The role of the registered nurse working in substance use disorder (SUD) treatment

Abstract

<p>Today, Substance Use Disorders (SUD) are a national public health crisis. Substance Use Disorder Treatment has been a specialty in nursing for more than 30 years. However, there is minimal existing research literature on the role of the nurse working in SUD treatment; this gap in the research is particularly significant because of the current crisis. The purpose of this study was to describe the meaning of the professional role of the registered nurse working in the SUD setting. The study utilized a Heideggerian Phenomenological approach and in-depth interviews were analyzed and interpreted using a modified Colaizzi method. The nine volunteer study participants, two males and seven females, aged 27 to 60 had worked in SUD Treatment for one to thirty-seven years. Participants worked in a variety of settings including detoxification, inpatient rehabilitation, a medically monitored withdrawal service, outpatient, and an opioid treatment program.</p> <p>For participants in this study, their experiences were described around their role definition, its development, their performance within the role, and their satisfaction with the role. Three major themes, each with sub themes, emerged: Defining the Role for Self; Learning the Role; and Navigating with Ease in an Unchangeable Culture. The findings demonstrated that nurses in SUD treatment value their role and the care of patients with SUDs. Significantly, the findings highlighted an outdated role with rigid boundaries and with no real contemporary identity. Their job satisfaction especially conflicted with the literature in that only patient recovery or relapse influenced satisfaction. Findings from this study can be used to address the need for an SUD nursing identity, grounded in contemporary professional nursing roles, and to support ongoing involvement of nurses in health policy related to SUDs.</p>