Methadone clinics

[Shortykim4]

Are nurses that are also methadone clients allowed to work in a methadone clinic ?Im a LPN in Florida ,I was just wondering if I could apply at the methadone clinic that Im currently a client at.The hours would be hard to get used to..Ive only worked nights..and I've only experienced nursing homes...what are other places nurses can work at ? And Lpns ..Now that Im in recovery I kind of want to work in the field ..my goal now is to educate people on methadone more to help end the stigma..Ive never been made to feel as small as I do from some of the rude things people say when they find out you are on methadone.

[rn1965, ADN]

That is probably best answered by your case manager. I know in my (TX) program, the jobs site and job has to be approved by my case manager.

In regards to people making you feel small...remember...people tend to scoff at what they don't understand. Hold your head high, protect your recovery and just keep swimming.

[chadprepton, ADN]

On 2/23/2020 at 4:00 PM, Shortykim4 said:

Are nurses that are also methadone clients allowed to work in a methadone clinic ?I'm a LPN in Florida ,I was just wondering if I could apply at the methadone clinic that I'm currently a client at.The hours would be hard to get used to..I've only worked nights..and I've only experienced nursing homes...what are other places nurses can work at ? And Lpns ..Now that I'm in recovery I kind of want to work in the field ..my goal now is to educate people on methadone more to help end the stigma..I've never been made to feel as small as I do from some of the rude things people say when they find out you are on methadone.

This can also depend on your BON. Do you have anything discipline on your license?

[Cmf0289]

Hi there!

I think that it's awesome you want to educate others on methadone. I'm sorry that you've been put down due to being on methadone.There's definitely not enough people out there educating on the pros of methadone. I live in Massachusetts and work as a nurse in a methadone clinic. I know that we would be unable to hire a client due to the conflict of interest. But I'm sure it would be possible to accept a position at a clinic elsewhere.

[K. Everly, BSN, RN]

That seems unlikely.

As a person in alcohol recovery, I was thinking of a parallel I might draw to show the apparent conflict of interest.

It would seem unprofessional for a nurse in alcohol rehab to get a job at that rehab WHILE they are a client there getting treatment. I see the methadone clinic situation to be similar.