Background
The studies were conducted in relation to the prevalence of the drug use in the nursing problem. They evaluated the punitive actions taken against the nurse, how different specialty report varied cases of chemical dependence. The studies used registered nurses in their analysis and engaged different quantitative research approach to draw results.
The chosen articles for this assignment are Substance use among nurses: differences between specialties ( (Trinkoff & Storr, 1998) and The Historical Context of Addiction in the Nursing Profession: 1850–1982 (Heise, 2003) . These articles meet the requirement of the Picot question which stated “In hospital and nursing home settings, how does nurses and professional drug use and none use impact the quality of services offered to patients due to the theft of drugs?” The content of the articles discusses the issue relating to addiction in the nursing profession. They demonstrate that the different factors play a role in the wide spread of the drug use in nursing which ranges from specialty and the nature of work done. Drug use is demonstrated as an issue that has been for a long time and it greatly affects the efficiency of the nurses as well as their ability to continue having a living from the practice.
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The articles are essential in answering the PICOT question. One focuses on the incidents of drug use among nurses in different specialties. This answers the question of why the differing prevalence and discusses the factors that relate to the occurrence of the dependence. The second article digs in to the history of addiction in the nursing profession, how it affects the nurses as well as the population they serve. It demonstrates that drug use was first acknowledged in the nursing profession in 1982 by the nursing authority yet to date it has not been resolved. The incidents that followed dependence were loss of licenses, income and being jailed.
Methods of Study in the Articles
In article one, the researchers used stratified sampling method where a stratified sample of registered nurses (n = 4438) was reached through anonymous mailed survey with an objective of acquiring “ valid data on factors that increase a health care worker's likelihood of substance use are integral in ensuring professional standards and quality health care for consumers” the results indicated that the prevalence of drug use was 32% but dependent on the specialty of the nurse. The drug use in different specialty remained conspicuous even with the control of social demographic conditions.
The second article is based on historical research concerning substance use in the United States. Addiction in the nursing profession is based on events drawn from the social, legal, medical and political. The information was drawn from different national organization and thus made it systematic and effective in addressing the research objective. The impacts of drug use were also identified and thus the acknowledgement of the available problem that need to be resolved to reduce implications faced by the nurse caught with drug use.
A stratified sampling method used in the survey is effective as all the faculties in nursing were equally represented. This increases the validity of the results as all the participants respond to the survey question in relation their specialty and not as a nurse in general. This helps in determining the widespread of the problem as presented in their daily interactions. Despite this, being a mailed survey, the authenticity of the information is questionable as they can feed information with the intention of protecting the image of a specialty which alters the results of the entire research.
The use of available research is essential in having a broader perspective about an issue at hand. Tracing the history of addiction in nursing is essential in helping the research to understand the trends of the problem. This is critical in identification of gaps in research and determining what needs to be done to for the efficiency of interventions in helping the impaired nurses. The limitation of this method is the biases of the researcher in choosing what to keep for the research as well as what to despise. This can result in documentation of what was appealing to the researcher and might not be as relevant as what they left out.
Results of the Study
In substance use among nurses: differences between specialties article, the prevalence of nurses dependence on all forms of substance was rated at 32%. Marijuana and cocaine was more prevalent in emergency nurses as compared to other specialties, binge drinking in administration nurses while smoking is more prevalent in psychiatric nurses. Despite the disparities, there was no difference in concerning the use of prescription drugs. This results is an indication that the specialty of a nurse plays a key role in the drug use choice irrespective of the socio-demographic factors.
In the second article, the results featured the repercussions of being caught using a drug. The punitive actions have been in place since the acknowledgment of the availability of the nursing problem. These actions ranges from; losing of their operational licenses, loss of their work and ability to undertake rehabilitation and imprisonment for violation of the employment terms.
With these findings from the articles, the producers of disciplinary actions need to be evaluated and alternatives for punitive approaches identified. This is because, the nurse dependence on chemicals is on increase and rehabilitative approaches might be helpful in encouraging them to pursue research and more valuable best practice as opposed to punitive actions (Monroe, Frances, & Kenaga, 2008) .
Implication of the Results to the Nursing Practice
The drug use in the nursing profession is increasing and estimated at one in every five nurse. Based on the articles findings, the nursing problem has been there since the ancient times and punitive actions has been in use against the nurses who are involved in the vice. Drug use varied based on the specialty of the nurse, this is an indication that despite all being registered nurses they had different chances and preferences of drug use.
The use of punitive measures is proved to be not very effective. This is because, as the available nurses continue to lose their licenses resulting from drug use, the shortage of nurses will continue to increase. The factors driving drug dependence in nursing should be addressed to reduce the rate of addiction. Basing on the outcome alone will not eliminate the problem but fuel the development of new cases over time. Impairment of nurses occurs in practice, with this in mind, the nursing council should put measures in place to ensure their employees are protected and curb the high turnover witnessed by both nurse using drugs and those overwhelmed by the factors leading their colleagues to drug use.
Outcome Comparison
The PICOT expected outcomes are low quality services, inefficiency of the nurses who uses drugs compared to those who does not and economically strained facilities. As the nurses engage in drug use, the facility need to hire their replacement and participate in their disciplinary actions. On the other hand, the patient’s satisfaction is compromised because of the high workload and working hours of the available nurse, mishandling of the patients by the drugged nurses and altered assessment of nurses leading to misdiagnosis.
The outcomes in the articles relate to the anticipated outcomes because, drug use leads to loss of nurses (dismissal) from duty and those increasing the work load of the available nurses. The specialty of nurses also relate to the incidents of drug use, this is an indication that some departments might be more affected by drug use as compared to others arising from the difference in the schedule and workloads.
References
Heise, B. (2003). The Historical Context of Addiction in the Nursing Profession: 1850–1982. Journal of Addictions Nursing, 14 (3), 117-124 .
Monroe, T., F. P., & Kenaga, H. (2008). Procedures for Handling Cases of Substance Abuse Among Nurses: A Comparison of Disciplinary and Alternative Programs. Journal of Addictions Nursing, 19 (3), 156-161.
Trinkoff, A. M., & Storr, C. L. (1998). Substance use among nurses: differences between specialties. American Journal of Public Health, 88 (4), 581-585. doi:10.2105/AJPH.88.4.581
