Addictions Nurse – Career and Education Profile

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Addictions nurses work with patients trying to overcome alcohol or drug abuse. You could work at a facilities specifically treating this type of patient or you could work at a more general facility, working to ensure patients are clean and do not get addicted to the pain and other medications they need.

Job Responsibilities

Addictions nurses concentrate on four different tasks, depending on their specific job title and daily duties: prevention, intervention, treatment, and addition management. Most commonly, nurses in this field work with patients dealing with alcohol and drug abuse, but you could also deal with patients who are suffering from other kinds of addiction-related problems, such as eating disorders and process-based addictions like gambling. If you are an RN, you’ll complete tasks such as recording vital signs, completing patient history interviews, and helping patients with personal hygiene. Addictions nurses also track progress, and at some facilities, you may do “room checks” to ensure that patients do not have contraband or help doctors prepare for therapy sessions.

Salary and Career Options

RNs are in high demand in all nursing niches, including addictions, and after you get your bachelor’s degree in nursing, you can also consider becoming a clinical nurse specialist or nurse practitioner in this field, which allows you to perform advanced tasks. The salary you can expect as an addictions nurse depends on your level of education and experience, but according to Simply Hired, addictions nurses make an average of $45,000 annually.

Educational Requirements

To become an RN, you need at least an associate’s degree, though some nurses opt to earn a bachelor’s degree or master’s degree in this field, which allows you to take classes specifically related to mental health or addictions. All nurses must complete clinical work at a healthcare facility, as well as get certified as a nurse with their state board. Your can also choose become a Certified Addictions Registered Nurse (CARN) or Certified Addictions Registered Nurse – Advanced Practice (CARN-AP) by completing additional education and passing a test by the International Nurses Society on Addictions.

LPN to RN College Programs

With some additional schooling, a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) can become a registered nurse (RN), opening doors to more job opportunities and higher salaries. The following is a list of schools with the best online LPN to RN degree programs offered by accredited colleges. You can request information by clicking the college's logo.

LPN to RN (BSN)	Indiana State University—ISU’s LPN to BSN degree program is the only online LPN to RN training program in the United States. LPNs and LVNs who complete this program can earn their NLNAC-approved Bachelor of Science degree in nursing entirely online. Upon completion, graduates should meet all of the prerequisites for becoming an RN. Read an in-depth review of Indiana State University.
LPN to RN LPN to ADN LPN to BSN	The College Network—Earn your LPN to RN (ADN) degree completely online with no campus attendance and no wait list. Learn from the convenience of home at your own pace, and earn an NLNAC-accredited associate’s degree in less time and for less money than traditional campus programs. Read an in-depth review of The College Network.
	Select a subject and degree level, then click "Find My Degree" to browse 100+ online nursing schools offering relevant accredited programs.
BS in Nursing RN to MSN MSN in Nurse Education MSN in Nurse Informatics MSN in Nurse Management	Walden University—Founded in 1970, Walden University is dedicated to providing education for a higher purpose. The Nursing School confers degrees at the bachelor’s and master’s level, which provides further study in health informatics, nursing education, and nursing leadership/management. Walden is one of the biggest providers of online master and doctorate programs with over a hundred degrees offered at each level.
RN to BSN MS in Nursing (MSN) MSN in Adult Health RN to MSN in Nurse Education Accelerated RN to MSN	South University—South University’s College of Nursing offers numerous degree programs for aspiring nurses. Those looking for a BSN degree can enter into the RN to BSN and complete it within 18 months. South also offers the following master’s degree-level programs: MS in Nursing (MSN), MSN in adult health nurse practitioning, MSN in nurse education, and an accelerated RN to MSN.
RN to BSN RN to MSN MSN in Nurse Administration MSN in Nurse Education	Kaplan University—Kaplan University’s RN to BSN and RN to MSN programs feature curriculums that provide registered nurses with the tools to graduate with BSN and MSN degrees. The MSNs in Nurse Administration or Nurse Education feature curriculums that teach methods in management and education in order to prepare students for leadership and educator positions with in the nursing field.