What Is a Substance Abuse Nurse?
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| Advanced Nursing 2021 |
A
substance abuse nurse,
sometimes referred to as an addiction nurse,
specializes in the treatment of patients addicted to drugs, alcohol or other
substances. Substance abuse nurses
are trained in mental health
in addition to general medicine.
They provide pain management, education for patients and caregivers about the
dangers of substance abuse and emotional support to patients in crisis.
Becoming a Substance
Abuse Nurse
As
with other nursing careers,
the first step in becoming a substance abuse nurse is to
complete an Associate's Degree in Nursing
or Bachelor of Science in Nursing
degree to gain a general nursing
education. For aspiring addiction nurses, elective
courses in mental
health will be particularly important. Once a nurse has
completed schooling, they must pass the NCLEX-RN exam.
From there, an RN
may begin work as a substance abuse nurse. Once a nurse
has completed 2,000 hours of professional nursing
experience in the substance abuse sector and 30 hours of continuing education
related to addictions nursing
within the last three years, he or she may sit for the Certified
Addictions Registered Nurse (CARN) certification exam offered by the International
Nurses Society on Addictions. While not required for all substance abuse nursing
positions, the CARN certification communicates a nurse's commitment
to substance abuse nursing to
prospective employers.
A
typical job posting for a substance abuse nurse position
would likely include the following qualifications, among others specific to the
type of employer and location:
- ADN or BSN degree and valid RN license
- Ability to make safe judgment calls in patient care
- Strong communication skills for educating patients and their families about the dangers of substance abuse and their treatment options
- Proficiency in computer programs and data entry for maintaining patient records
- Experience in mental health and/or addiction preferred
- Caring and professional demeanor with compassion for patients struggling with addiction
What Are the
Education Requirements for Substance Abuse Nurses?
Substance
abuse nurses
are generally required to have completed an ADN or BSN degree and to
hold a valid RN
license in the state in which they plan to practice. A higher nursing degree is usually not
required, but elective courses in mental health
and addiction are critical for nurses
interested in pursuing a career in substance abuse nursing.
Are Any
Certifications or Credentials Needed?
While
not required for most substance abuse nursing
positions, RNs
who wish to specialize in addiction nursing
may consider becoming a Certified
Addiction Registered Nurse. The International
Nurses Society on Addictions sponsors this exam, which is open to RNs who
have completed 2,000 hours of professional experience in substance abuse nursing and 30
hours of continuing education related to addictions nursing within
the last three years. This certification offers RNs a
competitive edge when seeking employment or advancement as a substance abuse nurse.
Where Do
Substance Abuse Nurses Work?
Substance abuse nurses
work with patients and their families in a variety of settings, including:
- Mental health clinics
- Psychiatric wards in hospitals
- Inpatient or outpatient substance abuse treatment facilities
What Does a Substance Abuse Nurse
Do?
A
substance abuse
nurse provides direct patient care to individuals struggling with substance
abuse and addiction. They assist physicians in developing treatment plans,
perform patient assessments, monitor a patient's progress and administer
medications and pain management services. An important aspect of substance
abuse nursing
is mental
health and emotional support services. Substance abuse
nurses often conduct mental health
screenings and provide emotional support for patients and their families during
treatment. They also educate patients and their loved ones about the dangers of
substance abuse and provide resources and information about the various
treatment options for addiction.
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