Scholarly Project Title

Assessment of a self-awareness/management program to decrease substance use among nurses

Background and aim

It has been estimated that nurses generally misuse drugs and alcohol at nearly the same rate (10-15%) as the rest of the population and that 6-8% use to the extent that it impairs their professional performance. Substance use is a problem that threatens professional standards and the delivery of quality services and, if left unchecked, can lead to grave consequences for health care consumers. While some will seek help and treatment, others continue to practice undetected. Diversion legislation has made it possible for nurses in almost all states to be channeled into treatment and recovery programs and be monitored upon the return to work without their licenses needing to be revoked or suspended. 

While nurses share many risk factors with the general population there are specific and unique factors that may increase their risk of developing a substance use disorder. The ready availability of medications is an occupational hazard. Nurses may self-diagnose and self- medicate physical pain or stress in order to continue to work. Attitudes of believing drugs are a way of coping and promoting healing as well as feeling invulnerable to the harms of substance use may heighten the odds of developing a substance use disorder. Furthermore, a lack of education about the addictive process and how to recognize the signs and symptoms is one of the greatest risks.  Awareness and prevention is needed among nurses. Self-awareness and management programs may have the potential to decrease substance use among nurses and encourage users to seek help.  The purpose of this quality improvement project is to assess various aspects of a self-awareness/management program that is under development.

Your study consisted of a sample of 73 nurses from one facility. A baseline questionnaire obtained work information (e.g., hours worked, specialty, and main duties), personal characteristics (e.g, age, gender, marital status) as well as information on their attitudes and knowledge about substance use disorders, and a few health indicators (e.g. physical pain/exhaustion, stress levels, and signs of substance misuse).  Participants were encouraged to complete quarterly rating of their physical pain/exhaustion and stress levels to increase their awareness of changes in their health. Pain/exhaustion and stress were assessed via short scales using likert type responses (Cronbach’s alpha=.75 and .89 respectively).

NOTE: This exercise must be done on your own - No group work, sharing or copying.

Using the dataset ProposalAnalysis_RNSUDdata.xlx :

Step 1: In your own words write a brief synopsis of the study, describe the sample and the data you have.  Include a table (APA format) that includes the appropriate descriptive data of all the variables.  

Step 2: Select any two of the following hypotheses

1. There is an association between main duty and substance misuse.
2. There is a correlation and predictive relationship between the number of hours worked and physical pain/exhaustion score.
3. The mean physical pain/exhaustion score differs by specialty.
4. There is a predictive relationship between the number of hours worked and baseline stress score while also controlling for age and main duty.
5. An individual’s follow-up stress scores will differ from baseline stress scores.

For each of the two hypothesis selected, in your OWN words summarize

1. What is the statistical test you chose and why was this particular test chosen? (Be sure to indicate which hypothesis was chosen)
2. State the null hypothesis
3. Evidence that you checked that the assumptions for the statistical test you choose were met (must provide evidence).
4. Summarize the results by providing the statistical findings as well as interpreting what the findings would mean to someone without using statistical terminology. Indicate if you found support for the null hypothesis or not. (include summary output tables)

Step 3: Create and describe the findings of a box and whisker plot for one of the following:

1. Baseline stress scores by gender.
2. Pain/exhaustion scores by misuse.

Step 4: Use a figure/graphic (APA format) to illustrate one of the following hypotheses mentioned above (select either 1, 3 or 5). This must be a figure/graphic other than a box and whisker plot and scatterplots will NOT count as your figure. Include a description of the figure/graphic in your write up.