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 so...

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 ...

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 experi...

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 w...

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 ...

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 vari...

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...

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 ...

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 ...

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 honestl...

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 ...

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 employe...

I have been a Registered Nurse for 13 years with an assoiciates degree. I am very interested in becoming a substance abuse counselor and would like to go back to school to get my BA in psychology. I am looking for any suggestions on this matter. I...

Wow... I am so grateful to find this forum! I am new to allnurses and didn't know that this was here :) I'll try to make this quick.... I am a recovering alcoholic and I have a telephone interview at 2pm TODAY with a possible position in the chemic...

Thank you Easttexasnurse for taking the time to respond to my post. To clarify, I am very grateful that I am a recovering alcoholic and in no way feel that it is any different from being a drug addict. Alcohol is a drug and should be treated as suc...

I have been a Registered Nurse for 13 years with an assoiciates degree. I am very interested in becoming a substance abuse counselor and would like to go back to school to get my BA in psychology. I am looking for any suggestions on this matter. I am...

Thank you for all of your post. I had no idea that they were paid so little!

Thanks for the suggestions. I have previously worked in CCU, PACU, pain management, endoscopy and LTC. I have always wanted to work in psych and decided it is way past time to pursue that. I've thought about the online programs, but am wary of the...

I have been a Registered Nurse for 13 years with an assoiciates degree. I am very interested in becoming a substance abuse counselor and would like to go back to school to get my BA in psychology. I am looking for any suggestions on this matter. I am...

I was always told never to change your fist answer....and was frustrated when I would and then miss the question! Go with your first gut instinct! I was a terrible student! I studied and studied and still felt like I just scraped by. However, it'...