Nurses in Training: Tackling Stigma Against Substance Abuse

In the United States, one in six people grapples with substance use disorder (SUD). Nursing schools might not be doing enough to prepare future nurses for this reality. Why is that? Well, there's a big problem called stigma. It's a harsh judgment that can make people feel ashamed or discriminated against. This stigma can seriously affect how nurses care for patients with SUD. Nursing programs are where future nurses learn their skills. But if these programs don't teach about SUD, nurses might not know how to help these patients. This lack of knowledge can lead to poor care. Imagine if a nurse didn't know how to treat a patient with diabetes because they weren't taught about it. It's the same issue here. Stigma isn't just about not knowing. It's also about how people think and feel. If nurses think badly about people with SUD, they might not give them the best care. This can make patients feel worse and might even stop them from getting the help they need. So, what can we do? Nursing schools need to step up and teach more about SUD. They need to show future nurses how to care for these patients without judgment. It's not just about learning facts. It's about changing how people think and feel. But it's not just up to the schools. Nurses themselves need to be aware of their own biases. They need to learn to see patients as people, not just as their disorders. This can make a big difference in how patients feel and how well they get treated. It's a big challenge, but it's an important one. Nurses are on the front lines of healthcare. They need to be ready to help everyone, no matter what. And that includes people with SUD.