Required education
ADN or BSN
Average annual salary
Attributes
Independent
Work on your own or even start your own practice, in some states.
Patient-facing
Work hands-on, directly with patients.
Structured
Follow a routine that allows you to anticipate and prepare for every situation.
Varied
Take on different tasks, patients, and situations every day.
You’ll be trained in general medicine and mental health to help patients over the physical and psychological obstacles of their addiction.
What you’ll do
Assessment
You’ll evaluate patients and monitor their treatment.
Counsel
You’ll provide patients and families with emotional support and connect them with relevant support groups and outpatient services.
Education
You’ll teach patients and caregivers about the dangers of substance abuse and the available treatments.
Treatment
You’ll administer medication and work with doctors to create and implement treatment plans for patients.
Where you’ll work
- Community health clinics
- Mental health clinics
- Psychiatric wards in hospitals
- Substance abuse treatment centers
How to become a Substance Abuse Nurse
01
Get an Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN) or Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).
02
Pass the NCLEX-RN.
03
Work as a Registered Nurse, gaining 2,000 hours of experience and 30 hours’ continuing education in Substance Abuse.
04
You’re ready to work as a Substance Abuse Nurse.
Join an Organization
Become a member of a Substance Abuse Nurse organization to find career opportunities, learn from your colleagues, and support the profession.
Related Organizations
A Telephone Triage Nurse’s role is also structured.
A Rheumatology Nurse is another type of long-term care nurse.
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