New Grad in Corrections

Specialties Correctional

Published

I am interested in hearing the experiences of new grads who have taken jobs in corrections. I myself am a new grad and corrections seems like the only job interested in hiring/training me. I wanted some insight into what it is like to enter this specialty right out of school.

Specializes in Occupational health, Corrections, PACU.

Working in corrections you will not find a job that is similar. You set your own pace and you have officers to back you up. If you want to develop skills don't go here...(IV insertion, caths, etc) those are rare experiences. But you commonly see wounds (gun shots, MRSA wound, etc) and its a lot of of ETOH detox if you are in a central booking facility.

This depends on where you work. In the facilities I have been in, most work is done in the clinic/outpatient setting (usually with a busy 1 or 2 bed ER as well). We would often start IV's (usually for antibiotic infusions for MRSA), do LOTS of wound care, triage, treat emergencies (as well as go pick them up), deal with seizures (lots of seizure patients in corrections), foley cath insertions for different reasons (i.e. overdose, etc.) So you may have the chance to develop and practice a number of skills, and more quickly than you would think. Like I said, it depends a great deal on your setting, and it also depends on whether you are an RN or LVN. Good luck!!

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Specializes in Acute Care Psych, DNP Student.
I just started corrections and I absolutely love it! I am not a new grad, but I know as of late it is hard for a nurse to get a job especially a new grad. I have five years of experience: acute care (telemetry/IMC X 3 years; psych X 5 mo; and home care x 1 year, telephonic nursing X 5 months). For new grads I think this is an excellent experience. Of course everyone says you need hospital experience and blah blah blah, which I do think it helps, but if you have common sense and you are fresh out of nursing school, you will do fine. Working in corrections you will not find a job that is similar. You set your own pace and you have officers to back you up. If you want to develop skills don't go here...(IV insertion, caths, etc) those are rare experiences. But you commonly see wounds (gun shots, MRSA wound, etc) and its a lot of of ETOH detox if you are in a central booking facility. I think the pay is good, at least for me this job has paid better than my others: in excess of 30$ an hour. I actually feel that this position has been the safest one as well...you are more likely to get injured working with patients in the hospital/clinical settings. Like I have always said, if there is a particular field you want to go in and you are a new grad - go for it by all means. There is always someone willing to train you if you want it bad enough. However, lately, it's hard to get a job. Do not settle. If you can get a hospital job - then awesome - take it no matter what they pay you; it will definitely give you a good foundation!

It depends upon the correctional health care facility. Some have ER bays where they handle most emergencies "in house." Some even have their own certified acute care facilities in the prison and/or do minor surgeries; others send everything out.

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Thank you for all that have responded back to my post. I was totally honest on my application. I listed everything on my driving record. I was interviewed and I was offered a position and still in the process of getting everything together in order to actually be 100% hired. I was called for a drug test I did that, turned in needed documents and now I have to pass a physical, which leads me to another question and concern. My question is do I have to disclose my medical history to the agency who will be performing my physical? I am scared my medical diagnosis (Diabetes) will cause my potential employer not to hire me after all. Do I have to disclose my condition to this state employer. I honestly don't want to lie, but I am afraid they will fail me on my physical and I wont get this job. Do I have the right not to share my medical information??

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Specializes in forensic psych, corrections.

I think you should share your medical information. It is important information for them to know if you should have a diabetic emergency while at work -- it could mean the difference between life and death for you. There are many, many nurses here that have diabetes, hypertension, you name it... it didn't stop them from being hired and it won't stop you.

Although I am going to buck the trend and say unless you are very confident corrections is a difficult environment for a new grad. You are just learning your assessment skills and you have inmates lying to you, making up symptomology, manipulating you -- you are really 100% on your own a lot of the time. I came here several years of experience and it was still a steep learning curve. I've seen new grads really struggle here. It's difficult. You need to be confident and assertive and very clear-headed during emergencies. You'll see a lot of them.

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Specializes in Correctional Nursing, Orthopediacs.
I just started corrections and I absolutely love it! I am not a new grad, but I know as of late it is hard for a nurse to get a job especially a new grad. I have five years of experience: acute care (telemetry/IMC X 3 years; psych X 5 mo; and home care x 1 year, telephonic nursing X 5 months). For new grads I think this is an excellent experience. Of course everyone says you need hospital experience and blah blah blah, which I do think it helps, but if you have common sense and you are fresh out of nursing school, you will do fine. Working in corrections you will not find a job that is similar. You set your own pace and you have officers to back you up. If you want to develop skills don't go here...(IV insertion, caths, etc) those are rare experiences. But you commonly see wounds (gun shots, MRSA wound, etc) and its a lot of of ETOH detox if you are in a central booking facility. I think the pay is good, at least for me this job has paid better than my others: in excess of 30$ an hour. I actually feel that this position has been the safest one as well...you are more likely to get injured working with patients in the hospital/clinical settings. Like I have always said, if there is a particular field you want to go in and you are a new grad - go for it by all means. There is always someone willing to train you if you want it bad enough. However, lately, it's hard to get a job. Do not settle. If you can get a hospital job - then awesome - take it no matter what they pay you; it will definitely give you a good foundation!

My experience is opposite I do all kinds of these skills. If you want to develop skills don't go here...(IV insertion, caths, etc) those are rare experiences. But I work in the unit that gets the guys after stays in hospital, cancer pt., dialysis pts. and have had a pt. die on me. Interesting experience. I have learned to assess the situation and tell doctor about things going on dr. is never there when I am. Good luck

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