Holy COWS: Moo-ving the Dial on Complex Pain Management

Presentation Year

2026

College or Department

College of Professional Studies

Short Description of your Research or Creative Project (700 characters or less)

In the U.S., 8.9 million people misused opioids last year (SAMHSA, 2024). Humboldt County’s overdose rate is 6% above state and national averages (DHSS, 2021). Despite high prevalence rates, many providers lack confidence in managing acute pain for patients with Opioid Use Disorder (OUD), while nursing stigma further inhibits care (Raub & Vettese, 2017). Patients with OUD report discharging against medical advice (DAMA), even with life-threatening illnesses, due to inadequate pain and withdrawal management (Babbel et al.,2024). Nurses leaders can reduce DAMA, improve health outcomes/equity through standardized screening, dedicated pain management pathways, and mandatory annual staff training.

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Permission to Publish Work

Yes

Presentation File Upload

nursing-nickell-mary-202972-3x4.pdf (127.07 KB)

Primary Contact: First Name

Mary

Primary Contact: Last Name

Nickell

Primary Contact: Email

mn51@humboldt.edu

Primary Contact: I am a

Undergraduate Student

Primary Contact: Phone Number

707-826-4534

Indicate File Dimensions

4'x3'