substance abuse nursing

[jennmariePR]

Do you do any type of counseling as a substance abuse nurse (with a BSN as an RN)?

[Whispera, MSN, RN]

I used to, back when I was a BSN RN. I worked on a CD unit and did group therapy with patients. I also ran AA meetings sometimes. There's certification as a CD specialist available....

[aloevera]

the nurses in my hospital do not do any counseling..

We have therapists for this........we may lead a med-ed group but that's about it....

[jennmariePR]

What is a CD unit? How do you get certified?

[Whispera, MSN, RN]

CD = chemical dependency You get certified after working the specialty awhile, and taking a major, very-difficult test given by some agency that offers such tests.

[jennmariePR]

are you talking about the CARN? Certified Addiction Registered Nurse?

[Whispera, MSN, RN]

I'm not certified in chemical dependency nursing but yes, CARN is one of them

[lilia123]

I am trying to enter psychiatric nursing, having 10 years of experience working in the community as BSN and having difficulty because i dont have 'psychiatirc Rn experience'..would working at a methadone clinic provide me with some psychiatric experience.?.or be considered psychiatric experience since addictions are often accompanied by psychiatric problems..otherwise known as co-occuring disorders or dual disorders. I am considering a part-time job at a facility dispensing methadone...can anyone offer some insight...as always you guys are most forthcoming with information..thanks:wink2:

[Whispera, MSN, RN]

I think at a methadone clinic, you'd be monitoring symptoms and dispensing methadone. Most methadone clinics aren't inpatient--patients just show up every few days to get their methadone. At least that's how it works at the 2 methadone clinics near me. I assume the patients get therapy elsewhere--I hope so. Anyway, I don't think you'd be getting psych nurse experience there.

[elkpark]

I think at a methadone clinic, you'd be monitoring symptoms and dispensing methadone. Most methadone clinics aren't inpatient--patients just show up every few days to get their methadone. At least that's how it works at the 2 methadone clinics near me. I assume the patients get therapy elsewhere--I hope so. Anyway, I don't think you'd be getting psych nurse experience there.

I agree -- that's how it works at the clinics I've known of.

[lilia123]

I've also had an interest in substance abuse nursing so this position would offer me insight into this area of nursing..thanks for the responses..within 5 yrs i want to get an APN so I'm looking for my niche..:redbeathe

[iwanna]

Nursing at a methadone clinic is basically dispensing the methadone. They are not inpatient clinics. I know my daughter was a patient at methadone clinic once. Inpatient rehabs is where you would get experience in psych nursing.