Prescription Stimulant Use and Misuse Among Nursing Students: A Survey Study

Substance use disorder (SUD) continues to be a serious public health burden associated with increased morbidity and mortality. The prevalence of prescription stimulant misuse ranges from 8% to 10.4% in the nursing student population.

This study had multiple aims: (a) to identify the use and misuse of prescription stimulants; (b) to investigate if relations exist between particular variables and stimulant use; and (c) to determine motives for stimulant use.

An anonymous internet survey was emailed to members of a nursing student organization inquiring about the use of prescription stimulants.

Of the 88 respondents, 55.7% reported no use, 13.6% reported appropriate use of prescribed stimulants, 11.4% reported misuse of prescribed stimulants, and 19.3% reported nonmedical prescription use. There was a statistically significant difference in grade point averages (F(3, 87) = 2.93, p = .038); membership in PanHellenic society (χ2(1, n = 29) = 4.93, p =.026); and employment status (χ2(1, n = 29) = 5.15, p = .023) between groups with appropriate use and nonmedical prescription use. Nursing students had similar motivations to findings in other studies, such as to increase energy following a late night of activities, study longer, and increase their academic edge against the competition.

This study contributes unique knowledge to the evolving literature regarding substance use and abuse in the nursing student population. The education of nursing students might include awareness of their vulnerabilities, recognition, and actions for individuals suspected of stimulant misuse.