Brittney Majefski

What we talked about

Caring for the people who care for others

Brittney Majefski wants nurses to know that support exists before a difficult situation becomes a crisis. In this Making Names conversation, the Texas Peer Assistance Program for Nurses director discusses the pressures of nursing and the barriers that can keep professionals from seeking help. She describes TPAPN’s work with nurses facing substance use or mental health concerns through a balance of support and accountability. The goal she returns to is safe practice: helping nurses address their own well-being while keeping the needs of patients firmly in view.

A different understanding of the program

Majefski’s interest in TPAPN became personal through her work as a psychiatric mental health nurse. During the pandemic, colleagues were referred to the program, and she realized how little she understood about it. Asking the team questions changed her impression and eventually drew her into the work. She shares that story to show how uncertainty can persist even within the profession. A program’s reputation may not reflect what it actually does, and an honest conversation can be the first step toward replacing assumptions with a clearer understanding.

Support does not mean an easy process

Majefski is direct that monitoring and recovery can be demanding. She describes case managers working with nurses, connecting them with resources and using monitoring to support accountability. Peer support is another part of the conversation: having someone who understands nursing can reduce the feeling of facing a hard situation alone. She distinguishes that role from being a sponsor and explains the value she sees in the Nurses Helping Nurses volunteer model. Her emphasis is on individualized support, not a single path or a promise that every participant will have the same experience.

Fear can delay the first conversation

Stigma is a recurring theme throughout the interview, especially around substance use. Majefski describes how fear of being judged or losing access to work-related resources can make it harder for a nurse to say something is wrong. She wants employers and colleagues to think about how their response affects the willingness to seek help early. That does not remove the responsibility to protect patients. Rather, she argues for cultures that take concerns seriously while making a route to appropriate support easier to understand. Early intervention is an opportunity she does not want the profession to miss.

Know where to find accurate information

The conversation also connects nurse well-being with workforce sustainability. Majefski asks leaders to consider the experience and continuity that can be lost when nurses leave, alongside the human reasons for supporting recovery. She closes by directing people to TPAPN’s official resources and encouraging questions about whether the program fits a particular situation. She also mentions workplace assistance and wellness resources. For readers exploring the subject, the official program is the place to check current eligibility, referral and monitoring requirements; this interview is an introduction, not individualized clinical or licensing advice.