Correctional nursing isnt for me!

[MiaTrace]

After only 2 weeks of orienting, I discovered Correctional nursing isn't for me. The thought of returning makes my stomach twist in knots. In my 13 years of nursing, I've never gotten into my car after a shift and cried like a baby. I don't wanna leave so soon after only 2 weeks, even tried to communicate with ADON to decrease my time to ( 2 days a week, until I can find another job) she hasn't returned my call. Totally at a lost of what to do because I had so many hopes for this job but I guess the saying is, you either like it or you don't and yes the money and benefits were good but NOT worth my Sanity. Back to job hunting I go, pray for for me please nurse family?

[cynforgiven]

I've worked at 2 different correctional facilities - one on the county level and one for the state, both for just over a year each. I loved one and wish I was still there but hated the other with a passion. The actual nursing job itself was great at both facilities: the way the routines were set up, how inmate care was handled, the basic things that go into your nursing job pretty much anywhere you go.

Aside from the specifics of the job, the treatment i received from my coworkers (mainly the security staff, but sometimes partly the others in medical) at the one i hated was the only reason I left. I was made to feel that i couldn't do my job or that the way i did it was wrong. I was given no training other than "this is what you do and when". Orientation lasted about a week.No security training and no reassurances that security would have my back. Rarely was there any security officers in medical, even when there was a doctor or dental call. I was even locked into a women's dorm "accidentally" while the officers claimed they had no idea i was there.

At the other facility, I never felt safer. There was always an officer present when an inmate was in medical - and if the inmate was known to cause trouble there may be 2 or 3 officer that would happen to "make rounds and grab a cup of coffee" at the time. My supervisors were constantly helpful, answered any questions, and supportive of the nursing decisions I made. My orientation there was 3 months: a month attached to another nurse learning the routines and procedures, and 2 months flying solo but with another nurse watching over my shoulder to make sure i was comfortable and getting the hang of things. At the 6 month mark i was assigned a "specialty" - each nurse had a different assignment: tb tests & setting up treatment, HIV, chronic illnesses, lab draws, etc. I learned a LOT about nursing in general while working there and miss it greatly.

Don't discard the idea of correctional nursing because of a bad experience. Just like one hospital or nursing home is different from another, another correctional facility will have a totally different set of people working there which puts a different spin on how your job is carried out.

@MiaTrace: Out of curiosity, what did you decide to do about your job?

[firetomysoul]

thank for this post

[OrganizedChaos, LVN]

The last correctional facility was EXACTLY like that. A ridiculous amount of paper work, negative nurses & guards. The facility took mostly illegal immigrants so speaking Spanish is pretty much a must. When CO's heard I didn't speak Spanish they were so rude & most of the time didn't want to stop what they were doing to help me. I had a two week "orientation". Hah. A joke. After "orientation" I was more confused & had no one to ask. So when I did something wrong, this one nurse would chew me out. I've worked in corrections before & it was NOTHING like that. Nurses helped each other, CO's helped the nurses & the paperwork was manageable within the time frame. They pay & benefits were awesome but I NEVER want to go back.

[katkonk, BSN, RN]

Just out of curiosity, was the place that was awful a state, federal, or private corrections environment?

[OrganizedChaos, LVN]

Just out of curiosity was the place that was awful a state, federal, or private corrections environment?[/quote']

Medical was run by CHC. I think it was federal because they took ICE & Marshal detainees.