soon to be LPN interested in addiction nursing

[shelbee1084]

I am graduating next month from my LPN and going right into my RN program. I am very interested in Addictions nursing and was wondering how I should get my foot in the door to do so? are there certifications out there? I dont really know too much about it. My interest in this field stems from me being a recovering alcoholic/addict myself. I am in AA and have been sober since January 2006. I just trying to figure out if this would be a good speciality for me. My main concern is this particular field hitting too close to home for me if that makes any sense?? any information is appreciated!!

[Davey Do]

shelbee1084:

It would appear that you already have your foot in the door. You're a Recovering Nurse. Congratulations on both your Graduation and your sucessful Program of Recovery.

In the past 20 years or so, all of the Chemically Dependent/Substance Abuse Treatment programs that I have worked with have been coupled under the Mental Health Comorbidity Thing. In other words, I haven't worked solely with Inpt CD Rehab/Tx since 1991. Most insurances stopped paying for Inpt Tx at about that time. Free-standing facilities do exist, however. And they do have Nursing positions, as I'm told. They're just few and far inbetween.

All you can do is seek them out and sleep on their doorstep.

Good luck to you, shelbee1084.

Dave

[drmorton2b]

As long as you don't have a criminal record go for it.

[bebe2010]

Congrats on being a recovering nurse and graduating, i have been working in the field for about a year now, and so far i love it.:heartbeat It has been challenging, you have to remember with some of the behaviors that they are sick and learning to deal with some things as you know, but it has been very rewarding. Good luck with finding a job, they are few and far between, i got lucky when i found this one. :)