Infection Control Nurse position in prison system??

prmenrs, RN · Oct 29, 2003

Hoolio--this sounds like a nightmare of a job if ever there was one!! "Now you all better wash your hands before and after you beat the snot out of that other guy!"

Home Health Columnist / Guide · Oct 29, 2003

Not my cup of tea either... running the other way. Politics and BS in this position I'm affraid especially in NJ due to only treating 10% of prisoners with active HepC. {Previous post in activism)

Who decides which prisoner gets treatment and which staff member gets the aftermath of treatment denial.

renerian, BSN, RN · Oct 29, 2003

This sounds like a very important job Hoolahan. Let us know how the interview process goes. I have no experience in this type of health care.

Good questions!

renerian

sbic56, BSN, RN · Oct 29, 2003

Sounds like an interesting position. I have known nurses who worked in corrections and loved it. I wouldn't be swayed by the negative hype, but would definitely go into the interview armed with all the good questions you ask here, think it over and go back for a second interview with the whole new list of questions the first interview is bound to generate. Good luck and let us know if it's for you!

sbic56, BSN, RN · Oct 29, 2003

Sounds like an interesting position. I have known nurses who worked in corrections and loved it. I wouldn't be swayed by the negative hype, but would definitely go into the interview armed with all the good questions you ask here, think it over and go back for a second interview with the whole new list of questions the first interview is bound to generate. My guess it is more apt to be the system that scares you off over the inmates!Good luck and let us know if it's for you!

sbic56, BSN, RN · Oct 29, 2003

Sounds like an interesting position. I have known nurses who worked in corrections and loved it. I wouldn't be swayed by the negative hype, but would definitely go into the interview armed with all the good questions you ask here, think it over and go back for a second interview with the whole new list of questions the first interview is bound to generate. My guess it is more apt to be the system that scares you off over the inmates!Good luck and let us know if it's for you!

sbic56, BSN, RN · Oct 29, 2003

Sounds like an interesting position. I have known nurses who worked in corrections and loved it. I wouldn't be swayed by the negative hype, but would definitely go into the interview armed with all the good questions you ask here, think it over and go back for a second interview with the whole new list of questions the first interview is bound to generate. My guess it is more apt to be the system that scares you off over the inmates!Good luck and let us know if it's for you!

hoolahan, ASN, RN · Oct 30, 2003

sbic, Nah, I'm not worried about the negative replies here, I welcome them, it only gives me more questions to present.

Karen, thanks for the link, I may well print that out and take it to the interview, let them know the perception in NJ if nothing else.

Prmenrs, it could be a nightmare, or maybe I can make it a dream. I have nothing to lose but a few hours of time by going to the interview, so what the heck?

Renerian, my personal cheerleader!

Still hoping to hear from some corrections nurses too!!

susan18 · Mar 7, 2004

Anyone have any expereince with this role? I am looking into this position since it is so close to home. It would be based in central Reception and Assignment Facility, or intake essentially I guess you'd call it.
I have done infection control in a hospital, but what exactly would I be doing in the intake facility? Screening? Don't all prisoners get a medical exam?? Who screens for contagious diseases, the nurses? Infection control?
How did you adjust to working w prisoners? I would be dealing w the worst criminals and petty criminals and pedophiles, b/c they all funnel thru this place first. I really don't want to know what they are in for, but would it have relavance to what I would be doing??
Any input would be gratefully accepted, also what kind of pay do you think I should ask for? I think I can get this job if I really wanted it as an old colleague of mine is now the DON. I'm just not sure it's for me.

We have an Infection Control nurse position in our state prison. The position works mostly with interviewing inmates who have been through a positive TB screen, or had a positive Mantoux test, or come in with a positive RPR from outside. The Infection Control nurse is in frequent contact with the different health depts., the county jails for records, and interfaces with our Chronic Disease nurse clinician a lot. We have HIV inmates, of course, so that is also an area where this position's nurse assists the chronic disease nurse. I believe it requires a BSN for our position, and the pay grade is comparable with nurse clinicians. I see the Infection Control nurse call inmates up to our Outpatient area for one on one discussion and info gathering all the time. She is very well received by both staff and inmates. She serves as a valuable resource to staff who have to read the TB tests for inmates ( we are a processing center as well as a max security prison), and can be consulted if the staff do the TB screening form, and there are some positive risk answers and symptoms present. She jumps into action then, and interfaces with providers to get the inmate to isolation, etc. and to track any contacts that may have occurred. The Infection Control nurse also asists with annual staff TB skin testing at our facility each October.

As far as working with inmates, I found the transition fairly easy when I started as a correctional nurse. You should receive Undue Familiarity training or something like that as a new employee, to help you learn the different dynamics with this population group. Remember that inmates are people, with hearts and minds, too. The way you perceive them and the way you treat them will be noted BY them, and you will either be respected, or hounded to death. I always kept my word with my inmates, treated them like patients first, and it has paid off. Hope you decide to go for this position. I think you'd like it.