Substance use disorders in nursing

Case Study for Analysis Maria is a 42-year-old nurse with 15 years of experience in the emergency department. Colleagues have noticed changes in her behavior over the past six months, including increased irritability, volunteering for extra shifts, frequent bathroom breaks during shifts, and discrepancies in medication documentation. Several patients reported inadequate pain control despite Maria documenting administration of prescribed opioid medications. When confronted by her supervisor, Maria initially denied any issues but eventually admitted to diverting medications for personal use following a back injury that led to prescription opioid use two years prior. Analyze the provided case study of a nurse struggling with substance use. In your initial discussion post address the following: Current statistics on substance use disorders among nurses compared to the general population and other healthcare professionals Common substances misused by nurses (prescription medications, alcohol, etc.) Workplace access factors unique to nursing which facilitate substance access or use Stressors that contribute to vulnerability (shift work, emotional burden, physical demands) Signs and symptoms of Marias impairment in the clinical setting and early warning signs that were overlooked Impact on patient care and professional relationships Reporting mechanisms that functioned or failed Legal and ethical obligations of colleagues who suspected impairment Present one evidence-based alternative-to-discipline programs designed to help nurses with substance use disorders This assignment requires students to explore substance use disorders (SUDs) within the nursing profession, examining prevalence, risk factors, impacts on patient care, early intervention strategies, and available support systems. Objectives Upon completion of this assignment, students will be able to: students will be able to: o Identify the prevalence and patterns of substance use in the nursing profession o Describe occupational risk factors that contribute to substance use vulnerability o Analyze the impact of nurse impairment on patient safety and care quality o Evaluate prevention, detection, and intervention strategies o Examine professional, ethical, and legal considerations related to impaired nursing practice o Develop recommendations for supportive workplace environments Assignment aligns with AACN Competencies 8.1c, 8.1d, 8.1e, 9.1e, 9.4c BSN Program Outcomes: Utilize professional communication to act as an advocate and deliver culturally sensitive person-centered care adhering to ethical and legal frameworks. Guidelines Initial Post: Minimum of two (2) total references: one (1) from required course materials and one (1) from peer-reviewed references. References must be five years old or less, 2020-2026. Peer Responses: Minimum of one (1) peer-reviewed reference. WEBSITES are NOT considered peer-reviewed. Words Limits o Initial Post: Minimum 200 words excluding references (approximately one (1) page) o Response posts: Minimum 100 words excluding references. Respond before seeing other replies