KristieRae71

Your DON should have definitely had some policies or standards of care in place before this place even opened! However, that being said, I suggest that you find out who regulates your place of employment. Is it DNV? Joint Commission? There are some regulations that they may have that can make a difference. Our facility uses an accudose machine, but we are part of a hospital. We DO have a large binder with pockets (like zipper pouches) that we can use if we want to "set up" medications. This way nothing has to be opened, everything gets scanned and we stay in compliance with DNV. Our reports are verbal handoffs. Each nurse gives report on her group of patients to the oncoming shift. The idea is to use SBAR in handoff but the reality is more like what you described probably. We have around 20 patients on average for each unit. Good luck!

Cut yourself some slack. We've all made some verbal faux pas or possibly a less than great judgement call. Sounds like you have learned from this experience and that's what is important. You just try to improve... as we all should. You can't control what your co-worker thinks. Respect yourself. The rest will follow.

Ask questions!!! We get a lot of students where I work and often times I see them standing against the wall with their eyes as big as saucers like deer in headlights. I remember that feeling but it's important that you cultivate your nursing experience and be proactive in finding answers. I have begun to take the students aside for a couple of min. to explain a few things that they might hear but not understand. It makes a big difference as I know that a busy staff seems difficult to approach, but it's an important lesson to learn about nursing in general. If a patient asks me a question or has a problem I am not familiar with I have to do everything I can to find the answers. Same for students.

I agree with the above poster. Especially # 5. Open meetings of AA and NA are just that… open to any that would like to attend. We have also been encouraged to attend Al-ANON meetings as this is helpful to family, friends and caretakers of those with addictions. If your facility endorses the 12 steps then I highly encourage working a 12 step program of your own. There are tons out there and I believe that every human alive could benifit! One such group is EA (Emotions Anonymous). Great group for those that have anxiety, depression, anger, etc.) Also, become familiar with a little of the basic history of AA. It always amazes me when I meet someone that works in my field that does not know who Bill Wilson or Dr. Bob is Also, I suggest reading Codependent No More by Melodie Beadie. Not the updated version… that's more adjunctive, but go with the original. Best of luck!

It sounds to me (just going on what you have stated) that you were being a pretty awesome patient advocate. I do not see why the councelor felt that way.. however it has come to my attention that coucelors and therapist don't always understand what we as nurses are and are not allowed to do. It sounds like you offered him help and he declined. As for defamation of character… meh… just seems like that councelor has an issue. I'm sure it DID feel like a nice slap in the face though! Best of luck!

After realizing that I needed help for my own abuse of alcohol, entering treatment and embracing a life of recovery (yes that's the short and tidy version) I knew that I wanted to work in this field. I had already been nursing for 13 years in a variety of medical areas, but I found my passion through my own experience. After 4 years of working with "my peeps" I would be lying if I said that it's easy work for there are many frustrations and heartbreaks. It is challenging work, even to those of us that live in recovery daily and understand the way that addicts think. Having said that, there is not a day that I don't go home full of gratitude for my own sobriety and the opportunity to help another alcoholic or addict. My goal is to welcome them into recovery without judgement, but with hope and motivation!

I agree with the above comments. I decided when I went through treatment myself that I would love work in this field. I have always been honest during my interviews if asked directly. I think that you have to use your judgement and intuition about the situation. I wear the AA symbol (circle w/ triangle) and that usually sparks interest and questions from my coworkers. I love the program of AA and am not "in the closet" about it, but neither do I force it on others. It was my experience in treatment and my observations in this field that nurses in recovery make excellent recovery nurses! Good luck and just continue to work those steps… in all situations!

HOUR??? I am lucky to grab the 30 min. that we are allowed!

You daughter is fortunate that she has a good support system and a Mom that is willing to search for resources! She will definately need the support when she gets out! As a nurse that (now) works in the field of chemical dependancy and as a person IN recovery I strongyl urge you to find your local Alanon meetings and join those for yourself. YOU, as her loving mother, are going to need support as well. There is a fine line betweenl love/concern/support/love and co-dependancy. Please don't take offense if that word feels negative. We are ALL codependant to some degree. There is much to learn and the best thing you can do for her is to help yourself. We addicts and alcoholics search for the "easier softer" way and our thinking is one of manipulation… from minute to obvious! She will learn all of this for herself if she gets involved with a good program. The rehab facility is only the beginning… I wish you both the best! The serenity prayer is useful for everyone!!!

Looks like I need to brush up on my "reply" skills here! The above reply was meant for somewhere else….

AMEN! You were born to be a nurse, weren't you! That was great

Venting is good for the soul! Good to get it out. After After 13 years of working various "medical" nursing jobs (CCU, ACU/PACU, Endoscopy, geriatrics.. etc) I found my niche. I have now been in the psych and addictions field for 4 years and LOVE it! Yes, it's crazy.. mentally and emotionally exhausting and frustrating are these patients. So much of this field is just not a tangable type of nursing and there are skills that we develope to navigate and care for these patients. They are sick. It's a different kind of sick than a medical illness, but addiction is a disease that encompasses more than physical ailments and moral choices/ willpower. Like many others that work in this field, I have been in recovery for several years. I understand where they are coming from and cry with them at times. However, I also get frustrated and long for them to "just get it"! It took me a long time to find my "home" in nursing, but I am so glad that I did. I promise that they are paying attention. It takes what it takes and for some that's numerous trips to detox, etc. The unfortunate ones never get it at all. Explaining what being an alcoholic or addict is somewhat like trying to explain parenthood. You never truly understand unless you have been there! Now, I don't propose that anyone pick up an addiction to learn the workings of an addicts mind, but I do suggest that EVERYONE that works in this field should learn and practice the coping skills that we teach. It is also highly suggested that we all attend Alanon. That is a wonderful place for anyone that lives with or works with addicts. If you continue to find yourself unhappy in the field of addictions then maybe another area would suit you better. Have you ever had a nurse that seemed like she really hated her job? There is no therapeutic value there... especially in this field! Good luck with your situation... and remember.. BREATH!

Alcohol, drugs, food, sex, shopping, gambling.... All addictions are at their core related in the way that the addicts mind operates. We call it "stinking thinking" in the rooms and it's universal in addicts of any kind. The 12 steps (if done honestly and thoroughly) help one to discover and address their character defects and learn about how their brain operates. Truly, I could go on and on for days about this subject but basically I believe that it's the only program that really and truly works if the person in it is thoroughly honest and teachable. There is a degree of humbleness that is required for this to work. For any addict, their ego is usually their biggest enemy! I too try to encourage my patients to look at spirituality and religion as separate entities. Usually, though, the complaint of not wanting to attend meetings because of "religion"is simply their addiction speaking. Addiction is an awful beast and he does not want to go away quietly! Good luck!

I agree with the other post. I have been on both sides of the fence and can tell you from experience, pt's will respond and respect you if they feel that you have a little knowledge under your belt. The co-dependants books (Beattie) are great, but don't forget to grab a Big Book while you are at it. You may be looking at NP medical stuff while you are working, but there are many opportunities to encourage the addict. I am still amazed at how many of those who work in addictions don't know who Bill W. is, nor anything about the 12 steps. If you do look at these (and i highly recommend it) play close attention to step 4. It saves many lives. Good luck.

oh come on! It's all a matter of what each person wishes. A person can choose to work somewhere else! I would do it in a nano-second if I felt that the surgeons were skilled at their craft. I most definately would NOT go to a dentist whose employees had rotton or crooked teeth! Relax.