I am a new RN working on a med/surge/oncology unit at a community hospital for almost 3 months now. This unit gets a lot of psych as well -- medical detoxes -- before the pt is stable enough to be transferred to one of the psychiatric units. My heart is really in addictions. I was originally going to school to be a counselor and had several friends who were nurses that talked me into the nursing route. Unfortunately, the money is so bad in the counseling field that I would have been making less than I was as an Admin. Asst. I know that sounds awful, but it is the truth! I really want to stick it out one year with what I am doing first. I am learning so much. It is much more difficult than I imagined, but I don't want fear to stop me. Anyway, my question is... I've been looking into working on any certifications in the addictions field. I am in Massachusetts. So far, I've come across the International Nurses Society on Addictions. Unable to obtain much info w/o first joining which I plan to do. Am I on the right track continuing to work where I am and looking into the CARN certification. I have an Associates RN. At this point, I'm not looking at getting my BSN right away d/t $$$, time away from my family, etc. Sorry to be longwinded. This is the first time I've posted for advice.
Would you like to comment?
. My only dissatisfaction with working detox..is the it is working detox. I get them medically stable and don't feel like I get to prepare them on the rest of their journey. I would love to work in a longer term rehab facility vs. acute psych.
