Just hired as LVN for CA State Prison...Help Needed

[MysticalSeeker]

I will be working on Tuesday at a state prison in California. Im a LVN with long-term care experience, so corrections is new to me. My main task is medication pass.

Any tips and advice would be great.

And I've heard that you dont wear scrubs, is that true? What would you wear?

Sorry if I seem naive, just want to get as much info as possible before I start orientation.

Thanks

[MysticalSeeker]

bump....

[kstyle1733]

I am an RN in a county jail and I would never use the word "relaxed" to describe my job.

We assess, triage, and treat inmates; while at the same time we must consider the inmate's motives, mental health, addictions, legal problems, and our own safety!!

We are the first to deal with any medical complaint from an inmate!

We are Mental Health, E.R., Med.-Surg., and Community Health nurses all roled up into one.

We do not have the luxury of an M.D. on duty 24/7 to make crucial life or death decisions!

We decide if an imate must be sent out for emergency medical service and then we must be ready to explain or defend every step of our decision making process.

We deal with inmates who will lie, cheat, and manipulate, just to break up the monotony of their own day.

We must also police the inmates so they don't "cheek" their meds in order to stockpile or use as currency.

We have inmates who never have or never would take a pill, but because they are now in jail and "entitled to health care" will take advantage of every free handout they can get.

This is not a "relaxed" nursing job! This is a fast paced and demanding job which requires you to utilize all of your nursing skills while working autonomously!

[ericbLVN]

MysticalSeeker,

By now you should have started your new position. How is it going so far? I'm in line to start at Salinas Valley State Prison in October. Any insight as the "FNG" would be appreciated.

[babyjoblueyes]

I have a huge decision to make. I have been offered Cali up north prison opp as an LVN. I have done hospice and thats it. I have a huge backbone, very strong, however, very empathetic. I would love to have more advice from a lumni. Please help a fellow nurse. I have to call them tomorrow and give them my yes or no with my registry. Its a huge decision as I am leaving my family to advance my career for a short time and I am at about 98% that I am going. I can do whatever is thrown my way. I am a rookie nurse, and from what I saw in your post I would love to hear more about the prisons with advice from what I see as a lumni in nursing in the prisons. I completely agree that you don't get involved and do your job within your scope and not to the oh poor inmate thing.... are there guards with you? I get that they can manipulate and you need to use your skills, I am just so nervous, and so ready to do this...I also love fast paced! Please help.