REPORT: June 2005

Ask the Experts

Who do you call for presentations about nurses and addiction?

Q.: What is the difference between the outreach nurse and the regional coordinator at the Statewide Peer Assistance for Nurses (SPAN) program? Which one should I call when I need a guest speaker to give a presentation about nurses and addiction?

A.: There is some overlap between the positions. Each, however, has a different focus within SPAN. Usually, the outreach nurse is the person to call to request a presentation. Regional coordinators can and do deliver presentations, but many times their other commitments may preclude or delay a speaking engagement.

There are five regional coordinators in New York (three upstate and two downstate). Each regional coordinator responds to callers, assesses potential participants, makes referrals to approved treatment programs and other appropriate resources, trains volunteer advocates who provide one-to-one mentoring, and develops and oversees peer support groups. Currently SPAN conducts 24 peer support groups throughout the state for participating nurses.

There are two outreach nurses (one upstate and one downstate). Their role is to raise community awareness of addiction issues for nurses and the services SPAN offers to New York state licensed nurses. Outreach nurses conduct educational presentations for nursing schools, healthcare facilities and other agencies, and substance abuse treatment and employee assistance program (EAP) providers. The outreach nurse also disseminates SPAN information at local and statewide conferences, and develops collaborative contacts with resources such as treatment providers, employee assistance programs, attorneys, and regulatory agency staff.

To reach the SPAN information HelpLine, call 800-724-6976, ext. 265.