Nurses' Attitudes Toward Impaired Colleagues

This study describes the attitudes of Oregon nurses toward substance abuse, substance abusers in general and impaired nurses in particular. Questionnaires were mailed to 500 randomly selected nurses, and 396 replied. Overall, nurses' attitudes, as measured by Chappel's Substance Abuse Attitude Survey (SAAS), were positive, as were their attitudes toward impaired colleagues. Regarding alcohol-impaired nurses, 77 percent of the respondents were willing to confront them, 67 percent favored their return to practice and 85 percent would accept them as co-workers if hired. Corresponding percentages for drug-impaired colleagues were 76 percent, 54 percent, and 73 percent. Nurses less approving of treatment interventions, more optimistic about treatment, employed for fewer years and with a baccalaureate or higher degree were more positive and supportive of impaired nurses than were their counterparts.