[PsychRN03]

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.

[BarbPick]

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

[PsychRN03]

Thank you for your response. I will check out the links. Actually this question is a part of my research. I have not signed any contract and in fact am still waiting to interview for any positions, but all three of the facilities I'm looking at are correctional. So at this point I have no idea what I'd be doing or where I'd be going. Also, I wanted to make it clear my concerns are not about the average criminal (thief, drugs, assault, DWI, etc) but rather specifically about the serial rapist, pedophile, etc--people who will hopefully never again see the other side of a prison yard. I may not ever work in a facility which has this type of criminal. Obviously the prison population would be something I would want to learn about during the interview process.

[BarbPick]

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.

[teeituptom]

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.

[BarbPick]

]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

[erroridiot]

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.

[PsychRN03]

I understand that prisoners are people and they deserve care. I hope I haven't conveyed anything about my personal beliefs in my previous posts that appear contrary to this. All I am wanting to know is how have people delt with feelings. If I may be judgemental for a moment, I don't believe anyone can say a patient hasn't worn on a nerve at least once in their life. How many can say they haven't said something like...ahh so and so is a med seeker; or...they are just looking for attention, etc? These are judgemental attitudes, but I don't believe it necessarily makes these nurses bad nurses, but rather, human. Are these emotional reactions appropriate? Of course not. If a person states they are in pain, they are and we do whatever we can to aleviate their pain--at least I hope I'm not incorrectly representing anyone on this. All I have been saying in these posts is that I honestly don't know how I'd react emotionally to a given criminal; I know I would treat them as is needed; but I don't know if I'd have any kind of emotional reaction with regards to the crime(s) they committe; and I won't know until the time comes--if it ever does.

erroridiot said:
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.
This is what I was kindly thinking might be the case. Who has time to bother researching what the person did on the outside world? To me it is irrelevant. I'm not there to prosecute nor defend...that the lawyer's job. I'm there to assist in the pt's treatment.

[BarbPick]

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.

[LilgirlRN]

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