methadone clinic..good 1st job?

Nurses LPN/LVN

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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!

Wow I am a new grad RN they are paying me 21 an hour. Maybe you can tell me where to find a job!

I am an LPN but was hoping to get some input here...

I just graduated and have the choice to work as a methadone clinic part time as my first job. Would it be more prudent to have my first job be in LTC for the experience?? I dont care for LTC and plan to go back to school this fall for my RN. the clinic is a 2 min drive from school. The supervisor said it would look good on my resume and give me lots of experience..just a diff form then what I would get at a LTC facility. My dilema is that I need to let her know by tomrrow AM if I am taking the job---HOWEVER- if I must work LTC..I have an interview at the #1 place I would like to work...a state run place so great benefits 2nd shift so it works with my kids sched. and 10 mins up the road from my house...the clinic is pretty much a gaurentee if i want it and they offered 20 an hour. I dont have my interview with the LTC facility till next tuesday..i have no clue if ill get it or what they would start me at..take the risk on LTC or play is safe w the clinic?? and hoesntly..where do u think would be the best option for a new grad based soley on job description??? HELP!!

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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.

I'm thinking this poster was meaning that what must of us think is that a nurse in one of these clinics just passes out pills. I was curious as to what else you would do as a nurse in a clinic like this.

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Specializes in ED, OR, SAF, Corrections.

I'm thinking this poster was meaning that what must of us think is that a nurse in one of these clinics just passes out pills. I was curious as to what else you would do as a nurse in a clinic like this.

It's true you mainly pass meds, but you also do referrals for other health-related issues, there are times when you do assessments and take vitals - and you'd use your nursing judgement to withhold a dose if you thought the patient vitals warrant holding it, there is counseling - both about drug aspect as well as disease prevention as addicts don't tend to take good care of themselves and often engage in risky behaviors, you also do urine spot checks to see if they're taking other drugs/ETOH (which they frequently are), etc...

It's like working in a clinic or doctors office or a quick care - except they are not in the best neighborhoods as a rule. Nothing from my POV that should keep you from proudly putting it on your resume - it's good experience.

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My last job wasn't posted for an LPN but my varied experience got me the job M-F no w/e or holidays yearly bonuses etc...I have everything from LTC,corrections, detox, ER, Dialysis and good old MS on my resume'. My now boss said " I figured you could handle anything". And you will be able to handle anything after working with addicts.

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An explanation of my original letter. 1. Clients of Methadone clinics are usually hard core addicts. The main job of an employee is collecting the fee and dispensing methadone. After that they conduct drug screens and perform other duties to help the clients maintain their criteria for the service.

Clinics are usually located near the areas where there clients congregate. After they get their doses they hang around in the area of the clinic.

Clients are using this service in many cases because they can no longer get their durg of choice for one reason or another.

If this is your first job and you dont stay their long it is no big deal but the longer you stay the more likely future employment opportunities may be limited because people will be suspicious of you and believe that you may be an addict or dealer or both.

People cannot be naieve in how they look at this. Many of the people who own and operate clinics operate the same way as their clients...with violence and criminal activities. So get real and look at the total picture.

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Specializes in Med Surge, Tele, Oncology, Wound Care.

One of the girls I work with did this as her first job and she is an RN. Granted she said she didn't learn a ton of skills, but she liked it.

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Thank you for all the comments! There are so many great view points here! I called her and said I would like the job..but part time. ( There was a full and part time position) part time allows me the flexibility to have another job. If I get the job in LTC I can still do it because it is 2nd shift. If this turns out to be too much..I can drop one. I simply can't pass up a job offer in this market--ecspecially 1 at $20.00 an hour. :) The 2nd shift position has state benefits..which I also can't pass up! So I will bite the bullet and work both. That way I also keep two feet in 2 different 'ponds' so to speak..lots of experience! :yeah: As of yesterday afternoon, I got 2 phone calls for 2 more interviews..1 of which was to come back for a 2nd interview. This upcoming tuesday after my interview I will have gone on 7 interviews in 7 days! geesh! This is so nerve racking! So here's my plan..Yes to the clinic. Yes to state. If I dont get the job with the county nursing home, then I would except 1 of the skilled unit jobs I am going for this up coming week (if i got offered that is ) and only 2nd shift so I can maintain the clinic hours. Im putting school on hold..giving it 1 year..hoping the new place I work may be willing to help with tuition. :confused:

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Specializes in Oncology; medical specialty website.
An explanation of my original letter. 1. Clients of Methadone clinics are usually hard core addicts. The main job of an employee is collecting the fee and dispensing methadone. After that they conduct drug screens and perform other duties to help the clients maintain their criteria for the service.

Clinics are usually located near the areas where there clients congregate. After they get their doses they hang around in the area of the clinic.

Clients are using this service in many cases because they can no longer get their durg of choice for one reason or another.

If this is your first job and you dont stay their long it is no big deal but the longer you stay the more likely future employment opportunities may be limited because people will be suspicious of you and believe that you may be an addict or dealer or both.

People cannot be naieve in how they look at this. Many of the people who own and operate clinics operate the same way as their clients...with violence and criminal activities. So get real and look at the total picture.

I would never think a nurse who works in a methadone clinic is either an addict or a dealer. I would think she/he is a nurse who works in addictions medicine.

I think this is your personal bias.

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Hi NurseNikkiC,

I'd take the methadone clinic job, this could definitely help with possibly transitioning into acute care or even ER nursing if this is your goal. I currently work for an LTC, (HATE the facility, love the patients). Had an interview with an outpatient meth facility last week for an addictions nurse position. Praying that they choose me, I really want to assist patients with substance abuse issues. Wishing you the best in your decision : )

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I have worked in a methadone clinic since August of last year. Contrary to what many folks seem to think, not all of these folks who take methadone are "hard core" drug addicts. A large number of them are folks who have been in car accidents, had severe falls, or other injuries, which even includes soliders who were injured in battle. They all seem to have one thing in common, they were prescribed strong pain meds such as OxyContin by their doctors. Unfortunately it doesn't take very long to become addicted. So I can only surmise they turned to the "lessor" of two evils... methadone maintenance, which appears to allow them to function better in their every day lives.

Now I am not saying that some patients are not drug seeking, because they are. Nor am I saying that methadone in itself is not addicting, because it is. But the same shoe doesn't fit everyone. I will also say when I first got out of nursing school I tried LTC. I will NEVER work in LTC again. I found it to be nothing short of a nightmare. The work load alone was nigh unto impossible and the dishonesty totally turned my stomach. I refuse to sign for medications I am not passing. Will I stay at the methadone clinic forever? Probably not... since I am working towards finishing my RN. I have however, found that I will take the addicts any day over the hogwash I experienced at the two LTC facilities I tried!

Hope the job works out for you and have a great day!

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I worked LTC as an LPN and I got my first RN job in a methadone clinic. I say take the clinic job.

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Psych, Tele, ICU.

I did about ten years ago. The clinic I worked in was in a small town, in the south. The owner and her son were recovering addicts. And IMHO, very strange folks. It is very repetative work. Most patients are very manipulative. Good luck, with whatever decision you make. In this job market, it wouldn't be a bad idea to take it and see how you like it.

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