Can lpns become addictions nurses?

BeJuled · Jun 27, 2012

Maybe it depends on the area but I just got a job as an LVN in CA in a drug & alcohol detox and rehab facility. I'm still getting used to all of my duties but mainly I give meds, talk to the doctors and take orders, do admissions, drug testing, monitor withdrawal symptoms, send them to ER as necessary and I'm sure theres more but that's the majority of it!

I like it so far, it can be stressful but I feel like its a good opportunity and a supportive working environment!

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Jun 27, 2012

When I was an LVN, I worked a PRN job at a psychiatric hospital on the adult chemical dependency unit. Almost all of my patients had substance abuse issues.

royhanosn · Jul 1, 2012

I love the terms used now for alcoholics, drug users..chemical dependency uses, addiction, substance abuse.

calling a spade a spade, do they do a background check to see what/why these people started.

poppycat, ADN, BSN · Jul 6, 2012

Why would you need a background check to see why "these people" started? Chemical dependency & crime do not always go hand in hand!

royhanosn · Jul 6, 2012

that is the key to how & why these people got into drugs in the first place. !

poppycat, ADN, BSN · Jul 6, 2012

That's a very broad & biased generalization, royhanosn. I have absolutely no criminal background that would account for me becoming an alcoholic. To assume that every person with a substance abuse problem is a criminal is wrong. Most of the time the criminal acts are the result of the addiction. You need to study up a little & get your facts straight.

SweetPEI · Jul 6, 2012

I disagree royhanosn. Many people start using for various reasons. Criminal history may not be a part of it. Some people start using simply because of severe depression, developing an addiction to their prescription drugs, boredom, peer pressure, some people have even been forced to take drugs and then become addicted. And yes some people have a drug and criminal history that go hand in hand. A patient its a patient. Their history is available in their chart so that the healthcare team can know how to care for and develop a treatment plan for that patient. Background checks are not part of that. That is trying to find out information beyond what is necessary

royhanosn · Jul 6, 2012

not saying that! Agreed with patient history. Why did drug or booze problem start. A documentary yesterday about addiction (drugs or booze), showed the hot spots in the brain that are affected, frontal cortex. Sweet & Karen..if permitted, you have to look at the broader picture. The doctors I work with, get into the why of addiction. Background check is not meaning the cops. I am referring to the patient. They know why they got into. thanks for the return comments, good to see neurons being stimulated.

poppycat, ADN, BSN · Jul 6, 2012

Thank you for clarifying, rayhanosn. When you said background check, I thought you meant criminal background check. You do have to get as complete a history as the addicted person will allow. During active addiction, people tend not to be too truthful.

SweetPEI · Jul 6, 2012

Exactly, I wasn't sure if you meant patient history or criminal history which is why I said patient history is necessary for a treatment plan to be developed. Clarity is nice. Thanks

libran1984, ASN, RN · Jul 10, 2012

Geekchic,

I'm an LPN in an Emergency Department. I was an LPN who refused to go into LTC and chose places as my first jobs in corrections and methadone clinics. I believe these two options fall under addictions nursing.

Corrections was very difficult because the clientele was so unruly and the turn over was fast there was rarely anyone there long enough to properly learn from. However, if you were lucky one and could couple up with an experienced nurse, you could learn soooo much about s/s of heroine abuse, cocaine abuse, alcohol intoxication, etc. There was little in the way of treatment within corrections other than let them sleep it off and detox under observation.

As an ED LPN I now learned treatment like banana bags, narcan, High flow oxygen nonrebreather, etc. It really put two and two together for me.

The best place I think was the methadone clinic. I never held a job there b/c I was offered the ED job simultaneously. Yet, during my interview i learned so much. The LPN was responsible for gathering the clinical data and observations (which an NP would sign off at the end of the day as an assessment), performing blood draws, urine samples, and recognizing s/s of those who needed immediate interventions. No RNs, other than NPs were employed by the methadone clinic. The largest part of the LPNs duty was to become a fast food server. Let me explain....

Throughout the day, there would be long long long lines people with substance abuse history requiring a regular dose methadone. These people would form a line along 4-5 nurses behind a bullet proof glass wall. The patient would pass their driver's license under the glass and the nurse would verify the patient's identity along side the license, a high tech computer profile picture, and of course the patient themselves. The nurse would then collect cash from the patient and retrieve a liquid dose of methadone from a giant methadone milk shake machine. The patient would receive this paid in full dose and be on their way for the next day or two. The LPNs working there said it was the best job they'd ever had and all of them loved it with a great passion, rotation through responsibilities on a regular basis. They would work along side MHP's, NPs, and a physician who oversaw the clinic. It was a wonderful dynamic from all outward apparences.

PS- I would love it if you responded, Geekchic, if this helped inspire you any.