[NurseBenz]

when I did that type of work a regular shift was setting up meds then doing medline (passing out the pills), attending to emergencies such as sports injuries, chest pain, seizures, etc...
did intakes, blood draws. I also did a lot of education about STD's. I worked by myself with 1 guard on second shift for almost a year, some nights that was not fun but at least I stayed busy.

Renerian, at least try a shift or two you might like it.
I am planning on going back "to prison" some day.

[Jailhouse RN]

I have been a corrections nurse for 6 years and I find it interesting and entertaining. You have to have top notch assessment skills and a sense of humor. It doesn't hurt to have a little emergency nursing background. I love my job. No two days the same. As my other half says "Where else can you have your bad attitude and have it be acceptable?" Best of luck, you'll enjoy the job.

William Chapman RN

[Guppy]

Be clear on your boundaries. Treat with respect and give respect ..but do not take any garbage...name calling ect.

[apogee]

This is my first post. I am a correctional nurse. I know stuff. Been doing it for awhile. If you have questions, I will do my best to give you realistic answers.

[jailDON]

I really enjoy correctional nursing. Where I work not only does it help to have an ER background but you need psych nursing also. One of our newer nurses came from a NICU and is doing wonderfully because she was interested in psych. Also it is a safer job than most people believe. In my city you are much less likely to get hurt in the jail than in the local ER or psych hospital.

[Jailhouse RN]

I have been a corretions nurse for a few years. If you get comfortable its time to leave, if you ever think you know all the games cons can play its time to leave, if you don't have confidence in your assessment skills this is not the place for you, if you don't have very sharp emergency skills not the place. This is not the place to begin a nursing career.

[Guppy]

Originally Posted by Jailhouse RN

I have been a corretions nurse for a few years. If you get comfortable its time to leave, if you ever think you know all the games cons can play its time to leave, if you don't have confidence in your assessment skills this is not the place for you, if you don't have very sharp emergency skills not the place. This is not the place to begin a nursing career.

Well said Jailhouse RN....this is very good advice for anyone interested in Correctional Nursing..been nursing in Jail for a few years myself...

[jailDON]

I agree, it's not a place for a new nurse right out of school.

[PrisonrNurs]

Originally Posted by kimmym2

Do correctional nurses have to be RN's or can they be LPN's? I'm a new LPN grad and correctional nursing sounds interesting to me.

Hey there,

I'm an LPN and got into Corrections with only 6 months experience, to boot! It was scary at first, but I have to admit, I absolutely love it! It's true about what they say. Never the same, never boring! It can be scary though, especially when you're new. Inmates will ask you all sorts of questions, and will try to see how far they can go in getting what they want, so watch out! I was a big softie at first, but I'm learning to weed out the lies from the truth (your assessment skills have to be good) and to be tough when they want something and can't have it. They rant and rave and throw tantrums that would put any two-year old to shame. The fact is, when they do ask, they know already, what the answer is.

If you do get into corrections, best of luck! You'll love it and it will be an exciting experience, and a great learning experience, even if you learn that Corrections isn't for you.

[PrisonrNurs]

Originally Posted by renerian

I am considering picking up some corrections shifts at a woman's prison.

Can I ask what type of things you do during the day? I know I most definately do not want to do cavity searches.

renerian

Don't worry, cavity searches are a physician or NP intervention. As a nurse, you won't have to do them.