“If people don't understand these are brain-based disorders… They don't understand the person who's in front of them:” Substance use–related content for nurse practitioner curricula

Background: Substance use remains a public health crisis. Fewer than 25% of nurse practitioners report agreeing that they have the education and training needed to manage the care of patients with substance use disorders and often feel as though managing substance use disorders is beyond their scope of practice. Educational interventions during nurse practitioner education can improve knowledge and confidence related to treating substance use disorders, ultimately increasing the likelihood that nurse practitioners will choose to treat patients affected by substance use. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore what substance use–related content is essential to include in nurse practitioner curricula, focusing on emerging public health threats, knowledge and skills necessary to prepare nurse practitioners to manage substance use disorders, specific content necessary for substance use–inclusive curricula, and barriers to and facilitators of substance use–inclusive curricula. Methodology: A qualitative, descriptive design was used, leveraging individual, semistructured key informant interviews. Results: Eight themes emerged, including diagnostic knowledge and neurobiology; substance use severity; nonpharmacological interventions; pharmacological treatment interventions; the importance of addressing provider characteristics; treatment access and quality; psychosocial and historical considerations; and emerging issues and special populations. Conclusions: Nurse practitioners can effectively address the substance use epidemic but must be adequately prepared with the knowledge and skills to do so. By adequately preparing nurse practitioners during their graduate education, nurse practitioners can mitigate gaps in substance use care, further advancing population health. Implications: Nurse practitioner educators should be aware of evolving topics essential to substance use–inclusive curricula.