Resources for Nurses and the Importance of Education
Author: Dr. April Lenzmeier, DNP, RN. Founding member of the National Association of Peer Support for Nurses (NAPSN), and member of the Board of Directors for the Minnesota Nursing Peer Support Network (NPSN).
The American Nurses Association (2015) describes nursing as both an art and a science, central to the well-being of individuals, families, communities, and society. According to the ANA, “nursing is the protection, promotion, and optimization of health and human functioning; prevention of illness and injury, facilitation of healing, and alleviation of suffering through compassionate presence.” According to the annual Gallup poll ranking of honesty and ethics in various fields, nursing continues to be rated the most trusted profession (Gallup, 2023). In order to sustain this noble profession, nurses need resources and education not only for safe, effective patient care, but also for their own physical and mental wellbeing. This article explores the most valuable resources available to nurses with a current substance use disorder (SUD), and emphasizes the critical importance of peer support, sponsorship, and supplemental programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), Narcotics Anonymous (NA), and many others. SUD is a serious problem in nursing that is often invisible and not well understood or well handled. It tears at the social contract between nursing and society and can disrupt the trust between the patient, the community, and the nurse (Manthey, 2018). When nurses know that they are suffering from this disease themselves or when they are aware of a colleague that is suffering, it is the responsibility of the nurse to intervene.
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Importance of Education For Nurses:
In this podcast episode, Kristin and April share their experience with a lack of education regarding the risk to licensure, addiction, and overall personal health and wellness starting in the nursing school curriculum, upon hire of healthcare organizations, and ultimately within the nursing departments they worked in. Greater access to education could have potentially saved both Kristin and April from personal and professional suffering as well as protected the general public from potential harm through illegal substance use in the workplace. Education is a cornerstone of the nursing profession, serving as the foundation for both individual growth and the advancement of healthcare as a whole. SUD in nurses is a public safety concern, and historically, chemical dependency and Alcoholism has been identified as significant issues for the profession (Manthey, 2018). While nursing technically recognizes addiction as a disease, addiction among nurses is often thought of as a moral failure (Manthey, 2018). Manthey (2018) also states that because SUD is often invisible and not well understood by leaders, ineffective and punitive policies can direct the leader to punish rather than support and educate the nurse. This lack of education for SUD in nursing can endanger the public by making it difficult for impaired nurses to ask for help. Many nurses continue to suffer from SUD without knowing the consequences, this may include: license restrictions, license revocation, loss of finances, arrest, felony charges, accidents, and even death (Minnesota Board of Nursing, 2020).
Providing education, resources, early intervention, outreach and assistance to help nurses recover from an addictive disorder is essential to whole nurse wellness. Providing a non-punitive atmosphere of support may be a lifesaving first step for nurses and those in their care (Monroe et al., 2010).
Resources for Nurses Seeking Support:
If you or a nurse you know is struggling with mental health or substance use issues, please know that help is available. Remember, reaching out is a sign of strength, not weakness. Here are some resources you may find helpful:
● Nurse Peer Support Programs: Some states have dedicated peer support programs for nurses that offer confidential, non-disciplinary support from fellow nurses. Some examples:
o Nurses Peer Support Network in Minnesota https://www.npsnetwork-mn.org
o New Mexico Peer Alliance for Nurses https://nmpeeralliance.org/
o Wisconsin Peer Alliance for Nurses https://wipeeralliance.org/.
● Support Groups: Anonymous 12-step and peer-led support groups/programs can offer invaluable community and shared experience. Some examples:
o Alcoholics Anonymous https://aa.org
o Narcotics Anonymous www.na.org
o SMART Recovery https://www.smartrecovery.org/
o Refuge Recovery https://www.refugerecovery.org/
● Your State Board of Nursing (BON) or Professional Monitoring Program: Many BONs offer confidential alternative-to-discipline (ATD) programs that focus on rehabilitation and monitoring rather than punitive measures. While distinct from peer support, these can be crucial for licensed professionals. Visit your state board of nursing website for information.
● Professional Nursing Organizations: Organizations like the American Nurses Association (ANA) https://www.nursingworld.org/, and their state chapters, often have resources, advocacy, and sometimes direct support programs related to nurse well-being.
● National Association of Peer Support for Nurses (NAPSN): NAPSN is a national resource for nursing peer support by providing a forum for collection of best practices while embracing a compassionate balance of well-being for nurses and promotion of public safety https://napsn.com/.
● National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN): Offers a variety of publications, papers, videos, webinars, and other resources.
o Alternative to Discipline Programs for SUD https://www.ncsbn.org/nursing-regulation/discipline/board-proceedings/alternative-to-discipline.page
o Course on SUD in nursing https://www.ncsbn.org/video/substance-use-disorder-in-nursing
● Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline: A confidential, free, 24/7 information service, in English and Spanish, for individuals and family members facing mental and/or substance use disorders. (1-800-662-HELP (4357) https://www.samhsa.gov/.
● National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): Offers support groups, education, and advocacy for individuals and families affected by mental illness https://www.nami.org/.
● Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs): Many healthcare employers offer EAPs, which provide free, confidential counseling and referral services for a wide range of personal and work-related issues. Talk to your human resources department for information.
● Therapy and Counseling Services: Seeking professional therapy or counseling can provide strategies for coping, healing from trauma, and managing mental health conditions.
Conclusion:
The well-being and effectiveness of the nursing profession depend on both access to SUD education and resources for a strong foundation of whole person health. Addressing SUD among nurses requires a shift from punitive responses to a culture of support, early intervention, and ongoing education. Like Kristin and April suggested, by providing nurses with knowledge about addiction, risk factors, and available support systems, the profession can better protect both the nurse and the public. Peer support networks, professional organizations, and alternative-to-discipline programs offer vital lifelines for nurses in need, reinforcing the message that seeking help is a sign of strength instead of failure. Ultimately, investing in education and accessible resources not only upholds the integrity and trustworthiness of nursing but also ensures safer, healthier outcomes for patients, nurses, and the broader community.
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