frankly that number is way too high. Major maternal substances of abuse that affect newborns are amphetamines, opiates, cocaine, tobacco and alcohol. These substances can have severe adverse neonatal and long term effects. What is to blame for this extremely elevated statistic? Well, illicit drug use by a mother-to-be or even the use of legal substances such as alcohol or tobacco coincides with several other influences that can also impact a child’s life. Examples include lack of prenatal care, socioeconomic status, role of the father, support systems, and the caregiving ability of the mother, all of which play enormous roles in child development and maternal drug use. Almost all drugs of abuse follow a similar mechanism of action in the adult brain; this mechanism alters the pathways for reward by flooding the circuits with dopamine. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that exists in areas of the brain that power movement, motivation, emotion, and feelings of pleasure. The overstimulation of this system produces euphoric effects in response to the drugs. This reaction initiates the cycle that tells people to keep abusing drugs. As a person continues to abuse drugs, the brain adapts to the waves of dopamine by making less dopamine or reducing the amount of dopamine receptors...
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...Assessment of Alcoholic living in a Family Individuals addicted to alcohol are threatened with increased risk of health problems, including liver cirrhosis, cardiovascular diseases, and fetal abnormalities. Additionally, substance abuse can lead to automobile collisions, violence, and injuries. Alcohol can influence worker’s productivity, family problems, or school performance. According to Alcohol Research and Health (2000), “the United States and other countries have expended considerable effort throughout this century to develop and refine effective strategies to limit the negative impact of alcohol” (p. 5). The epidemiological research has also revealed positive correlation between substance abuse and coronary heart disease. The influence on physical health is evident, but there are many other social factors that pose risks to the surrounding communities and families (Alcohol Research and Health, 2000). What is more important is that it creates significant problems within the family in terms lack of understanding and communication. Heavy drinking and substance abuse is a tangible risk factor creating serious consequences for health and, therefore, it is also the main contributor to the global disease expansion. Indeed, alcohol can become the leading cause for over 30 health-related risks and factors. Such risks as disability, disease, and mortality are also among the major problems which are treated by the World Health Organization because of the detrimental influence...
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...Confidentiality/Privacy Issues This article presents a case study highlighting the conflict between an individual’s right to privacy and the rights of patients and staff to know when a professional standard has been breached. The process by which the administrator determines a course of action is reviewed in the context of workplace realities through an ethical analysis. The growth of information systems and the increased involvement of third parties in decision-making have created new issues regarding confidentiality and the release of sensitive information for health care personnel who are in a position of public trust. The issues facing nursing administrators are complex, and of particular concern are the conflicting demands of providing quality care with limited resources. The authors identify strategies to deal with the workplace issues that give rise to the potential for abuse as well as the strategies to support an impaired colleague who attempts to reenter the workforce (Badzek, Mitchell, Marra, & Bower, 1998). Introduction When asking the general public what health care ethics and health care privacy mean, most will relate that they are about protecting patients. Health care ethics and health care privacy do exist to protect patients and to ensure that care is delivered with moral and ethical standards. Health care ethics not only apply to patients, but to organizations as well. The rapidly changing world of health care is witnessing a growing need for institutional ethics that includes...
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...environmental conditions play a key role (Harkness & DeMarco, 2012, p. 68). In this public health care nurse case study, a young female suffers from malnourishment, substance abuse, economic duress, and poor living conditions. Emotionally, she is in distress and is now seeking assistance. Additionally, I am assuming that she might be homeless and lacking family support. Questions to Consider when Interviewing the Client While interviewing the client, I would ask myself which public/social services might best fit this young female’s needs. I would also mentally start addressing her sexual habits and considering when she last had a full physical assessment with laboratory tests and was checked for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). I would also be concerned about her psychological condition and if she suffers from any mental illness. Additionally, I would reflect on how to establish a safe environment for the patient. How to Assist the Client during Planning Identifying the stage of prevention is required to help a person in need. This female needs a secondary prevention. This measure identifies, plans around, and reduces the impact of a current disease (Harkness & DeMarco, 2012, p. 90). As a public health nurse, during planning I can assist the client in making the decisions to cease substance abuse and to seek permanent housing. I can also help her access Social Services and assist her with obtaining the appropriate medical care. I can encourage her to complete...
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...drug abuse is “disproportionately associated with poverty, increased family stress, and neighborhoods plagued by instability, decay, and crime” (Schroeder & Fals-Stewart, 2006, p. 10). However, drug abuse tends to affect people of all socioeconomic status, race, age, and gender. The economic effect of substance abuse is estimated at $414 billion in 2001, and $109.9 billion is drug use (Schneider Institute, 2001). Drug abuse affects the drug user, the family, the job, and the very life of the abuser. The negative effect of drug abuse on family members is serious enough that there are many support groups available to family members of drug addicts. Support groups help family members better understand the drug user and equips the family with the tools necessary to emotionally and financially deal with the drug user. Effects of Drug Abuse on Families Substance Abuse: The Nation’s Number One Health Problem Schneider Institute for Health Policy Children of substance abusers are more negatively affected than the parents of children who abuse drugs. Drug abusing parents face legal consequences, including imprisonment, divorce, and their children removed from the family household. Parents who abuse illegal drugs are 59% more likely than non-abusers to have psychiatric disorders such as anxiety, antisocial personality disorders, and depression (SAMHSA, 1999). This shows a clear link between psychiatric disorders and substance abuse. Parents with substance abuse, both...
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