methadone clinic..good 1st job?

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Hi!

I just graduated LPN school in December and have a potential offer for a job at a methadone clinic that I was given today. I was wondering if it might be better to go to LTC for my first job? When I interviwed the supervisor said it was a very flexible sched being that it is open 365 days a year. I want to go back for my RN next year so this sounds appealing to me. However, she stressed there is to be absolutely no calling out because these pts depend on us and it is not like a facility where they have per diem etc to cover me. the shift is early 5-11ish and sat and sunday 630-11ish. but i wouldnt be required to work every weekend. Im thinking this could potentially be kinda a 'cool' place to work..meaning the changing enviroment...and changing dynamics daily..but that can be super stressfull too I imagine..any ideas from seasoned nurses or LPNs who have worked in a methadone clinic or in something similar? She said it looked good on resumes as far as experience..any thoughts? I need to get back to her tomorrow!! HELP!

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Specializes in Medicine.

I would definitely take the job!!

There's really not much jobs for new grads out there. It would assist in your resume build-up. Since you have the interview Tuesday for the LTC and need to give your definite answer today, I would encourage you to accept the job for now and see where things go for next week.

It would be terrible to not take the offer and not get the LTC next week.

Best of luck in your choice

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Specializes in L&D.

I would take the job, if I were you. (:

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Thanks. =) I was actually just thinking to myself the same thing--just take the job and see where the other job leads..not to mention the shift is done at 11ish..maybe I could work 2nd shift at the LTC part time or per diem?? Thanks again!

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Specializes in Psych/Substance Abuse, Ambulatory Care.

Methadone clinics are great experience. I work in a court-mandated 30-day drug rehab facility (LPN as well) and it's the coolest job ever. Addiction isn't going anywhere and if you're interested in what you're doing at the methadone clinic, I think you'll find it SO rewarding. Congrats on graduating and congrats on two job prospects!!!

Like others said, I'd take the clinic in a heartbeat- not because I'm biased but because it's a guarantee. What if you get to the LTC interview and there are 10 other nurses in line with you?? Hopefully that won't be the case. However, why not go to the LTC interview anyway and see if they have any per-diem positions to offer... There are very few nurses I know who don't have two jobs! Best of luck :)

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Specializes in Critical Care.

Not to mention that $20/hr sounds pretty good for an LPN. At least in my area, new grad RNs start at around $20/hr.

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You need to find something else. Unless you have decided to get into drug rehab as a business this may put a black mark on your resume. You should investigate long term acute care hospitals if you cant find an acute care hospital with openings. Additionally you will not get the broad amount of expeience you need to base a career on in a Methadone clinic. If this is your passion though go ahead and do it.

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This was my first job out of nursing school and it has hurt me a bit. It is definately an interesting area!

If you need a job, take it!

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So what goes on at a Methadone clinic? I was thinking that you just pass out meds to pts that are outpatient.

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It was two dosing times..am and pm. Random urine test, TB testing, Disease education and helping the clients find proper follow up health care for other health issues. I did mostly dosing, but there were a lot of physical assessments.

I enjoyed it because it was always interesting and went by fast, plus there was a lot of flexibilty with shifts and hours.

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Specializes in ED, OR, SAF, Corrections.
You need to find something else. Unless you have decided to get into drug rehab as a business this may put a black mark on your resume. You should investigate long term acute care hospitals if you cant find an acute care hospital with openings. Additionally you will not get the broad amount of expeience you need to base a career on in a Methadone clinic. If this is your passion though go ahead and do it.

Could you explain your rationale for this opinion? I don't understand why this (or any nursing job) would be a 'black mark' on a resume. If anything I'd think the more diversified you are as a nurse, the more varied your experiences, would only serve to be a positive thing. Please, I'm really curious as to your reasoning - because if so, I've got some serious black marks on mine as I once worked briefly in a methadone clinic as well as in a prison (among other places) and I've never encountered any negative reactions - ever.

Patient care is patient care - she's not taking the methadone - she's administering it - so where would the black mark come from? I'm really confused and obviously missing something. Or is not the methadone clinic itself, just the fact that it's not an acute care job is what you mean? I'm confused because the way the post is written makes it sound like there's something wrong with the clinic. In that case disregard this post! But I'd still advise her to take it - it might not be ideal, but you can starve waiting for ideal.

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As an LPN.......if it were me I would take anything that wasn't LTC.I personally hate LTC! It is unsafe with the number of patients you are expected to take care of. I would never work as a floor nurse in LTC.......not becuase I dislike geriatrics but because he environment is aweful. Very different from the hospital. If you are interested in Chemical Dep. nursing this is a great place to start. I was the hiring manager for a drug detox and would have been extatic to find an LPN with that experience vs. LTC experience. And also....not sure where you live but here in Upstate NY they are still using some LPNs in the hospital setting, if that is something you are interested in I see postings all the time.

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