Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services
Vol. 47 No. 5 May 2009
Preventing Unsafe Alcohol Consumption on the 21st Birthday: Roles for
Nurses
Anne Durkin, PhD, RN; and Lisa G. O’Connor, EdD, RN
ABSTRACT
Because of its legal significance, the 21st birthday is considered a
milestone event. Research reveals that turning 21 is an occasion that is often
marked by the ingestion of excessive, perhaps even lethal, amounts of alcohol.
Peer pressure and lack of knowledge about the potentially life-threatening
effects of alcohol overconsumption can make this birthday a perilous event.
Birthday rituals have developed that encourage reckless consumption. Literature
addressing the prevalence of excessive drinking among college students is
abundant. However, the authors found minimal literature addressing the
potential contribution of nurses toward the reduction of unsafe alcohol
consumption among young adults celebrating their 21st birthday. This article
provides a brief review of the physiological effects of alcohol and practical
suggestions for promoting safety among young adults celebrating this milestone
birthday.
AUTHORS
Dr. Durkin is Associate Professor of Nursing and Dr. O’Connor is
Assistant Professor of Nursing, Quinnipiac University, Hamden, Connecticut.
The authors disclose that they have no significant financial interests in
any product or class of products discussed directly or indirectly in this
activity, including research support.
The authors gratefully acknowledge G. Alan Marlatt, PhD, and George A.
Parks, PhD, for generously sharing information about the Brief Alcohol
Screening and Intervention for College Students (BASICS) and Cindy McCue for
granting the authors permission to include information about the B.R.A.D.
Foundation in this article.
Address correspondence to Anne Durkin, PhD, RN, Associate Professor of
Nursing, Quinnipiac University, EC-NRS, 275 Mount Carmel Avenue, Hamden, CT
06518; e-mail: anne.durkin@quinnipiac.edu.
doi:10.9999/02793695-20090331-04
Analysis of the Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Workforce in the United
States
Nancy P. Hanrahan, PhD, RN
ABSTRACT
A shortage of RNs is a problem that has reached crisis levels in the United
States and many other countries. The inadequate supply of RNs translates into
limited access for individuals who need health care. The U.S.
psychiatric-mental health RN (PMH RN) workforce is virtually unstudied. The
purposes of this article are to present a nationally representative
demographic, education, and employment profile of PMH RNs, analyze issues
associated with the supply of PMH RNs, and discuss options for building the PMH
RN workforce.
AUTHOR
Dr. Hanrahan is Assistant Professor, School of Nursing, Center for Health
Outcomes and Policy Research, and Senior Fellow, Leonard Davis Institute of
Economics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The author discloses that she has no significant financial interests in any
product or class of products discussed directly or indirectly in this activity.
This project was supported by a research fellowship from the National Institute
of Nursing Research, National Institutes of Health (T32NR7104).
The author thanks Gail Stuart, PhD, RN, for her review and comments. In
addition, Sue Strzelczyk, a nursing student at the University of Pennsylvania,
School of Nursing, did an outstanding job editing the manuscript.
Address correspondence to Nancy P. Hanrahan, PhD, RN, Assistant Professor,
School of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania, Claire Fagin Hall #384, 418
Curie Drive, Philadelphia, PA 19104-4217; e-mail:
nancyp@nursing.upenn.edu.
doi:10.9999/02793695-20090331-01
Clinical Coaching in Forensic Psychiatry: An Innovative Program to Recruit
and Retain Nurses
Gail Thorpe, RN, MSc, CPMHN(C); Pamela Moorhouse, RN, CPMHN(C); and
Carolyn Antonello, RN, BScN, CPMHN(C)
ABSTRACT
Ontario is currently experiencing a nursing shortage crisis. Recruitment and
retention of nursing staff are critical issues. In response, retention
strategies have been developed by the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term
Care. The Late Career Nurse Initiative is one such strategy. This innovative
program encourages nurses age 55 and older to remain in the workforce by
providing opportunities to use their nursing experience in less physically
demanding alternate roles for a portion of their time. The Royal Ottawa Health
Care Group has developed a clinical coach program in forensics that matches
these veteran nurses with new graduates or nurses new to forensic psychiatric
nursing. The program has resulted in retention rates of more than 91% after 1
year. This article provides background about the program and highlights its
outcomes.
AUTHORS
Ms. Thorpe is Professional Practice Coordinator, Ms. Moorhouse is Group
Leader, Forensics, and Ms. Antonello is Staff Nurse, Schizophrenia Clinic,
Royal Ottawa Health Care Group, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
The authors disclose that they have no significant financial interests in
any product or class of products discussed directly or indirectly in this
activity, including research support.
Address correspondence to Gail Thorpe, RN, MSc, CPMHN(C), Professional
Practice Coordinator, Nursing Professional Practice, Royal Ottawa Mental Health
Centre, 1145 Carling Avenue, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1Z 7K4; e-mail
gthorpe@rohcg.on.ca.
doi:10.9999/02793695-20090331-02
