News Releases

University of Maryland School of Nursing Takes Pledge on Opioid Education as Announced at the White House

May 2, 2016

Commitment is effort to combat prescription drug and opioid abuse in U.S.

Baltimore, Md.  – As part of  academic nursing’s ongoing efforts to combat prescription drug and opioid abuse across the United States, the University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) is pleased to announce that it has committed to educating its 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 was featured in a White House fact sheet as part of the White House Champions of Change event on Advancing Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery.  Katherine Fornili, MPH, RN, CARN, assistant professor, represented the School at the event held on Friday, April 29.

“As a faculty member of the University of Maryland School of Nursing, and a certified addictions registered nurse, I am proud of our school for taking the pledge to educate all of our students about opioid use, abuse, and overdose,” Fornili said. “I am also pleased that we will be teaching our advanced practice nurses about safer opioid prescribing that is consistent with the CDC Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain.”

The Obama Administration asked the American Association of Colleges of Nursing’s (AACN) member schools with APRN programs to partner on this initiative. UMSON recognizes that opioid abuse is a pressing public health crisis, and it is critical that APRN students receive education on current standards.

"It is vitally important that we prepare our students to deal with emerging public health issues. Clearly, opioid abuse has become an epidemic in our country and threatens the health and well-being of thousands of individuals, their families, and our communities,” said UMSON Dean Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN. “In response to this, we have joined with the American Association of Colleges of Nursing to ensure that our advanced practice registered nursing students are educated and can do their part in combating the inappropriate use of prescription drugs and opioids."

AACN’s president and CEO Deborah Trautman, PhD, RN, FAAN, offered remarks at the 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.”

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The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools. Enrolling more than 1,700 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.