Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

State policies and nurses with substance use disorders.

Mary R Haack1, Carolyn J Yocom

  • 1College of Nursing, Rutgers, State University of New Jersey, Newark, NJ, USA. Haack@nightingale.rutgers.edu

Journal of Nursing Scholarship : an Official Publication of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing
|March 21, 2002
PubMed
Summary

Alternative policies for nurses with substance use disorders (SUD) showed similar relapse rates to disciplinary actions but offered a more humane approach. This supports improved access to treatment and workforce retention.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Medicaid reimbursement of primary care providers for treatment of substance use disorders.

Substance abuse·2013
Same author

Facilitating Self-Management of Substance Use Disorders with Online Counseling: The Intervention and Study Design.

Journal of addictions nursing·2011
Same author

Engaging Client's Family and Friends in Online Counseling.

Journal of addictions nursing·2009
Same author

Therapeutic emails.

Substance abuse treatment, prevention, and policy·2007

Area of Science:

  • Nursing Workforce
  • Substance Use Disorders
  • Health Policy

Background:

  • Nurses with substance use disorders (SUD) face significant challenges impacting workforce retention.
  • State regulatory policies vary in their approach to managing nurses with SUD.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare the effectiveness of traditional disciplinary policies versus alternative rehabilitative policies for nurses with SUD.
  • To assess the impact of these policies on relapse rates and retention in the nursing workforce.

Main Methods:

  • Longitudinal comparative study over six months with 219 nurses (RNs and LPN/VNs).
  • One group (n=100) faced traditional disciplinary actions; the alternative group (n=119) was diverted to treatment programs.
  • Data collected via mailed surveys at six intervals.

Related Experiment Videos

Main Results:

  • The alternative policy group had more nurses with active licenses, fewer criminal convictions, and higher employment rates.
  • No significant difference in relapse rates was observed between the two policy approaches.
  • Less than 15% of nurses in both groups relapsed within the six-month study period.

Conclusions:

  • Alternative, rehabilitative policies are as effective as disciplinary ones for nurses with SUD.
  • These alternative policies represent a more humane and supportive approach to treatment and workforce reintegration.
  • Findings align with Healthy People 2010 recommendations to reduce treatment access barriers.