Discussion: Connecticut Nursing News

Discussion: Connecticut Nursing News
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Discussion: Connecticut Nursing News
Substance abuse in the health profession has become a significant challenge as it affects the delivery of health services and also threatens professional standards, particularly among the nurses. Despite the rise in the number of substance-addicted nurses, many states still allow nurses to continue working while undergoing treatment for addiction which raises the questions whether the state’s actions are justifiable or not. Rationally, substance addicted nurses should not be allowed to continue working with a special limitation on their license as they are a threat to the lives and health of patients. The fact that some may be using the substances as a result of professional pressure does not justify substance abuse in such a vulnerable profession.
Substances addicted nurses threaten the lives of the patients by stealing their prescribed drugs and therefore should not be allowed to continue working. Nurses develop the substance abuse habit after surgery where drugs are prescribed for pain or through self-medication to reduce stress. The diversion of the drugs by the nurses results in a multi-victim crime that can harm both the patient and nurse (Berge et al. 2012). Continued use of the drugs due to their availability in hospitals induce strong craving for the drugs tempting them to steal the patients’ drugs. For instance, in Minnesota, cases of nurses tampering with syringes and replacing liquid anesthetics with saline liquids as to feed their addiction have been reported (Stahl 2013).

Furthermore, when registered nurses are addicted to substance abuse, they stand higher chances of making an impaired judgment and often show slower reaction time (Talbert 2009). Such effects compromise their work performance thereby putting their patients at risk. They, therefore, should not be allowed to work as to enhance the safety of the patients.
Therefore, substance addicted nurses should not be allowed to continue working with a special limitation on their license as they endanger the lives and health of patients. They risk the lives of their patients by using their prescribed drugs and making an impaired judgment. Thus, to ensure that the healthcare profession standards are maintained for the sake of the patient’s safety, the licenses of substance-addicted nurses should be revoked.

Reference
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Berge, K. H., Dillon, K. R., Sikkink, K. M., Taylor, T. K., & Lanier, W. L. (January 01, 2012). Diversion of Drugs Within Health Care Facilities, a Multiple-Victim Crime: Patterns of Diversion, Scope, Consequences, Detection, and Prevention. Mayo Clinic Proceedings. 87, 7, 674–682.
Talbert, J. A. J. (January 01, 2009). Substance Abuse Among Nurses. Clinical Journal of Oncology Nursing, 13, 1, 17-19.
Stahl Brandon (November 8, 2013). Special report: Addicted nurses keep licenses. StarTribune. Retrieved (February 16, 2018) from http://www.startribune.com/special-report-addicted-nurses-keep-licenses/230376611/Bottom of Form
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