LPN Student

Specialties Addictions

Published

Hi guys!

Quick question, I am an LPN student and ultimately I plan on going back for my RN. My question is is it possible to be an LPN and still work as an addictions nurse. I read a number of posts on here and I see that many LPNs work in an addictions facility. However, on a website I checked out said in order to become a certified addictions nurse you need to be an RN.

I saw that there are also tons of CEU's that are related to addictions but do I have to be an RN in order to take them?

Thanks a bunch!!

Amanda

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

To get certification in addictions nursing (CARN) you do have to be a RN. But you can be an addictions nurse without being certified, same as you can be a L&D nurse or a ER nurse without having certification from AWHONN or TNCC.

That being said, LVNs can and do work in addictions. If that's what you are interested in, go for it!

And education never hurts, so why not take those CEUs? LVNs can take them...in fact, some state BONs mandate that LVNs take CEUs for their license renewal. Plus, having a few CEUs in addictions may make you a more appealing candidate for jobs.

Best of luck!

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To get certification in addictions nursing (CARN) you do have to be a RN. But you can be an addictions nurse without being certified, same as you can be a L&D nurse or a ER nurse without having certification from AWHONN or TNCC.

That being said, LVNs can and do work in addictions. If that's what you are interested in, go for it!

And education never hurts, so why not take those CEUs? LVNs can take them...in fact, some state BONs mandate that LVNs take CEUs for their license renewal. Plus, having a few CEUs in addictions may make you a more appealing candidate for jobs.

Best of luck!

Thank you! That really cleared up my question! I have always been interested in the addictions field since I was really young so I feel this would be an awesome career for me to pursuit. Now that I know I am able to take these CEUS as an LPN Im going to go crazy when I graduate. I want to take them all! Haha thank you again!

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.
Thank you! That really cleared up my question! I have always been interested in the addictions field since I was really young so I feel this would be an awesome career for me to pursuit. Now that I know I am able to take these CEUS as an LPN Im going to go crazy when I graduate. I want to take them all! Haha thank you again!

Keep in mind that I'm not a LVN but a RN. I don't know if there's anything special you have to do as a LVN/LPN regarding CEUs...AFAIK it shouldn't be any different but do double-check.

But yes, you can work in addictions--I've worked with a couple of good LVNs on the unit :)

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Specializes in LTC, SNF, Rehab.

I'm a new LPN and I was hired into a mental health/drug detox clinic right after graduation. This clinic doesn't require any certification and employs more LPNs than RNs.

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