My life as a Correctional Nurse

One of my main goals each night that I work as a Correctional nurse is personal safety. Unlike the traditional healthcare setting, there are many types of people you come in contact with. For instance, jails and prisons are full of angry people with poor impulse control. As the nurse, my demeanor will determine the outcome of each and every encounter when providing care. My first thought when in contact of an angry Inmate is how can I treat him/her and keep any additional anger from developing. Aggressive responses to an angry patient can be risky, and never a first choice. Aggressive responses are arrogant and make the patient feel insecure. Preventing anger from escalating to violence is a primary tool to increase personal safety in this setting.

Correctional Nursing is a very hard job! It is normal to catch up on the local news correct? But how do you watch the news, listen to these heinous crimes, Murderers, Kidnappers, RAPE, Robbery, BABY KILLERS, CHILD ABUSERS, etc and then have them sit in front of you at your mercy for care?

My night consists of cleaning their wounds... gunshot wounds, stab wounds, Medicating their pain, and providing continuous care. Several Inmates that come in are drug and alcohol users that I have to monitor for withdrawals. As the inmates come into the jail it saddens me to see the tears and fears on so many different faces, of all walks of life. And then its the Emergencies that you are called upon....having to SAVE THEIR LIVES? Meanwhile, in the mist of it all, I have to focus on the patient and try not to judge them! In my mind, "I remember this man, he is the one that killed his family, abused his child, raped that poor woman, robbed the elderly, shot that police officer! this is him!" meanwhile he is crying for Help!!! looking into MY eyes! and what do I do? I HELP.....every time! I pray and I help! Meanwhile asking GOD to HELP ME... help him!!!

If you get too involved its called FRATERNIZATION, and you will loose your job. If you are too HARD on the Inmates you are looked upon as being non sympathetic. The only way I get through my 12.5 hour nights it is the love of GOD...This one night I was placed in a position where I helped save a life! It was a very rewarding experience and I would do it again! To this day when I see this inmate, I can't remember his charges, I only remember seeing his eyes focused on my eyes while he was in distress. And the remembrance of his sincerity, thanking me after his return from the hospital. Everyday I walk into this correctional facility I pray and remind myself I AM NOT THE JUDGE! I LET GOD... AND LET GO of any feelings of his/her accused crime. Although my job is very mentally challenging, I do love my job as a correctional nurse. And I know that all things work together for good, to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose..