|
ISNA/ISNAP Educational Session Well
Received
On September 21, 2007, the Indiana State Nurses Association (ISNA) hosted
the second annual ISNA/Indiana State Nurses Assistance Program workshop at
the Holiday Inn Select at the Airport in Indianapolis. Over 120 nurses,
students, EAPs, Board of Nursing members and staff, and treatment providers
attended.
This year’s theme was “Chronic Pain and the Addicted Nurse.” The keynote
speaker was Joanne Schneider, MSN, BSN, CNS, CNP. She is the clinical nurse
specialist with Cleveland Clinic’s Psychiatric and Chronic Pain Management
Program where she has worked since 1978. During her presentation she
highlighted the following:
1. Both chronic pain and addiction are lifelong illnesses that cannot be
cured but can be managed to reduce suffering and improve function.
2. People with addictive disorders have the right to be treated with respect
and receive the same quality of pain management as all others.
3. The likelihood of a successful treatment outcome will be far greater if
the issue of addiction is identified and treated in conjunction with chronic
pain rather than discovering it after problems develop and treatment is
negatively impacted.
Jim Ryser, MA, LMHC, CADAC II, Program Coordinator for Clarian Behavioral
Health’s Chronic Pain Rehabilitation Program, spoke on “Chronic Pain and the
12 Steps.” He addressed pain management from the perspective of the 12 Steps
of AA/NA. He emphasized that “pain is inevitable…misery optional.” Chronic
pain is manageable with the resources of the medical model of treatment and
the 12 Steps of AA/NA. Both Jim and Joanne were very well received by the
attendees.
Later in the day there was a panel of worksite monitors who addressed
“Managing Chronic Pain in the Workplace.” The panel looked at how to
facilities can establish systems (policy and procedures) in the employment
setting to better monitor the nurse who may have acute or chronic pain and
comes to work on a daily basis dealing with these issues.
Lastly, there was a panel of recovering nurses who very courageously shared
their stories of addiction and recovery. For many of those in attendance,
this was the highlight of this year’s workshop. Recovery works!
ISNA would like to thank the following sponsors who continue to support
ISNA/ISNAP in providing a Needs Assistance Fund to assist nurses with
payment of the urine drug screens while in monitoring and to assist with
future research or other worthwhile endeavors:
Gold Sponsors: TARA Treatment Center & Clarian Behavioral Health &
Chronic Pain Program.
Silver Sponsors: Fairbanks Recovery Center & Witham Toxicology Labs.
Bronze Sponsors: St. Francis Hospital, St. John’s Center – Anderson,
& Community Health Systems – Gallahue.
Exhibitor: St. Vincent’s Stress Center
Commercial Support: Alkermes, Inc.
The workshop “Chronic Pain and the Addicted Nurse” was approved for 4.8
contact hours by the Ohio Nurses Association (OBN-001-91). Approval valid
through August 23, 2009. (ONA #13,440).
The Ohio Nurses Association is an accredited approver by the American Nurses
Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.
|
