News

SHUNT SELF-SURVEY FOR NURSES: PILOT TEST STUDY RESULTS OF NURSES BETWEEN 44-58 YEARS OF AGE AND LICENSED OVER 15 YEARS
Self-screening tools currently in use to identify substance use disorders (SUDs) do not provide advanced warning indicative of risk for individuals with no prior history, nor do they provide a measure by which to gauge the quality of recovery from such disorders. As nurses with SUDs pose a threat to themselves and patients in their care, a self-survey specifically designed to identify early indicators of risk for SUDs in nurses was developed. The purpose of this study was to compare the score of nurses in recovery from SUDs to the score of nurses who reported no issue with substance use, and to compare the current score of nurses in recovery to their score on the same items based on their recall of circumstances in the three months prior to sobriety. This pilot test demonstrated similar current scores for all nurses sampled while great disparities existed in the current score of nurses in recovery versus their score on the same items based on recall of their circumstances in three months prior to sobriety. Further studies are needed to construct validity, reliability and to test internal consistency but given the potential benefits, self-survey by all nurses, particularly those with a genetic predisposition or past history of substance abuse, seems warranted. Read full article

SEQUEL
If you are a nurse in long-term recovery who is willing to share your story without reference to your name, location or other personal identifiers, six to eight more stories of nurses in long-term recovery are needed to complete the sequel to "Unbecoming A Nurse."

With the deepest respect for your personal anonymity as well as the struggle, heartache, foibles and triumphs recovery entails, I invite you to share your story. Help me raise the volume of nurses' voices in recovery to an audible level so that others, especially those in a fledgling recovery, may have greater hope and awareness of the rough spots. Assist me in presenting a more complete picture to colleagues and the public. Perhaps this will serve to mitigate a portion of the stigma and futility some individuals or organizations subscribe to.

Doubt you can write your story? Need help or encouragement getting started? Prefer to tell me your story verbally and have me write a draft for you to amend and then submit? Feel free to do what many have already done - email paula@unbecominganurse.org or call me at 718-227-1469 to discuss your thoughts or concerns. The ultimate goal of the sequel is to give a voice to your recovery- your experience, strength and hope - while shrouding your identity so others may benefit from your hindsight and see the RECOVERY side of chemical dependency illuminated.

RESEARCH
An article on the incidence of prescription medication misuse and other risk factors for developing substance use disorders in student nurses is currently being drafted.