LPN starting first day in correctional nursing

Quiskeya · Oct 5, 2008

I applied at my local county jail to be a correctional nurse as well. They are not hiring right now, but I will keep reaplying and calling because I think it will be nice to do that type of nursing. I do not have a detail answer for your question. A couple of my classmates got hired, one of them quit after the first week and the other one is still working there. I do not know why the one nurse left the job though. I will update you in this matter as soon as I hear something or if I get lucky enough and get hired myself.

akantner · Oct 5, 2008

Good Luck! It takes a strong person.

jamangel · Oct 5, 2008

It really depends on where you work. I do pill call for the entire jail-alone. I have two pill calls HIV and diabetics and then a full pill call late before lights out.

In between, I help with in processing of inmates in the jail. There is a RN who works in medical for emergencies and inprocessing and treatments.

Corrections isn't for everyone but just remember the rules. Treat the inmate as you would the elderly patient at the nursing home. We're not there to judge or be jury. Who you are as a nurse should not change no matter what demographic you work for. Keep your interactions professional and honey, please don't fall for their lines. Not saying you're the kind but it happens-alot.

Let me know if you have more questions.

P.S. Women are the worst inmates in my observation.

ex1140 · Oct 21, 2008

Hello, I have been an LPN for 2 plus years working entirely in long term care. I recently moved to FL and I accepted a job at a local jail. I am a little excited because it will be something new for me but at the same time I am scared due to the good and bad stories I have heard. My question is, what exactly is the role of the LPN in the jail setting. I will be working 7p-7a. Any advice will be greatly appreciated, thanks.

I worked corrections for 2 years following a 6 month stint at a LTC/Rehab...it was a welcomed change. I loved working corrections for the first year. However, it became more difficult due to the constant change of hand involving the companies that were contracted to handle the medical unit. I simply grew tired of seeing changes that didn't seem to help me. I must say that I learned a great deal and I attribute my increase in skills to working in corrections...I would recommend this area of nursing to anyone, but after 2 years I was done.

I agree that it is not for everyone and that worst thing a nurse could do is forget her title and try to be an officer instead, big mistake! Treat the inmates with respect and I guarantee you they will give you the same in return...God bless and I hope it works out for you it can be very rewarding and humbling. :saint:

Quiskeya · Oct 21, 2008

I was hired at the local county jail. I really wanted this job. I will start orientation this Friday, let's see how I handle it. I will keep you guys posted.

heavenleigh4 · Oct 22, 2008

I recently changed from a clinic nurse to a jail nurse and I have to say I LOVE IT! yes it is a little different and you will experience a lot of things you wouldn't expect in a more casual setting, but if you like to see a variety of things and don't mind some slow moments I think you will love it too.

and btw jamangel hit it right on the nose with that post.

especially the P.S.

Good Luck!!

WellTravelledNurse · Oct 22, 2008

I've worked in corrections for a while, and have some information that I hope will help anyone just starting out. Number 1: Safety first - YOUR safety. I don't care if an inmate is lying there spurting bright red blood three feet in the air, you don't go in until the deputies/guards have made it safe for you to do so. Number 2: NEVER ever be alone with an inmate. If you go into a cell, the deputy/guard goes in, too. He/she should be the first in and the last out. If the deputy/guard walks out of the room, turn and walk out right behind them. Don't let them get away with standing in the doorway while you take vitals. We've had two nurses taken hostage. It happens. Number 3: Do not give out any personal information. I don't wear my wedding rings, and when an inmate asks if I'm married or have a boyfriend, I smile and say, "I don't discuss my personal life here." Be careful about having anything on you (a bus pass, or photos of your kids) that might give them information about your family or where you live. If a co-worker asks me about my family in front of an inmate, I lie. Then later, when we're alone, I let the co-worker know that I lied, and the reason I did. I learned this one from a deputy. He had a wonderful wife and two little kids. But if an inmate was nearby, he'd say his wife "that b*tch" left him and was "shacked up in Idaho somewhere."

WellTravelledNurse · Oct 22, 2008

Just want to add to my message. I do love correctional nursing. What I love about it is the honesty. I can say what I'm thinking here more than anywhere else I've ever worked. I can tell inmates when I think they're making wrong choices. I can send drug-seekers back to their cells, instead of medicating them like I used to in ER.

NurseLite · Oct 26, 2008

7p-7a ... Welcome to my shift!

I too work that shift in a "relatively" small county jail in Florida. (2000+)

I love my shift, I love my officers. The inmates are my patients and well I treat them as such. I work in the smaller of the two buildings which house all females and some males and all new arrestees.

On our shift, the LPN's are responsible for the evening pill pass for the females, the 3am accuchecks and any medical emergencies that may arise. We have a medical assistant who takes care of all of our wound care, labwork, and chart noting. In the other building we have an RN who runs the "infirmary" and 2 more LPN's who are responsible for their pill passes.

The night shift is just that ... we are there for emergencies after 10pm. We are a skeleton crew but work as a team to make sure everyone is "medically safe" at night.

I have one strict rule ... NO ONE dies on my shift. They may have a HR of 10 when they left the building ... but by God, they had a HR!

Quiskeya · Oct 26, 2008

I started correctional nursing last week, and I got to say that I LOVE IT. It's a totally different type of nursing and I love the environment. It's nothing like they make it to be in TV. At least not, where I work. Staff so far has been helpful and very friendly. The only down side for me is that is a little bit of a drive, around 50 miles round trip. I will see if I can get in in my county's jail, that would be really close, about 12 miles round trip.

Quiskeya · Nov 15, 2008

I got hired at the county jail. So far, I love it. This is a very interesting type of nursing. It's very challeging, demanding and requires lots of critical thinking skills. You have the chance to make a difference in a type of population that most people look down on. In my case, I treated with respect and I don't treat them as inmates. In my eyes they are my patients and I am there to make them well.