Outcomes of Substance Use Disorder Monitoring Programs for Nurses

Introduction: Substance use disorder (SUD) continues to be a leading public health concern for state boards of nursing (BONs). Aims: To assess the SUD program completion rates and determine the program characteristics associated with program completion. Methods: A retrospective cohort study of 7,737 nurses participating in SUD programs between the years 2007 and 2015 was conducted. Bivariate analyses explored variables of successful program completion, and a forward stepwise logistic regression model was run to assess predictors of program success or failure. Results: Successful program completion correlated with the number of years in the program (r = 0.30). The highest percentage of nurses completing a program was at around the 5-year mark. Additionally, 26 random drug tests, 25 support group meetings, and 55 to 60 mutual support group meetings per year were associated with successful program completion. Conclusions: Bimonthly random drug tests, daily check-ins, and a minimum 3-year length of stay in a program were associated with successful program completion. Attending structured support group meetings and mutual support meetings were also useful. Convening an expert panel to review these results and develop formal guidelines that can be tested by BONs are recommended next steps.