As I have mentioned before I am hoping to/planning on doing some travel nursing ASAP next year (Feb). Right now it is looking like I will be working in corrections. I know no subtle way of stating this, but I'm wondering if others have found it difficult to have a caring attitude towards some inmates knowing they are rapists, murderers, pedophiles etc? Are/were you able to be a good nurse for the prisoners in spite of your aversion towards their actions of the past (i.e. developed a love the sinner, hate the sin attitude)? Or is this one of the drawbacks of working in corrections that really there is no real solution to; you just have to deal with your feelings PRN?
I understand the basics of correctional nursing are the same as any other field of nursing--you are treating human beings. So when it comes down to doing your job, do you find yourself looking at the inmates as patients, or is it difficult looking past the fact that they committed some sort of heinous crime? I'm just not sure how compassionate I can be in some cases--unless I believe them when they tell me they are innocent. Do nurses even know what crimes the inmates have committed--ignorance in this case would certainly be bliss. Are my concerns unique to me, or is this a common concern for new correctional nurses? I have always been very fascinated by the criminal mind, so I would certainly hate to let my fears get in the way of this opportunity to learn, travel to another part of this great country and make great money. Any help would be greatly appreciated.