Working in addiction nursing

DWillaman72 · Feb 25, 2015

I currently work in a gov position in a residential clinical detox program (not medical detox) but I love it. I have not been pushed to grab a specialty but I feel that it is my duty as an RN to get a specialty certification. I am going for CARN this year, but it takes 1 year of experience to qualify to take the test. The more we know about the type of people we serve the better nurses we can be for them. Good Luck!

Omaapecm, ASN, RN · Feb 25, 2015

Thanks so much for the feedback!

tom7044 · Mar 10, 2015

I congratulate you on recognizing just how important specialty certification is. I think that having the CARN certification has opened doors for me. Through this certification I have the opportunity to serve on the Nevada State Board's Disability Advisory Committee. This gives me a way to serve the Board, the community and my fellow nurses. I think that Addictions Nursing is a specialty that is coming into its own. I had over 15 years working in corrections and psych and substance abuse units before I took the certification but still took about a year to prepare for this test. I am glad because the exam itself was much more difficult that I expected. I have the CCHP certification in corrections nursing and by comparison the CARN exam was more difficult. If you buy books for CARN exam review don't by the Passbooks Certified Addictions Registered Nurse test. It was a waste of time and money. The text Certification Review for CARN by Blomfield is much, much better.

The IntNSA's Core Curriculum is great but a little pricey. I work in a free-standing medical detox unit and have found my niche. These patients are by far some of the most challenging and difficult to care for but the rewards and gratification far out ways the challenges. Best wishes for your continued success.