The first of a three phase exploratory study was conducted using archival retrieval of Connecticut State Board of Nursing disciplinary actions, and registered nurse licensure application records dated from 1990 to 2000. The purposes of this research are (1) to explore the relationship between the incidence of registered nurses in violation of the nurse practice act and level of the respondents’ nursing education (baccalaureate, associate, or diploma); and (2) to explore the relationship between registered nurses in violation of the Nurse Practice Act for impaired practice and the incidence of their using drugs and/or alcohol while a student in a nursing program. Data were gleaned from applications for licensure, and a survey questionnaire mailed to randomly selected nurses to ascertain if they used/abused drugs or alcohol while a student in their nursing program. The majority of cases disciplined by the Board of Nursing involve impaired practice secondary to drug or alcohol use/abuse, and these results are reflective of national data compiled from all States’ Boards of Nursing. The results of this study describe the nature of the relationship between educational level of preparation and the occurrence of disciplinary action of licensed registered nurses, and may determine if nursing students’ use of drugs and/or alcohol while in school resulted in future chemical dependency. This research may determine if particular elements of curricula like critical thinking, ethics, and lack of content on drug use prevention could be contributing to the relationship. The results may also be of benefit to other healthcare professions.
Learning Objectives: 1. Describe the relationship between level of nursing education and incidence of disciplinary actions by a State Board of Nursing. 2. Discuss the relationship between nurses' disciplined for impaired practice and prior drug use while in nursing school. 3. Discuss the importance of substance abuse prevention as an important inclusion in nursing education curricula. 4. Recognize that nurses are a vulnerable population in becoming chemically dependent.
Keywords: Nurses, Substance Abuse
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.