
—— About Us ——
We believe every nurse deserves access to treatment, help in preserving his or her license and employment status, and ongoing support throughout the recovery process.
NYSNA’s Statewide Peer Assistance for Nurses (SPAN) is a confidential education, support, and advocacy program for ALL nurses licensed in New York State, anywhere on the continuum from substance use to substance dependence.
SPAN’s mission is to be the resource for all New York State nurses affected by substance use disorders, while fostering public safety through outreach and education.The SPAN program operates on the belief that every nurse deserves access to treatment, help in preserving his or her license and employment status, and ongoing support throughout the recovery process.
To learn how to enroll in the program, have someone speak to your organization about SPAN and substance use issues, or receive more information about SPAN, please complete the form below. Be sure to include the New York State county in which you reside or work so that we may have the appropriate SPAN staff person respond to you.
Learn more about our new Compassion Project here.

Call Our Confidential Helpline: 800-457-7261
—— Contact Us ——
Name *Email *Phone *County & State of Residence *Message *SPAN REGIONS

SPAN peer support group meetings are conducted both in-person and over Zoom across New York State on a weekly basis. To join a support group meeting, you must be enrolled in the SPAN program. Requests to be enrolled in SPAN can be done by calling the SPAN HELPline at 800-457-7261, sending an email to info@statewidepeerassistance.org, or by completing the form above.
Upcoming Events
Fostering Resilience & the R.E.S.T. Framework
May 13, 2026
12:00-1:00 pm
Kristen Chalmers, LMSW, from the University of Rochester Medical Center will discuss:
Compassion Recharged: Navigating Nursing Stress & Burnout and Cultivating ConnectionWhile fulfilling, nurses are regularly subjected to stress due to the nature ofthe profession. Occupational health problems,including the effects of stress, fatigue, and burnout, pose a worldwide
challenge within the nursing profession. The webinar willbriefly discuss the visible and invisible weight of stress and burnout on
nurses. Topics such as self-awareness, emotional and mental resilience, and
self-compassion will be discussed. Strategies for cultivatingintrapersonal and interpersonal connection will be highlighted.
The Objectives and Goals of Presentation are:- Identify the impact of nursing stress/burnout;
- Learn and practice strategies for managing emotions, thought patterns, and identifying and sustaining self-care;
- Develop your own path for cultivating connection
Resources
SPANs’ mission is to be the resource for New York State Nurses affected by substance use disorders, while fostering public safety through outreach and education

For Nurses
Confidential Advocacy & Support
- Helpline for confidential inquiries
- How to access treatment and supportive services
- Compliance with the provisions of the Professional Assistance Program (PAP)
- When the need for legal assistance exists
- Peer support groups across the state at no out-of-pocket expense to the nurse
- Expert staff and trained volunteer advocates provide mentorship
- Advocacy with PAP and regulatory agencies

For Institutions
Education and Resources on Nursing and Addiction
- Employee education and supervisor training
- Consultation regarding written policies, procedures and other components of a drug-free workplace program
- Identification and resolution of fitness-for-work concerns related to nurses affected by substance use disorders
- Assessment and referral, short-term problem resolution for individual nurses requesting services
- Facilitation of return-to-work agreements
BECOME A SPAN GROUP FACILITATOR
SPAN is seeking volunteer nurses interested in helping nursing colleagues
Newsletter
Information for and about nurses in recovery
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