It's unfortunate that 23.5 million people required treatment for drug or alcohol abuse in 2009 according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's (SAMHSA's) National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Of these 23.5 million people, only a mere 2.6 million received care at a specialized facility. The drug abuse treatment field is booming with careers for compassionate, caring individuals. Careers in drug abuse are based at many locations including detention centers, research facilities, educational centers, hospitals, methadone clinics, private practices, detoxification centers, mental health centers and drug rehabilitation centers. This makes them very available and attainable, for non-profit as well.
Here is one non-profit organizations that specialize in various addiction recovery programs:
Shatterproof has developed an ambitious set of goals that will guide the organization through the next two decades of work. For example, the group hopes to reduce the number of addicted people by 50 percent and reduce the societal costs associated with addiction by 50 percent. Families inspired by these goals can work at the local level to bring these changes about.
There's also the option of minoring in non-profit in addition to majoring in nursing. This creates somewhat of seamless bridge between the two passions. Some nonprofit organization management minors can complement a major in business, social work, sociology, theology, and more. You can learn the essentials of management for a nonprofit with classes in accounting, economics, sustainability, leadership, and nonprofit management. You can also be able to choose one specialized course like economic development, organizational behavior, entrepreneurship, and others that will have you discuss innovative solutions to important issues and questions in the nonprofit sector. Completion of this minor program can provide you with the knowledge to succeed in management roles within a nonprofit organization.
Here are some great examples of current jobs there are available that combining nursing and non-profit work:
The Carson Tahoe Health (CTH) is a not-for-profit healthcare system with 240 licensed acute care beds. Serving a population of over 250,000, CTH features two hospitals, two urgent cares, an emergency care center, outpatient services and a provider network with 19 regional locations. The system is headquartered on a beautiful master planned 80-acre medical campus nestled among the foothills of the Sierra Nevada in North Carson City. As the system's cornerstone, Carson Tahoe Regional Medical Center (CTRMC), voted 5th most beautiful hospital in the nation, was the first Baby-Friendly designated hospital in Nevada. Also included on the campus is Carson Tahoe Sierra Surgery, a 15-bed boutique surgery center, Carson Tahoe Cancer Center, an affiliate of Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, and the award-winning Carson Tahoe Cancer Resource Center.
HESSCO, a non-profit social services agency, seeks a Community Transitions Specialist (CTS) to work with the nursing facility staff to identify and support residents who wish to explore other living options. The CTS collaborates with the ASAP RN, the resident, any caregivers, nursing facility team members and community based service providers. The focus will be to develop relationships at the facilities and work together on the discharge of residents who face challenges and barriers to leaving the facility. (As you can see from this description, a need for nurses is prevalent).
By Josephine Reid
