Workplace Exposures and Prescription Drug Misuse Among Nurses

OBJECTIVE This study examined the association between workplace exposure and prescription drug misuse in nurses. BACKGROUND Studies have found RNs and other health providers have higher rates of prescription misuse than the general population and have suggested that workplace exposures along with excessive job demands create circumstances fostering misuse. METHODS Survey data from 1170 RNs on workplace exposures (availability, frequency of administration, knowledge of substances, and workplace controls) were described by workplace, position, and specialty. Exposures were then related to prescription drug misuse using logistic regression. RESULTS Each workplace exposure was associated with past year prescription drug misuse. An index combining all exposures was significantly related to misuse (P = 0.001), and odds of misuse increased by 38% for each point increase in the exposure index. CONCLUSIONS Consideration of the health and well-being of nurses at higher odds of exposure to prescription drugs with misuse potential is warranted. Workplace support to help nurses maintain and restore their health should be a priority.