Drinking patterns among student nurses

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Public Health
• Substance Use Research

Background:

• Alcohol consumption is prevalent among young adults.
• Understanding substance use patterns in healthcare students is crucial for patient safety and professional conduct.
• Student nurses face unique stressors that may influence alcohol use.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the patterns of alcohol consumption in a cohort of senior nursing students.
• To identify the prevalence of alcohol-related problems within this student population.
• To inform targeted interventions and support systems for nursing students.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional survey was administered to senior nursing students at a college of nursing.
• Data collected included self-reported alcohol consumption habits and experiences with alcohol-related problems.
• Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data.

Main Results:

• The majority of senior nursing students reported stable alcohol use patterns.
• 13% of the student nurses reported experiencing alcohol-related problems.
• These problems manifested in academic or work-related settings.

Conclusions:

• While most student nurses exhibit stable alcohol use, a notable minority face alcohol-related challenges.
• Early identification and intervention for at-risk students are essential.
• Nursing education programs should address substance use and provide resources for student well-being.