Nurses' values when caring for persons suffering from substance use disorder: A hermeneutical study.

Area of Science:

• Nursing
• Addiction Care
• Ethical Practice

Background:

• Individuals with substance use disorders (SUD) often present complex health needs requiring specialized care.
• Low-threshold centers provide essential services to this vulnerable population.
• Nurses in these settings require a strong ethical foundation to address multifaceted patient needs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the ethical and ontological values guiding nurses' work with individuals suffering from SUD.
• To gain a deeper understanding of the motivations and principles underlying compassionate care in addiction services.

Main Methods:

• A qualitative hermeneutical approach was employed.
• Focus-group interviews were conducted with five nurses at a Norwegian low-threshold center.
• Data analysis utilized Gadamer's hermeneutics for in-depth interpretation.

Main Results:

• Nurses are motivated by a strong "wish to be useful" and a desire to combat injustice and stigma.
• Neighborly love is identified as a core value, fostering humility and privilege in providing care.
• Nurses act as crucial client advocates, monitoring conditions and intervening to save lives.

Conclusions:

• Nurses' ethos of usefulness guides their practice, emphasizing compassionate care.
• Sacrifice emerges as a profound expression of neighborly love, empowering nurses as advocates.
• Ethical values are central to effective nursing care for individuals with substance use disorders.