Hey everyone,

I am an RN and I am a recovering narcotic addict. I'm trying to consider what options I have when I go back to work. I was a good nurse but I feel like at least for awhile I need a position in some area of nursing that has limited narcotic access. I've always been a med surg and critical care nurse and i don't feel like I can go back to that so soon into my recovery. I want to be able to provide for my patients without constantly having "getting high" on my mind. I thought about psych nursing. Does anyone have any experience with that? Thanks for any suggestions.

Michaela :stone

Hey everyone,

I am an RN and I am a recovering narcotic addict. I'm trying to consider what options I have when I go back to work. I was a good nurse but I feel like at least for awhile I need a position in some area of nursing that has limited narcotic access. I've always been a med surg and critical care nurse and i don't feel like I can go back to that so soon into my recovery. I want to be able to provide for my patients without constantly having "getting high" on my mind. I thought about psych nursing. Does anyone have any experience with that? Thanks for any suggestions.

Michaela :stone

Phone triage nurse?

Psych may have it's own set of drugs that could be difficult for you to be around.

Congratulations on your recovering; stay strong; I hear this is a difficult, but doable, path.

NurseFirst

What about home health? Not hospice of course, but regular home health. The only meds I had contact with when I worked there were antibiotics. I loved home health, but hated the paper work. Good luck and you are very wise to be aware of the possible temptations and trying to avoid them.

No suggestions, but congrats!

What exactly does a phone triage nurse do? I want to thank everyone for their replies.

Michaela

What exactly does a phone triage nurse do? I want to thank everyone for their replies.

Michaela

You might consider the Veterans Administration Hospitals if they are anywere

near you. They have a program called safe harbor for anyone having a problem

like you have had. There a places in the clinics were the staff isn't anywere

near medication. Congratulations on what you have accomplished.

:balloons: :Melody:

Do you like working with children? Pediatrics may be an option. Good luck to you!!! Julie

Public health is a good option.

Thanks alot to everyone, it seems I have alot more options that I thought I had. Thanks again!!

Michaela

How about case management? You have great experience as a nurse that would lend well to that. Or maybe a PICC nurse (they have nurses who are trained to insert PICC lines at my work). Good luck to you!