The Chemically Impaired Professional Substance abuse among nurses is a problem that threatens the delivery of quality care and professional standards of nursing (Talbert, J. 2009). Drug and alcohol abuse is a serious health and social problem in the United States. Addiction and dependency affect adolescents and older adults, all ethnicities, and all socioeconomic levels. The prevalence of alcohol and drug abuse in the nursing population is believed to parallel that of the general population (Talbert, J. 2009). In this paper I will explain the definition of substance abuse. I will also identify some of the statistics that show just how significant the numbers are for substance abuse among nursing professionals, as well as some of the things that can cause a person to develop a substance abuse problem as a
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Approximately 5% of registered nurses are alcoholics and 3% are dependent on drugs (Epstein, P. M., Burns, C., & Conlon, H. A. 2010).
Approximately 10% of the nursing population has alcohol and drug abuse problems, and 6% has problems serious enough to interfere with their ability to practice. The American Nurses Association (ANA) estimated that 6%-8% (130,000 to 170,000) of nurses use alcohol or drugs to the extent that professional judgement is impaired. Impaired nursing practice is defined as a nurse’s inability to perform essential job functions because of chemical dependency on drugs or alcohol or mental illness (Talbert, J. 2009). Since the early 1970’s impairment has been studied among the nursing profession and has been linked to several factors. The first factor is family history. Nurses who have a family history of emotional impairment, alcoholism, drug use, or emotional abuse, resulting in low self-esteem, overwork, and overachievement, are at greater risk for using or abusing substances (Talbert, J.
Approximately 5% of registered nurses are alcoholics and 3% are dependent on drugs (Epstein, P. M., Burns, C., & Conlon, H. A. 2010).
Approximately 10% of the nursing population has alcohol and drug abuse problems, and 6% has problems serious enough to interfere with their ability to practice. The American Nurses Association (ANA) estimated that 6%-8% (130,000 to 170,000) of nurses use alcohol or drugs to the extent that professional judgement is impaired. Impaired nursing practice is defined as a nurse’s inability to perform essential job functions because of chemical dependency on drugs or alcohol or mental illness (Talbert, J. 2009). Since the early 1970’s impairment has been studied among the nursing profession and has been linked to several factors. The first factor is family history. Nurses who have a family history of emotional impairment, alcoholism, drug use, or emotional abuse, resulting in low self-esteem, overwork, and overachievement, are at greater risk for using or abusing substances (Talbert, J.