DETOX Nursing - Looking for Info

estrogen · Apr 21, 2005

Could it be that there's nobody who'd have some info on this? :uhoh3:

fab4fan · Apr 21, 2005

There are some detox programs in my area, and they utilize LPNs. As for being crazy, I don't think it's crazy that you like this area. God only knows the patients in these facilities could use someone who can be compassionate with them.

Nurse Ratched, RN · Apr 21, 2005

The nice thing about working someplace that does that all the time, is that you know what you're doing. The biggest problem when you get pts who don't quite fit in your unit is it's unfamiliar territory. I don't work exclusively in detox, but our med-psych unit does a lot of it, so it's comfortable. Less risk of staff and pt harm because we're prepared.

We do have several LPN's.

Call your local facilities. Drop off some resumes with cover letters specifically noting your interest in substance abuse treatment. We need folks that want to do it.

CWizard · Apr 21, 2005

I am a Med-Surg LPN. We do a lot of detox on the floor and I am comming to the realisation that that might be what I would like to specialize in. How is a specialized detox unit or a drug/ETOH rehab center different from the occasional detox on a med-surg floor? What are the pros and cons of such a job? What do you like / dislike about detox nursing? ...Or am I just plain crazy to want to specialize in this, since most nurses seem to dread the drug/ETOH patient?? Do drug rehabs / detox utilize LPNs and how? How would I go about finding a job in this speciality? I don't seem to find any classifieds in the paper... (I'm in WA)
Any input will be greatly appreciated :)

I'm a psych nurse and we get the overflow from our rehab/detox unit. I get fraustrated because they are suppose to get their treatment on the rehab unit but end up stuck on our unit in bed due to HTN or just don't feel well. The rehab unit won't take them because they will not be able to participate in the program and they don't have a bed to sleep in. Anyway, that's my issue.

No problem with people w/ addictions....don't we all have at least one? :-)

But seriously.....Acute detox, don't think you want that....DT's are nothing to mess w/ and they can die from it. Our facility had a pt a while back that suddenly, w/o warning, had a seizure and died of a head injury he got during the seizure. Acute detox is something a LPN probably would not be able to do either, but then don't quote me. Me personally, I wouldn't work in any detox being the only nurse. In patient rehab's are not much to come by this day of manage care. But working with addicts can be very reward -- I've done it for yrs. In psych you get a lot of dual dx'ed

estrogen · Apr 21, 2005

I'm a psych nurse and we get the overflow from our rehab/detox unit. I get fraustrated because they are suppose to get their treatment on the rehab unit but end up stuck on our unit in bed due to HTN or just don't feel well. The rehab unit won't take them because they will not be able to participate in the program and they don't have a bed to sleep in. Anyway, that's my issue.
No problem with people w/ addictions....don't we all have at least one? :-)
But seriously.....Acute detox, don't think you want that....DT's are nothing to mess w/ and they can die from it. Our facility had a pt a while back that suddenly, w/o warning, had a seizure and died of a head injury he got during the seizure. Acute detox is something a LPN probably would not be able to do either, but then don't quote me. Me personally, I wouldn't work in any detox being the only nurse. In patient rehab's are not much to come by this day of manage care. But working with addicts can be very reward -- I've done it for yrs. In psych you get a lot of dual dx'ed

I DO accute detox on med-surg allready, I've seen seizures, I've seen delirium etc. and I know how dangerous it is and I DO know what the standard ways of treating it are.... But as I said, I would like to specialize in it, which means I want to learn even more and perhaps do it exclusively...

Oh, and by the way, I am planning on getting my RN eventually. I just hope I don't have to wait that long to start realizing my proffessional goals...

CWizard · Apr 25, 2005

Sorry, if my reply seemed a little rough. I'm a old war horse nurse -- doing it from 1980. Started out as a nurse's aide, then LPN, then RN....this May (God willing) I will graduate from my 3rd nursing school, with my BSN. And yeah, I'm a little sick of nursing schools.

Getting your RN -- good for you!! And don't wait long to realizes your professional goals. Took me exactly (first got my RN '85) 20-yrs to finally get my BSN.

Hell, go for it!!! Some entries said they use LPN's. We have plenty excellent LPN's working at my (psych) facility. I'm where I want to be -- w/ my crazy people :-) Don't want the medical drama of detox -- give me a good take down w/ forced medication, or just be a comfort to a person that doesn't see a reason to live. Just help people get on the right track when their trains jump the tracks............ Whatever way I can or need to :-)

Go where you LOVE....... Go where you want to be.