The Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing at Emory University announced its commitment to educating advanced practice registered nursing (APRN) students on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain. The commitment is part of academic nursing’s ongoing efforts to combat prescription drug and opioid abuse across the United States and was featured in a White House fact sheet today as part of the White House Champions of Change event on Advancing Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery.
“The Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing recognizes that opioid abuse is a pressing public health crisis and it is critical that APRN students receive education on current standards,” explains Linda McCauley, PhD, RN, dean of the nursing school. “Nurses are the largest group of health care providers and have the most prolonged interactions with patients and families. “With their expertise in health promotion and education, nurses play an integral role in early interventions that can maintain patients’ comfort and relief from suffering while minimizing the associated risks and effects of misuse.”
In early April 2016, the Administration asked the American Association of Colleges of Nursing’s (AACN) member schools with APRN programs to partner on this initiative. AACN’s President and CEO Deborah Trautman, PhD, RN, will offer remarks at White House to recognize the 191 AACN member nursing schools that have taken this pledge.
“AACN is proud of the rapid response by our membership when the Administration called to help ensure future generations of providers who prescribe opioids for chronic pain are prepared for the critical work ahead,” said Dr. Trautman. “We commend academic nursing’s dedication to ensuring our nation’s future providers are prepared to address opioid abuse and overdose using best practices.”
For a complete list of AACN member schools who have pledged, visit: www.aacn.nche.edu/opioids. For more information on the Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing, visit: nursing.emory.edu