Screening, brief intervention and referral to treatment (SBIRT) by nurses to college students who use electronic cigarettes.

To examine how screening, brief intervention and referral to treatment (SBIRT) influenced nurses' knowledge, attitude, responsibility and confidence when caring for college students using electronic cigarettes (EC). Nurses (n = 8) in an urban university campus in the US. Training sessions included classroom instruction on SBIRT and EC, and practice with a standardized patient. Surveys administered pre and post training, and at conclusion. Measurement included nurse's knowledge of SBIRT and EC; and attitude, confidence and responsibility when using SBIRT. Students with past 90-day EC use were administered SBIRT by nurses and referred to health educator on request. Over 6 weeks, 103 students reported EC use, 80 received SBIRT and 36 were referred to health educator. Nurses gained knowledge, supported using SBIRT, and reported that skills increased. SBIRT is a motivational interviewing skill that nurses can learn to use to engage with college students who use EC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]