Training Undergraduate Nursing Students in the Prevention of Patient Alcohol and Other Drug Use/Misuse

Background and Issues: In the USA, drug and alcohol abuse is responsible for over $600 billion in health, productivity, and crime-related costs. Nurses need specific knowledge and skills to address the estimated 23.1 million persons aged 12 or older who need treatment for an alcohol and/or other drug (AOD) related problem. Description: An innovative educational program to prepare pre-professional nurses to address the public health issue of substance use was integrated into the undergraduate nursing curriculum. This curriculum enhancement was conducted through academic-community collaboration between a University School of Nursing and Non-Profit Addictions Training Institute. This collaboration produced a partnership between multidisciplinary professionals (nursing, public health, psychology and education) infusing an evidenced-based practice (EBP) into pre-professional nursing education. Lessons Learned: As a result of this project, over 300 nursing students were trained in a screening and brief intervention practice for prevention of AOD use across the lifespan. This educational strategy strengthened the nursing workforce, increasing nurses' preparedness to address patient AOD issues (role adequacy) and increasing nursing students' feelings of responsibility to intervene with patients (role legitimacy). Nursing students can address AOD issues in the context of the patient's presenting health condition. Recommendations: The results of this project recommend the incorporation of SBIRT training at the pre-professional level to prepare nursing students to work with patients on AOD issues prior to entering the workforce. Trained nurses will help to prevent escalation of AOD issues and promote wellness across the lifespan.