title: The role of the addictions nurse specialist in a general hospital setting.
abstract: The four major roles of the addictions nurse specialist were defined. Specific examples of role implementation were described for the roles of practitioner, consultant, educator, and researcher. It is evident that the roles of consultant and educator permeate the roles of practitioner and researcher in the practice setting. Role differentiation among addictions nurse specialists will continue as the role becomes more widely utilized. Critical to the success of the addictions nurse specialist are (1) organizational support, (2) clearly defined role expectations, and (3) mutually established short- and long-term goals for the position.
authors.affiliation: St. Francis Regional Medical Center, Wichita, Kansas.
authors.forename: T L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Leiker
mesh_terms: D006769:Hospitals, General; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009720:Nurse Clinicians; D015399:Nursing Research; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012380:Role; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000451:nursing*