[jamangel]

i agree with all the posts. looks really doesn't matter. I've seen very attractive nurses and some supposedly not as attractive nurses thrive AND fail at performing their duties. Also, I've seen just as many older nurses's fall into the inmate trap as young ones do. So it really isn't about whether you're attractive or not, old or young. It's all about who you are. I'm not really in agreement about self-esteem always being the issue but I'm sure it has been for many.

[Peatness]

Out of curiosity, how does the pay compare to general nursing? What is a 'typical' shift for a correctional nurse? I have always been curious to know more about about working in a correctional facility.

[VegRN]

Originally Posted by docnrse

Very well said MUDWOMAN!!! No matter what you look like, you will get attention by inmates and officers. Your self esteem must be very good to survive in corrections because if you allow yourself to be flattered by the attention you will get yourself into a heap of trouble. I have seen nurses come and go by the dozens.

Dozens? Excuse my naivety but, it's that common for nurses who chose to work in corrections to fall for the flattery of inmates?

Scary

[TrudyRN]

Looks are always a factor in life, I think. Will good or bad looks keep you from getting hired? No, I don't think so, if you impress them as being a capable nurse.

[bighousenurse]

Being "nice looking" should not hinder you from getting the job you desire--in whatever field of nursing you aspire to work in. When you interview, always look your interviewers directly in the eye, it's something you'll have to be able to do when you deal with inmates anyway. If you are a timid-type of person, then corrections is really not the place for you. It's not a place to work for everyone, there is a reason they have a shortage, and this is one of them. You have to be assertive in dealing with both inmates and staff (other nurses & the officers). There is a wide variety of personalities in corrections, and being flexible is a plus because situations change daily if not hourly. How you carry yourself is what people respect. I go to work everyday with makeup on and dressing nice, I have no problem with inmates making inappropriate remarks to me.

[newtress]

Thank you Miss BigHouse for the tips about this unique type of nursing. It's nice to know that most all nurses here think along the same lines. Professionalism and very good nursing skills is far more important than a nurses appearance. This is good for me to know that the consensus is the same. I am planning on leaving the south and going back to Cali. The state is in great need of nurses for the Cal correctional facilities. And after just finishing my geriatric clinicals this week at a LTC facility, I would NOT want to do that type of nursing at all. There are pros and cons in any field or department of nursing. Oddly I find corrections isn't really addressed very much in nusing school or the community but wouldn't it be somewhat connected to a type of community nursing, or just considered strictly state/gov nursing?

[bighousenurse]

Miss Newtress, Dept. of Corrections/correctional nursing is it's own entity. Everything you learn to be a nurse is used in the DOC, along with security issues. Psych is a big skill and even if you never worked psych, you will learn it quickly from occurances and other staff nurses there. I love my job, oddly, because it is a controlled environment. I know each and every day what kind of people I will be dealing with. I don't have to please and answer to family members, just take care of business and go on with my day. I feel this is an area of nursing that is kinda a well-kept secret, LOL! Most of the inmates appreciate what we, the nurses, do for them. Yes, there is always an occasional a** to deal with, but where don't you have that and make that kind of money? When I went through nursing school they never even touched the subject of correctional nursing. What a shame.

[newtress]

BigHouseNurse, I just had to respond to your reply this evening. You make absolute sense to me. I have family members who are a psych nurse, a psychotherapist, and social workers. I have always gravitated toward what others are not interested in. My school buddies wouldn't fathom considering working in a correctional environment. But ironically as you said, I like and prefer a controlled environment and not the chaos of personality drama that I have experienced so far. It is there of course in all types of employment, but as you said, I've dealt with numerous a**** to deal with but would have like to at least be compensated for "the dealing." There was a job posting in my city here recently for RN/LPN's at the correctional facility and I went ahead and called them. She was so pleasant to speak to and said exactly what you have said " it's one of the best kept secrets of nursing" and you have backed that. On a daily basis, I don't do as well around chaos that others create for themselves and me. Just makes your job so much harder and I think more mistakes happen. So I will forge on in my pursuit and desire for the psych or correctional area of nursing. If I want it and it's there for me I will feel I've made a good choice because it "fits" me. So I'm happy to hear these encouraging words from you. There are a heck of a lot of unhappy nurses out there in so many fields of nursing. I may be odd, but I think I'd be a lot happier.

[bighousenurse]

Miss Newtress, when you said about the nice person you talked to on the phone about corrections, it sparked something else I must share with you. I have NEVER had better supervisors that I have at this point of my nursing career! Talk about super people! If you are flexible and willing to please, they will work with you when you're in a time of need. I sign up for OT, will stay into the next shift to cover when a coworker is running late, or switch a day or shift when someone needs off. They remember who is a team player, and they will take care of you, believe me. I have many times worked doubles and taken the next day off and not been charged personal time for it. Like I said, the perks and positives are there, you just have to be willing to put the time in to learn the rules and regs of institutional employment. The first year is the hardest, you get so much crammed into your brain about security, but if you're determined and have a little tenacity you can make it work. Good luck finding a good institution. There are a lot out there, along with the bad. Do your homework and make good choices. Let me know how it works for you!

[Mudwoman]

Originally Posted by bighousenurse

Miss Newtress, when you said about the nice person you talked to on the phone about corrections, it sparked something else I must share with you. I have NEVER had better supervisors that I have at this point of my nursing career! Talk about super people! If you are flexible and willing to please, they will work with you when you're in a time of need. I sign up for OT, will stay into the next shift to cover when a coworker is running late, or switch a day or shift when someone needs off. They remember who is a team player, and they will take care of you, believe me. I have many times worked doubles and taken the next day off and not been charged personal time for it. Like I said, the perks and positives are there, you just have to be willing to put the time in to learn the rules and regs of institutional employment. The first year is the hardest, you get so much crammed into your brain about security, but if you're determined and have a little tenacity you can make it work. Good luck finding a good institution. There are a lot out there, along with the bad. Do your homework and make good choices. Let me know how it works for you!

You must not work for CMS. The absolute WORSE boss I have ever had.