KADRN

I went into addictions directly out of nursing school and worked in it for a year and a half. It was not my first choice, but I needed a job and could not find anything else. I just recently started a new job at a hospital on an ortho/medsurg floor. I enjoyed my job in addictions and learned a lot, but I definately believe starting out in medsurg is the way to go. If you think you will stay in psych then starting out in it may not be that bad, although medsurg is great for the fundamentals.

dermatology- dr gross

I also graduated in May 2009 and next week I am starting my orientation to an ortho floor. Since nursing school I have been working in addictions and just need a change. I don't want to loose my skills and it would be nice to see a patient get better once in a while. Have you worked anywhere since graduating? Good luck to you. I know I am super excited!

It is interesting to learn how nursing differs through out countries. I wonder if the U.S. has anything like this. I heard in canada you can buy some meds over the counter that here are by prescription only (ex. certain benzos). Is that true? Also does Canada have as bad of a problem with addictions as the U.S.? Where I work at business is booming, unfortunately. Thanks

I concur. I have been working in addictions for a year now and could never see prescribing methadone for someone coming off of benzos.

Do you use liguid methadone or pills? Is respiratory depression a concern or are meds just doled out and the patients leave? Thanks

My fellow coworkers and I were discussing this last night at work, we are RNs at a drug and alcohol detox and rehab facility. Up until recently our ADON was a LPN and on the floor RNs and LPNs rotate the duty of charge nurse.

Drug and alcohol detox and rehab 3 nurses and 2 MHTs 40 patients when full

I was not going to attend my pinning ceremony, but then it became mandatory. I did not know what would happen if someone did not attend, but I did not want to find out. That being said, I went and really enjoyed it. I am glad I went and gave my son the opportunity to pin me and see the pay off to all of my hard work.

I feel for you in your current situation. I also have battled with family memebers who became addicts. Good luck to you and your family. Stay strong.

I work in addictions and I have never heard this said and I have never said this, I suppose I am just not one of those people you are speaking of. As a patient population addicts (most, not all) tend to be very difficult and demanding.

Thanks for the responses. I am new to the addiction field and this is something I am curious about. It is my understanding that methadone clinics are used in an attempt to cut down on diseases such as HIV and hepatitis that come with IV drug abuse and also overdoses. The patient remains addicted, but just in a more controlled way. Is this a correct synopses of the program?

I suppose every facility is different. Since this posting I got hired at the facility and it is nothing like yours. While we do have the patients that come in intoxicated or high this is not the norm, our patients choose to be at our facility seeking treatment. It is a 6 week program and I really believe it is making a difference in our patients lives. Good luck to you in your career.

I wanted to know the opinion of addictions nurses on methadone maintenance. Does anyone work with this or have an opinion about it? Do you think it helps or harms in the fight against addictions?

I am a new grad RN and started my first job at a drug and alcohol detox facility recently. Thank goodness I don't work alone because my coworkers have been such a help and a support, as there is so much to learn. At my facility we are required to attend some AA or NA meetings, which could be helpful to you as well. I think an AA or NA book could also be useful, I have not read it but I want to to gain insight into the disease of addiction. Good luck to you in your nursing career.