Bad Boys, Bad Boys... How do you handle them?

[valzRN]

As Correctional Nurses, we know that the behavior and language is not always pleasant in this type of environment. So... just a couple of questions about a few issues that are constant problems that I have to deal with... How do you handle these issues?

1. When you have a habitual "gunner" how do you handle that when the CO chooses to look the other way? In other facilities that I have worked in, this was NOT tolerated... The COs won't even write a report for formal charges as in other facilities that I have worked in. They don't do anything at all but look the other way. When I try to make an issue out of it, they act like it was no big deal.

2. I can't stand it when every other word drops the "F bomb." I generally use the "3 strike" rule, so I usually say something like, "Could you not use that type of language around me please?" Usually that works, but if I have to say something again it's more like, "Okay, one more time and this conversation is over and you can address this another day and be charged for another sick call." In the beginning your always so wonderful and then when you do or say something that they don't like then your a ***** or some other colorful word. I don't take offense to it, it comes with the territory, but I just get sick of it sometimes.

I have been working in corrections for a long time and these seem to be the biggest issue... well, besides the fact that the PM med pass takes about 5 hours to do in a jail that houses only about 360 people. I have worked in metro jails that house over 3000 and only took like 2-3 hours for the med pass... I am ready to just leave this place... I have not been impressed since I walked in the door. I have been at this particular facility for almost 3 months and everything is so backwards there. It's so irritating that I just want to leave and never go back. It's ran like a daycare center rather than a jail.

Anyways... what are your thoughts?

[cardiacfreak, ADN]

While most of us avoid that like the plague

Bless you officer RNBSN.

[Two Sheds]

I "loud them out," in other words I embarass the hell out of them. MANY an I/M has been the unfortunate recipient of my shaming wisecracks, and they do not do it anymore. Some do, but for the most part, once they're "owned" they knock it off and start trying to shock another, newer nurse.

For instance, I was checking vitals in one of our lockdown units, and the guy was supposed to stick his hand out of the door flap so that I could apply my electronic BP cuff. Well, guess what he stuck out instead. I just gave him a "for real?" look and loudly said, "Wow, you sure ruined that myth about black guys and size." ALL of the I/M and COs around him, black and white, laughed so hard they about wet themselves. That I/M now hides from me when I enter the unit. But because I stand up for myself and do not take any nonsense, I have, in a way, earned "cred" with the I/M for having guts.

Another instance, I was doing medical screenings in our booking office. This guy comes in, sits down, and runs his hand down the front of his pants, obviously masturbating. I told him to keep his hands in plain view at all times, and he replied, "Aww, I'm just playing." I was like, "Yeah, I KNOW you're playing." I got up, went to my office door, and called to the CO across the room (a room filled with new book-ins, BTW), "Hey, um, I don't know if this guy's jerking off, scratching crabs, or what, but he won't keep his hands out of his pants!" Everyone in the room turned to look at him and I thought this guy was going to die of embarrassment, lol!

Fun times....

[youngheartoldhead]

trying to get inmates to behave and act normal ? good luck. Most of the CO's I know would just look the other way, nurses too. CO's have to pick their battles, and battling over inmates sexually relieving themselves is low on the totem pole. Expecting them to make an issue out of these things actually causes more disruption and problems than the actual jacking off. and censoring inmates language? good luck with that too. I understand that people don't want to be subjected to these types of behaviors, but the operations can't revolve around making sure that the nurse is not offended. It makes more sense for the nurse to find another job.

[Future FNP 14]

I also called them out write an incident report and refer them to mental health so there is enough documentation of their behavior.

[DawnJ]

I think I could ignore or shame the gunning, but getting hit with semen puts it in a whole new category. Bodily fluids? Not without PPE!

[NConleyRN]

Most irritating part of the job is the "gunning". Im like I did not come to work to see your member. Some facilites are better than others when comes to controlling this. My usual response to anyone that decides to touch themselves in my presence is "I hope your enjoying the view because I used to be a man". I was not ever a man but it makes them stop for a minute, usually long enough for me to get out of the line of fight.

[RN In FL]

All of the above information is helpful for me. I began a brand new Director of Nursing position 4 August. I am totally excited. I am opening a new chapter in my 31 years of nursing. I have done it all. Home Health, Oncology, Public Health, Case Management of Substance Abusing Pregnant Women, to Managed Care for the past 10 yrs. The jail houses approx. 560 men and women county correctional facility. Again, thanks ladies and gents.