Detox nursing is sucking the life out of me

ktwlpn, LPN · Sep 6, 2014

I work on a cardiac telemetry unit, but the powers that be decided we should "elevate the bar" and become a Progressive Care Unit. So in exchange for a slightly better staffing ratio we have become the ETOH detox. unit, in addition to cardiac care. We are bleeding, no, hemorrhaging RNs and

That is clearly a money driven boneheaded move-who would think THAT is a good idea? People who have not been at a bedside in YEARS.

awhite90 · Sep 9, 2014

Ripechancewoods

I really believe any detox nurse will have this experience. It's all about how you look at it. It is exhausting to feel manipulated, used, and not appreciated. What really grinds my gears is when you go through the whole admission process, then the pt gets a dose or two of methadone and then leaves later that day AMA. But it does make you feel good when you have that one patient you believe is actually trying. I've worked in a detox right out of nursing school (it was actually my only job offer as a new grad) and I became to love it. I see the same faces over and over and I can predict when I will see them again (but hopefully won't OD or die on the streets). You can tell right off the bat who is serious and who is not. Detox/psych nursing is not for everyone. The experience at my facility, we don't offer enough treatment. We medically detox the patients and send them back out without having aftercare/placement but it's all about when the insurance company stops paying. There is usually an underlying issue (past trauma, mental illness etc.) that is not being addressed in treatment which causes relapse. No person is going to find someone to be honest with and talk about their problems in a 6 day period (comeon - most addicts don't even know what the word truth means). It takes them ample time to build trust and rapport with a treatment provider. There's always so much more I wish could do for these individuals but with time and money constraints you're just forced to only hope for the best and hope to hear good news when you run into them in the future. (My favorite is when they return to school and become an addictions counselor - which I think do the best at thier job). Nursing in itself is a difficult profession, some specialties more than others. Don't get stuck in something you don't enjoy most on days. Good luck to you!

Nola009 · Sep 10, 2014

I can definitely see how detox nursing could/would lead to burn out in a hurry. Almost anything would be better than having a soul crushing job. LTC is probably a bit lighter, happier, and less draining. I'm a newer grad, and between the only two specialties I've worked in (LTC and SNF), if you need a breather but still want to work, you might try ltc. Best wishes.

gzussu · Sep 12, 2014

I'm a psych nurse but our unit is more of a substance abuse floor than psych floor. I hate it. Eighty percent of the pts are substance abuse while the minority are true psych pts. It's a joke. I didn't sign up to be a substance abuse nurse but lately that's mostly what we have been caring for. I only stay because it's a government job and I don't want to go to the private sector. It really is draining to deal with these types of patients. they are the worst to work with and I make no apologies for saying so.

supersage · Dec 24, 2014

Hi,

I worked in a detox for about 2 years. I really liked it in the beginning, but after about a year or so, I dreaded going to work. I was miserable, cranky, and just couldn't take it anymore. It's been 2 months and I haven't looked back.

You should figure out what's best for you. Good luck.

Roy Hanson · Dec 24, 2014

your burned out! this is NOT The job for you.

Of course detox is demanding. Why did these people get hooked in the first place. Many patient are career drug addicts. They have other take care of them, spill some tears. YES I am mean,& sarcastic, I used to deal with these people. I got out.

thekid · Jan 28, 2015

It sounds like you may be internalizing it too much. Remember that you can only do as much as what your patient is willing to do. As mentioned, many of these folks are career addicts and it can be very frustrating to put your heart into helping someone and watch as they get readmitted. One can run out of compassion especially when patients are moody, needy, and unwilling to change.

But yes, there will be the one person who really needs help and is willing to work for it. You will make a big difference to that one person.

I didn't work in an addictions facility but as a case manager so I was involved in the process. I'm not sure what is more frustrating than driving around a patient to pick up their SS check, sitting with them during admission and having my child go to the sitter again, just to find out the next day they told the night nurse they had SI so that they could leave the facility.

And we had the added pressure of an insurance company asking us why the patient didn't complete treatment.

I "imagined" it would all be very different. I think the only area of nursing I ever worked that wasn't a disappointment was hospice.

Don't think you are stuck there.. gather names and recommendations. Meet people. Meet case managers (like me, ha!) , colleagues, other detox facilities. You never know who may have an in to something else later on.

Carolynfward · Jun 8, 2016

I just started working as a detox nurse 5 months ago, as it was kind of one of the only nursing jobs available right out of nursing school (I am working on my RN- BSN at the same time.) I thought it would be interesting and possibly fun, but NO. It's making me question the decision to become a nurse, honestly. The patients tend to be extremely med-seeking, disrespectful, manipulative, etc. and sometimes their interactions with staff becomes actual verbal abuse. I wind up leaving at the end of the day seething and it's terrible. To make matters worse, we are horribly understaffed and there is not enough support of floor nurses by the higher-ups. Like, AT ALL. I feel trapped at this job because I don't have my BSN yet and I've only been a nurse for 5 months. Can someone who works in detox give me some advice about how to deal with these patients without going home at the end of the day with flames coming out of my ears?????

Roy Hanson · Jun 12, 2016

in favour of YOUR mental well being, not health..get out! Detox people milk you emotional, becasue they are a manipulative bunch. Some have been to detox more than 10 times. They enjoy the structure to a degree! Similar to a career criminal (jail bird), they love the structure of jail, free meals, and playing cards.

Kooky Korky, BSN, RN · Jun 23, 2016

Be patient. Do your best. That's about all you can ask of yourself because, as stated earlier, insurance and money rule the way we give health care today.

And people have to be ready for change. If they're not ready, just be patient. It might take 50 hospitalizations for someone to be ready.

Don't give up on people.

But if you are miserable, start looking elsewhere for work. Not that anywhere is so perfect, but you might find something you like better.

What are you interested in doing?

Pca_85revived, LPN · Jul 5, 2016

If it helps at all-this is so embarrassing to admit -I failed an LPN program on the last day. This led to an alcohol and pain pill addiction, eventually alcohol and heroin. I received outpatient support and if it wasn't for every person involved in my care, including the janitor, I'd be dead right now. Literally. The janitor pushed me to go to a meeting the night my drug dealer was planning to rape and murder me. Oh, and I overdosed a few times and once woke up in the ER with a .34 alcohol level. For many people dealing with addiction, it's a humiliating secret they can't wait to forget. So, just know for every one person that thanks you, there are hundreds who wish they could. I'm only one person, but hopefully it's a start. Ps-eleven years sober, working as a nurse, and two years away from a PhD:)

Roy Hanson · Jul 5, 2016

rough road..but ye did it, lass! You focus on YOURSELF..when you time, focus on others. Others will drag you down, but you give them permission to drag you down. Dont let that happen. People dealing with addiction, need to realize WHY they are addicted. What made them become addicted.