Where does one find a job in addictions nursing?

NurseDirtyBird · Oct 22, 2012

I suggest methadone clinics and psych facilities specializing in dual diagnoses. Detox facilities too. Most inpatient rehabs I know of aren't really medical facilities. They may employ a nurse for medication administration and basic health assessments, but not many.

nurseprnRN, BSN, RN · Oct 22, 2012

Pain management clinics often have connections with addictionologists, and you can also check out prison nursing.

Wild Irish LPN, LPN · Oct 22, 2012

Corrections Nursing....sadly at least 85% of the inmates I care for have some kind of substance/mental health issues and or addictions....it is a great way to learn how to Tx these issues and develop excellent assessment skills at the same time...

sereneintexas · Oct 22, 2012

I am interested in the same, it seems like most of the jobs I have found in this field are in the northern US.

Simply Complicated · Oct 23, 2012

Any sort of psych nursing you are going to deal with addiction a ton. I'd say a good 75% of our patients seem to have a history of substance abuse. A lot of the time it goes along with the mental health problems, self medicating, etc. Detox facilities will hire nurses as well.

amygarside · Oct 23, 2012

Do you need to take a specialty course if you want to be in this kind of nursing profession?

LilRedRN1973 · Oct 23, 2012

I work for the state-run psychiatric facility. I am in the outpatient clinic and see clients for about 20-30 min at a time. They come in every 3 months to see the psychiatrist. I do assessments, provide patient education, give injections, etc. I love my job because I am able to do a lot of teaching, especially when it comes to recovery. About 65% of our clients are dual dx. I'm in recovery myself and I love working with this population, although it can be exhausting and I have to practice boundaries on a daily basis. Seeing a client come in who has relapsed is admittedly difficult for me. I've been here for over 3 years and love it. I think I love the schedule almost as much as the job....Mon-Fri, 7am to 4pm with an hour for lunch. I am able to have all holidays and weekends off, which with kids is very desirable for me. I never would have ended up here if it weren't for my own experience with addiction (I was previously in the ICU) but now, I have no desire to return to a hospital setting, working 10-12 hour days. I'm looking at becoming a Certified Addictions Nurse, although there don't seem to be many, if at all, in my area.

jtok10 · Oct 24, 2012

I am an RN and would like to work at an addiction clinic. There are so many addiction clinics popping up in my area and b/c my own son almost died from his addiction to heroin and anything else he could get his hands on I want to help others like the clinic that helped him. How do I apply/get a job with an addiction clinic? They don't seem to advertise.

emptyboxcars · Dec 6, 2012

And do addiction clinics hire new grads? I am also interested in this line of work. I did an observation day on the Detox Unit at the hospital and *loved* it. I really enjoyed the teaching and patient interaction. If they do consider new grads, how can I make myself more marketable to this niche?

frenchpoodle11 · Jan 7, 2013

Looking for a second job in a Psyc facility. I have been doing Psyc nursing for 17 plus years. If anyone knows of any in the Front Range Colorado area let me know.

garnetgirl29, BSN, RN · Jan 15, 2013

I'm a new grad working in a detox/mental health clinic. I found this job by word of mouth. They didn't advertise, so I called the clinic to ask if they were hiring new grad LPNs and was instructed to complete an application on their website and email it directly to the site director. I had applied to numerous jobs nearly every weekday for 2 months before I found this one, then in the same week was called for an interview to a LTC facility, which I turned down because I had already accepted this position. I haven't been here long, but aside from the very demanding drug seekers, I like my job. There's good & bad with any job, so I do my best to take it in stride. Just find out the names of all the addictions facilities in your area and start calling or visiting with resumes in hand. Good luck!!