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Impaired Nursing

Initiate testing of employee knowledge of


signs and symptoms of impaired nursing and
available resources.
-Testing current knowledge would determine
need for education.
-The test would increase awareness of issues
with impaired nursing
Monitor enrollment into local recovery
programs following testing.
-Determine if increased education regarding
nursing impairment and resources leads to
impaired nurses seeking help.


Are there any
potential limitations
with a study?
The main barriers to nurses obtaining
help are themselves or their coworkers.
When nurses are substance abusers
they experience a lot of shame and
guilt about their drug use. Shame and
guilt can be the biggest barriers to
seeking help. (Fleck, 2012)

What is the issue?
Impaired practice means the inability or
immediately imminent inability of a health
professional to practice in a manner that
conforms to the minimum standards of
acceptable practice for that health profession due
to the health professionals substance abuse,
chemical dependency or mental illness. (Michigan
Public Health Code, Section 333.16106a)
Chemical dependency affects the employer, co-
workers, patients, family and community through
absences, accidents, injuries, violence, and stress-
related illnesses.
What is a possible
research approach?
PICO Question: Does early education of
available resources influence the chances of
nurses struggling with impairment or
addiction to seek help?


Signs of Impairment
Cassaundra Braden RN
Ferris State University
Work habits - Misses work or is frequently tardy because
of illness or oversleeping; doesn't keep scheduled
appointments; has an unacceptable error rate.
Emotions Often irritable, defensive, jealous, easily
angered , depressed, withdrawn, or moody. These
behaviors affect work and relationships at work
Personal care - Personal hygiene is deteriorating.
Observations - Smells of alcohol or is observed taking
drugs or exhibits inappropriate behavior with patients.
Defensive behaviors - Becomes angry when someone
else mentions their drinking, use of drugs or emotional
instability; frequently expresses guilt about use of
alcohol or drugs.
Behavioral consequences - Continues to use drugs or
alcohol or exhibit inappropriate behavior in spite of
continuing negative personal, professional, family or
financial consequences. (LARA, 2014)

What are some
barriers to
getting help?
American Nurses Association
Standards of Professional
Performance- Standard #7:
The registered nurse practices
ethically and reports any illegal,
incompetent, or impaired practice.
(ANA, 2010)


The number of nurses struggling with
impairment would be unknown prior to
the study.
Without knowing the number of
impaired nurses there would not be
any data to compare to the number of
newly enrolled nurses in recovery
programs
An increase in enrollment in recovery
programs would still indicate a
successful study.

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