Please help me

Before I amswer, save this link, it is for the International Association of Forensic Nurses. There is a sub group of correctione Nursing in the organization. http://www.forensicnurse.org/

Now to address your concerns. A good majority of inmates had 3 rocks of crack in their posession and had to face the same mandatory sentences as drug king pins.

Second, you can really make a difference in an inmates life. While the inmate is in prision, many are working on their GED. Many get master's degrees under lock and key. You can fostor the growth of someone who has made a mistake and is paying for it. Have you ever seen the movie "shawshank redemption " Rent it.
The innocense project has freed many people from death row who were wrongly tried and sentenced.
http://www.innocenceproject.org/
If you make this agreement, it is not your job to judge.
Quoting your post, "
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 "
As of now, You are the wrong person for this position. For safety every nurse knows someone's criminal history.
You asked if you are unique, yes, as you made an agreement eyes wide open, but have all these barriers and roadblocks. You have not done your homework. My poor cousin Susan, God bless her, she lasted in corrections a whole 4 days.

At my county hospital, the have a unit called "ward D". for detention. The prison ward in the acute care facility. I found it a great place to work. The inmates are very possessive of their nurse and protect you at all times.

Either do some intense studying, or change the contract. Read the links I have sent you.
Barbara

usually the inmate who is in for a sex crime is isolated from the regular population. They deserve care as well. They are paying for their crime, the only problem is you do not realize their crime is of a compulsive nature. The compulsion goes away when they are in prision and are medicated with the right drugs. The drug wellbutrin breaks compulsive behaviors, that it is also called zyban and used to quit smoking. You are too judgemental to be in corrections.
You have homework to do.

Just remember. everyone deserves care. In my years I have taken care of rapists, drunks, Cop killers, and other criminals as well, even Republicans. They all deserve Care.

Just Chant silently

A patient is a Patient,,,, a patient is a patient.

]Originally posted by teeituptom [/i]
Just remember. everyone deserves care. In my years I have taken care of rapists, drunks, Cop killers, and other criminals as well, even Republicans. They all deserve Care.

Your KIdding, Republicans Too?

You're a better man than me !

Barbara

The American Nurses Association has a publication of ethics for correctional nurses. This was given to me years ago by my first D.O.N. in corrections. It is still available.

As a nurse, I provide the best care I can for every patient in a nonjudgemental manner without prejudice or discrimination.

I know that most cases are plea bargained and the information regarding "crimes" is not accurate in most cases. I am very busy and do not have time to look into the records of crimes for each patient and personally, none of this information is of interest to me. You would only have access to the crime the person was incarcerated for. All other behavior of the incarcerated or free world patient is unknown to me. Many criminals are not caught in the act and remain in the free world. Some are lawyers, managers, correctional officers, automotive repair persons or even nurses.

Punitive, rude or judgemental behavior on the part of correctional and nursing staff in a prison or a jail is never appropriate. At times, limits need to be set in a fair manner according to policies and procedures with any behavioral problem encountered with any patient.

Hope this helps.

You have pre judged everything. I am coming from a very expereince place, as a Forensic Nurse Specialist. From your posts you have no business in corrections. You just want to travel and make good money. You stated so.
You will not last a week in Corrections. Do I label patients like drug seekers, no I do not. You are saying patients get on your nerves before you even get there.

You seem to forget, these are people's loved ones. Their family members trust us to keep them well till the state says they can come home.

there are soooooooooo many positions available to a traveler, don't limit yourself to corrections only, many high paying jobs out there. i do take care of prisoners because the ed where i work is the closest hospital. most of them are nice, they are shackled and usually have 2 guards with them. ive only asked one guy why he is incarcerated. he told me a man had messed with his son. made me feel bad for him, that could be me, someone sexually abused my son i might kill him too! i have never worked inside the prison. i think i would be too frightened to do that. good luck to you, Wendy