Correctional Nursing-Last Stop For Nurses who can't make it anywhere else

[ceturn]

I came to correctional nursing after 4 years of ER experience in a level 1 trauma center. I was burned-out and ready for a change. One of the first things I noticed hanging on the wall of the nurses station in the max security prison I accepted a postion in, was an ad to join the correctional nurses association to counteract the perception that correctional nurses were "less than perfect nurses". I must admit, at least in my experience, truer words have rarely been written. Some of the worst nurses I have ever seen have been correctional nurses. Most have not been able to "hack-it" anywhere else they have worked and correctional nursing is the last stop before getting out of nursing completely. I could tell you stories of botched assessments, med errors, inability to manage medical emergencies, inability to draw blood or start IV's that you would find hard to believe. After 3 years as a correctional nurse I'm going back to the ER where incompetence is not tolerated.

[sjoe]

ceturn writes: "I came to correctional nursing after 4 years of ER experience in a level 1 trauma center." and

"Some of the worst nurses I have ever seen have been correctional nurses."

Apparently your RN experience is VERY limited. Only one specialty? In only one facility?

And from one experience in corrections at only one facility you generalize as though you had much broader nursing experience in a wide variety of specialties and could competently generalize? Right!

Good luck and best wishes back in the ER.

(For clarity: I have worked at 8 different facilities so far, in 8 quite different areas of nursing, and I certainly do not consider myself to be in a position to generalize about ANY group of nurses, particularly in a demeaning manner. Individually, however, it is a different situation, and you have earned a spot on my "ignore" list by your comments.)

[Stargazer]

Well, flame on. What, exactly, is this post supposed to accomplish other than pissing off everyone in this forum by implying that they are all incompetent?

Welcome to the boards. You might wanna dial it down a few notches if you plan to stick around.

[ceturn]

Prior to my ER and correctional experience, I had 10 years experience in med /surg, telemetry, cardiac step-down, pre-op and post-op recovery, cardiac recovery, peds, and icu. I also worked prn in a county jail prior to accepting a full time position in a state prison. I don't mean to give the impression that every correctional nurse I worked with was incompetent, only the majority of them.

[Stargazer]

Originally posted by ceturn

I don't mean to give the impression that every correctional nurse I worked with was incompetent, only the majority of them.

Ah. Well, that's MUCH less offensive, then. Thanks for clarifying.

[jacolaur]

Originally posted by Stargazer

Ah. Well, that's MUCH less offensive, then. Thanks for clarifying.

:chuckle

[2ndCareerRN]

What a great post to start your on-line communication with the allnurses community.

I don't often get a chance to be an a-hole here, but your post has brought it out.

I noticed your varied experiences in nursing. With that many attempts at trying to find your niche in nursing over the last few years, perhaps the problem is yours, and not your fellow workers.

I hear McDonalds is hiring these days!! Perhaps there you can find your place in life.

bob

[ceturn]

Ah, the beauty of nursing. How can one ever get bored with all the opportunity to experience its many different facets! It's not so much an attempt to find a nursing niche, as it is an opportunity to gain experience in a wide range of disciplines. May decide to give travel nursing a try one of these days to make some real money.

[baseline]

Seems like such a trend here lately.........bash bash.....who ARE these people?

[TNcanNURSE]

I really don't think that there is any one area where the "BAD NURSES" live. Pay attention and you'll see them in every area. Spend much time on this BB and you'll see amazing jerks, disgruntled a*holes, and illiterate trained monkeys.

I don't think there is one single profession that is without its embarassments.

[caroladybelle, BSN, RN]

As a travel nurse, I think that you might want reset your attitude prior to traveling.

Your air of utter superiority might not be well received by those you may work with and might be perceived as a stench.

[Lausana]

Eh? What the heck is the purpose is your posts?