Signs & Symptoms
This is a common behavioral sign that a nurse may be abusing substances on the job.
A: What is frequent absenteeism or tardiness?
The high-stress nature of this work environment is a known risk factor for substance abuse in this career.
A: What is nursing?
Nurses are considered what?
A: What is mandatory reporters
This type of education helps nurses recognize and respond to stressors.
A: What is stress reduction programs?
You notice your coworker frequently leaves the med cart unattended and avoids patients after giving pain meds. What should you do?
A: What is report the behavior to a supervisor or follow facility policy?
Slurred speech, poor coordination, and drowsiness may be signs of this type of substance use.
A: What are CNS depressants or alcohol use?
Nurses are at an increased risk for substance use disorder because?
A: High-stress environments, easy access to medication, workplace culture, and emotional fatigue
This is why substance abuse by nurses is taken seriously—it can compromise patient care and violates the trust placed in the profession.
A: What is the fact that nurses are held to high ethical and professional standards?
This workplace program offers confidential help for nurses struggling with personal or professional challenges, including substance use.
A: What is an Employee Assistance Program (EAP)?
A nurse confides in you that they’re struggling with addiction but fear losing their job. What is your best response?
A: What is encourage them to seek help through the facility's support resources?
A nurse frequently volunteers to administer narcotics and patients complain of unmanaged pain. This could indicate what?
A: What is drug diversion?
Nurses with a personal or family history of this are at increased risk.
A: What is addiction or substance use disorder?
This is one of the major consequences nurses may face if caught diverting drugs or working while impaired.
A: What is the risk of losing a nursing license or facing legal consequences?
Encouraging open conversations, team check-ins, and a judgment-free environment promotes this type of workplace culture.
A: What is a supportive or non-punitive culture?
Your coworker has bloodshot eyes, smells of alcohol, and is preparing to give meds. What’s your ethical responsibility?
A: What is intervene immediately and report the impairment?
Mood swings, irritability, and secretive behavior are all red flags for what?
A: What is possible substance abuse?
This shift type is often linked to burnout and potential substance misuse.
A: What are night shifts or rotating shifts?
Substance abuse programs for nurses aim to achieve this delicate goal—ensuring patient safety while offering treatment and rehabilitation opportunities.
A: What is the balance between protecting the public and supporting the nurse?
This prevention strategy involves educating nurses and staff to identify behavioral and physical warning signs of substance use in colleagues and respond through proper channels.
A: What is training staff to recognize early signs and respond appropriately?
A nurse returning from a treatment program is back at work under restrictions. What should the team do?
A: What is offer support, follow guidelines, and avoid stigma?
What are some commonly abused substances?
A: What is prescription opioids, benzodiazepines, alcohol, and stimulants
Nurses who struggle to deal with stress in healthy ways may lack these psychological tools, leading to maladaptive behaviors like substance use.
A: What are coping skills?
Failure to act on known substance abuse in a coworker could lead to this legal issue.
A: What is negligence or malpractice?
This workplace initiative focuses on reducing stress, encouraging self-care, and supporting emotional well-being to prevent substance abuse among nurses.
A: What is promoting mental health awareness and burnout prevention?
A patient reports their pain isn’t controlled despite receiving narcotics. What could this indicate?
A: What is potential drug diversion?