What do you enjoy about addictions nursing?

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Specializes in Psych, Substance Abuse.

I started my first RN job in the beginning of August at a substance abuse/psych facility. At first I was excited, because I really enjoy the psychosocial side of things. However, after the first few days I realized that I really, really, really hate this specialty. Most of my patients are substance abusers with a few psych patients sprinkled in here and there. I have a 16 patient load and have to do vitals at 9 p.m., 1 a.m. and 5 a.m. These are stable patients for the most part, so I think that is a bit of overkill. Anyway, I always said that I would never be a nurse just for the money, but that's all it is at this point.

Essentially, I don't feel like a nurse. I feel like a legal drug dealer. The needy med-seekers are sucking the soul right out of me. They are so overmedicated in the first place it's ridiculous. They will be stumbling around, slurring like crazy, and the second they start to resemble a normal, functioning member of society all of the sudden they start "hearing voices." Why? Because they know that we will throw more pills at them if they hear voices. I'm just so sick of them and their manipulation. I try to get myself organized for med pass (which is quite a feat with a paper MAR and 16 patients with CRAZY long med lists), and all I hear is "Can I have my meds yet?" The controlled substance clock watchers drive me crazy too. Can't stand them.

I guess I just want to know what everyone else likes about addictions nursing, because I'm grasping for some sort of hope/optimism. I don't want to be a grumpy nurse. There's nothing worse than a grumpy nurse. I want to care for my patients and actually feel like I'm helping them get better--not just throw free drugs at them. We're a non-profit facility where 95% of the patients are on medicaid and the uninsured never has to pay a dime. They come in for their free drugs and talk about how as soon as they get out they're going to go and get drunk/high. So, how am I helping them? I'm not! With 16 patients and almost 50 sets of vitals to do/chart, I never get time to spend with them either. Ugh, God help me. So, what do you like about addictions nursing? Give me a reason to stay, if at least just for this year to get my experience!!!

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Specializes in psych, addictions, hospice, education.

What I used to love when I was an addictions nurse, was seeing the patients get better, physically and emotionally...

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Specializes in Critical Care, Med-Surg, Psych, Geri, LTC, Tele,.

I work psych, but most of the Pts also have drug dependence issues. Yes they are needy. Some beg for PRNs round the clock. Some have borderline personality, which makes it very challenging at times to do my job.

However, I Like my job. One reason is because I know that working in a skilled nursing facility would require me to have 30+ Pts with tube feelings and other complex tx. I used to work LTC and I had over 40 Pts all by myself plus a few aides. No vitals had to be taken regularly, only in an emergency, such as daily falls.

I'm also thankful my Pts are ambulatory.

We have mental health techs who take vital signs. Ours are q8, not q4 for acute Pts and q week or q month for those on the long term care area. What is the need for q4?

Also on the acute side, our ratio is 1:16 plus a charge nurse plus a few techs.

On the long term side it's 1 nurse to over 50 Pts plus a second nurse to assist with medical concerns, receive and transcribe new orders and talk to physicians. We also have techs.

Yours sounds like you may have more difficult ratios.

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Doughnuts.

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I feel like all I do is pass meds, I've been in addictions for close to 2 years and I want out but feel stuck. This experience on my resume' basically means nothing. I also feel like I'm becoming bitter and miserable in the job, which makes me feel horrible, I want to be there or my patients which I am, but the constant Motrin's Q4, cough medicine on and on and on. Then you see that patient leave and feel like you made a difference for them.......and then they're back 3 weeks later. :no: I get so tired of the manipulation also. I need out.

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Specializes in Psychiatry.

I enjoy interacting with my patients, offering emotional support, education and hope.

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Specializes in Substance Abuse.

I want to help people, the people I serve want help. Naturally it is a fit! But I love to find the way to reach them. For alcoholics sometimes it is telling them how they will die if they continue drinking a half gallon per day. I like to be able to present reality but also be supportive. I cant tell you everything I say is clinically correct, but I have success with my clientele because I care and will do what I can to help.

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