Medical Detox Transition Opportunity

[slove2718]

Hi all! I'm looking for some advice and insight into a potential job opportunity within addiction nursing. First off, I'm a fairly recent (December 2020) grad, and began my career working in an adolescent inpatient pysch unit. Now, don't get me wrong, while I enjoy the core job, the politics and operation of the unit has me ready to find something new. I have always been drawn to psych for personal and general interest reasons, so staying within the realm is important to me. 

Next week, I have an interview with a free-standing medical detox facility, close to home (Evoke Wellness). I have so many questions already, but I'm wondering from other's experience, how they find working in this field/job? I'm particularly interested to hear about statistics concerning patient or staff assaults, restraints, or violence of that nature, and rate of staff retention. Two BIG concerns at my current workplace. Also, with no formal medical experience, how difficult can I expect the transition to be? 

Thanks in advance! 

[GBC_Student, BSN, RN]

I did detox on and off for about six years. Once you get your assessment skills down the job can start to feel a bit routine. Most patients I worked with were fine, but there are some that are rude, abusive or just awful to deal with, just like any other group of people. I never personally experienced violence. A small number of patients would talk big, but no-one ever tried to hurt me. I never had to restrain a patient who was undergoing detox. Meth induced psychosis sure, but people coming off of opioids are typically just really physically unwell for a week, and most people coming off of alcohol just want to get their diazepam and rest.

 

I know the detox unit at my old hospital had a lot of nurses who stayed for ten plus years. Once you find your footing it's not a bad job, but the manipulation from patients did start to wear on me.

 

I've worked in both acute psych and addictions and in my experience violence doesn't happen often in the addictions field. You might run into patients who are highly intoxicated that become violent, but I never had this happen to me and I had some pretty drunk patients.

 

Good luck on your interview.