How did you come to work in corrections?

teeituptom, BSN, RN · Apr 25, 2003

I went to work in corrections as I got busted

ha ha ha ha

TerriRene · Apr 25, 2003

Hi All:

I have been a nurse for 18 years and have worked in many different areas(Labor and Delivery, NICU, Med-Surg, Nursing Home, Psych, Newborn Nursery, Home Health) and decided that I wanted an area in which I could use all of my skills and enjoy the challenge of doing so. I decided to try correctional nursing againist the advice of my family and they still think that I am crazy to like it. But to be honest I LOVE IT! I worked in the past within a psychiatric locked unit and to be honest the correctional setting is very similar as you are locked in with some patients who are mentally unstable and who would not hesitate to harm you if given the chance. Also, many of the inmates are VERY, VERY manipulative. I am a 5'4" 110 pound (OK, OK you have pressed me!! I am really 125 pounds) female. I have never been attacked but I learned real quickly how to set very firm limits and to always be on my guard with inmates and to remember that safety comes first.

TerriRene · Apr 25, 2003

Hi All:

I have been a nurse for 18 years and have worked in many different areas(Labor and Delivery, NICU, Med-Surg, Nursing Home, Psych, Newborn Nursery, Home Health) and decided that I wanted an area in which I could use all of my skills and enjoy the challenge of doing so. I decided to try correctional nursing againist the advice of my family and they still think that I am crazy to like it. But to be honest I LOVE IT! I worked in the past within a psychiatric locked unit and to be honest the correctional setting is very similar as you are locked in with some patients who are mentally unstable and who would not hesitate to harm you if given the chance. Also, many of the inmates are VERY, VERY manipulative. I am a 5'4" 110 pound (OK, OK you have pressed me!! I am really 125 pounds) female. I have never been attacked but I learned real quickly how to set very firm limits and to always be on my guard with inmates and to remember that safety comes first.

PINKYE1 · May 8, 2003

I was previously a correctional supervisor in Ca state prison and had to leave due to illness. I missed it so much I am currently in the process of re-instating into the system. Say what you will, but I'll take the correctional setting any day. Wonderful benefits, much safer than in the outside world (officers all around and no worries about being shot at, etc. by some loony off the street), less work, stress and better pay. Either you love it or you hate it. Patients are manipulative everywhere and in the correctional setting you DON'T HAVE TO DEAL WITH THEIR RELATIVES. No phones ringing, patients demanding this and that, or having to constantly defend your every move. Do your job and go home. Also, you're off the same 2 days every week (plan a life anyone?), 13 PAID holidays, and all sorts of other benefits. I'll stay in the correctional setting, THANK YOU VERY MUCH!!!!

Orca, ADN, ASN, RN · May 8, 2003

One of the concerns expressed by those who are apprehensive about correctional nursing is personal safety. Pinkye1 summed it up: officers all around. Unlike the hospital setting, if someone happened to make a move toward you, they get taken down.

I can also identify with the comment about not having to deal with relatives. Some of my worst experiences in nursing have come from dealing with families who believe they know better than both the doctors and the medical staff, and want to argue every minor point with you.

If an inmate argues, you send him packing, and he doesn't get what he came for. Very simple. Consequently, I have very few problems with inmates.

probable cause · May 15, 2003

All my friends are in prison.

dragonfly954 · Sep 14, 2003

I started as agency and have been there off and on 2 years.I live in a small town in fla and sometimes its slim pickens for agency during off season.So I went just to give it a try.It was culture shock for sure.The staff turnover is great,many of the staff are bipolar or borderlines,I think.I have met some really great nurses in this setting and some really kooky ones too.Some resent the agency a great deal and let me know about it(you make more money than we do,you work when you want too,etc).That seems to be the biggest issue,but most are just happy to have me there to give them a break.

BunchRN · Sep 14, 2003

I am going on my 14 year in Corrections. I worked in a Max for 12 1/2yrs and now in a Medium institiution for almost for 1 yr. I never thought that I would be working in a prison but since I have been working there, I wouldn't work anywhere else. I have a wonderful ,supportive husband that also works in Corrections. Working in Corrections the hard part is the Political BS, not the inmates. The only advise that I can give you is don't bring anything in for them, and don't take anything out for them. Also if you are honest and fair with them you will have no problem. GOOD LUCK!!!

NurseAngie · Sep 15, 2003

I like working in corrections. I learn something new everyday and it's a very pleasant working atmosphere. {Btw...the jail doesn't have agency nurses.We do have PRN nurses though.}

~Angie

Orca, ADN, ASN, RN · Sep 15, 2003

Nevada DOC doesn't use agency either. We had an agency contract through July 2002, but it wasn't renewed. Open shifts are filled by per diem staff or full-time staff seeking OT.

cardiacnrs · Dec 1, 2003

I was a little concerned when I started in corrections as there was a murder on the day I started, 3 inmates had cornered an officer and he wound up dead. They locked down the whole facility so my first expereinces were house to house med passes. I was never really concerned for my safety as there were two officers escorting me at all times. I worked death row segs and lifers. I only had 2 confrontations in the whole time I was there and they were pretty minor. We moved from the old site to the new site and it was a cluster. Somehow the higher ups decided that medical would be the last to move.

Can anyone say nightmare. lol We muddled through it and it took about 2 monthes before everything was running smoothly again. Lots of complaints.

But we survived.

You get used to the clanging doors and like anything you hear regularly you just don't even notice it.

Best job I ever had and hope to go back to it.

Gotta get the kids graduated 3 years woohoo!!!!!!!

Then it's watch out Wyoming I'm comin home.lol

nursewatson · Dec 11, 2003

I got into corrections because where I live the prison was one of the highest paying jobs with the least amount of travel time for me. I was very apprehensive at first then after a few days I no longer felt that way. It was like any other job they may be inmates but they need medical care just like anyone else and that is the bottom line so you go in do your job and then you go home and don't worry about what happens after you leave. I worked in a nursing home for a year and could not deal with it I was an emotional wreck after a year because I got so attached to those people and when they died it ripped my heart out, so I decided that geriatrics wasn't for me, but with this line of work you really don't get attached you don't have enough contact with the inmates to get any attachment to them. You can care if they get treatment because that is your job but as for caring about them any other way you don't have too.

As for being afraid most of the inmates you deal with as a nurse are going to be nice to you just to see if they can get you to give them something you are not supposed to but after you set your boundaries and let them know first hand you aren't going to tolerate any bull then they pretty much leave you alone.

You have to be aware at all times of were you are and don't be at all trusting of any of them. I am no longer working at the prison because I have decided to go back and get my RN degree but I do plan on returning to Correctional nursing when I graduate.