Identifying demographic, personal, and professional predictors of nurses’ alcohol and opioid use–related motivation using a national sample of professional nurses: Implications for nursing education

Background: A highly motivated nursing workforce is needed to contribute to reducing the prevalence of and consequences associated with alcohol and opioid use in the United States. Understanding factors that influence nurses’ motivation to care for patients with alcohol and opioid use–related problems can inform recommendations for nurse educators to motivate current and future nurses to care for this patient population. Objective: To examine demographic/background characteristics, personal perceptions, and professional attitudes as predictors of professional nurses’ motivations to care for patients with alcohol and opioid use–related problems. Methods: This online national survey of a sample of professional nurses utilized a cross-sectional correlational design. Nursing professionals who participated in the study were aged 18 years or older and were current members of one of the four selected nursing organizations. Results: A total sample of 460 professional nurses were included in the final analysis. Predictors of professional nurses’ motivation to provide alcohol and opioid use–related care consisted of working in a community-based setting, perceived dangerousness, considering alcohol and opioid use as a disease, substance use work experience, and work satisfaction. The study also identified several significant two-way interactions for motivation relative to alcohol and opioid use care. Conclusions: Using the findings of the present study, the authors highlight insights and recommendations for nurse educators to promote professional nurses’ alcohol and opioid use–related motivation.