[Sheri257]

Originally Posted by Tampa RN

New nurses, avoid corrections until you have solid nursing skills.

I too am a new grad and I agree that previous RN hospital experience would be ideal but ... in California there's a waiting list for state corrections jobs because the pay is so great. I'm in my 40's and I wasn't going to lose a year's worth of better pay ... not to mention retirement benefits that I can't get anywhere else just to get more hospital experience.

And, with the waiting list, I wasn't going to take the chance of openings not being there later on either. When jobs do open up, you have to grab them because they might not be there later on. I did work as a student nurse in hospitals during school and, as far as I was concerned, that was enough.

Quite frankly, the reason I got hired over dozens of veteran hospital nurses was because I chose instead to work at another privately contracted prison while I was waiting to get hired by the state. The state prison I now work for was also the medical hub for my previous employer so it also probably helped that I was familiar with their system.

They didn't care that much about whether I had previous RN hospital experience... they cared more about the fact that I could handle inmates and the corrections environment more than anything else because a fair number of hospital nurses end up not liking corrections work.

[hlfpnt]

What's the average pay & benefits like for correctional nursing?

[bighousenurse]

Please put a state, so another nurse from that particular state can reply to your question.
Ty!

[hlfpnt]

Originally Posted by bighousenurse

Please put a state, so another nurse from that particular state can reply to your question.
Ty!

Sorry, didn't think about it (duh!)...Florida.

[STACIELPN]

I have 12 years of hospital experience and was a little concerned when I took a corrections position. I love it. It's fast paced and you see a little of everything..I work in one of the largest INS detainee prisons and find the variety exciting..of course I need to brush up on my spanish. Always remember to demand respect and to show respect. I am there for them, I don't have to be there...they do! It's hard working with a bunch of macho men though...CO's. I can hold my own and I thought I would be intimidated at first..but not to have to kiss butt (like in the hospital for customer service) is nice. Sometimes everything you do still isn't enough.

[Monica RN,BSN]

couldnt have said it better.
also..........almost zero liability


I have heard that correctional nursing is actually one of the HIGHEST liability fields of nursing.. why would you think it carries ZERO LIABILITY?????????

[weirdRN]

The inmate population has nothing to do but think and file frivolous lawsuits. Liability is high. Consider that the people you are dealing with are manipulative, and after a fast buck with no work behind it.

Correctional Nursing has been a positive change for me in the respect that I am able to walk away without guilt. I have learned to say No and not feel bad about myself. I give them my personal best while I am at work, but as soon as I am off the time clock, I couldn't begin to tell you anything about any specific inmate- unless it was REALLY important. I put in my eight and go home.

Correctional Nursing may or may not be good for new nurses depending on their confidence level and ability. Specifically, their ability to self train and motivate. Often you are in situations where you must think on your feet and act independant of any guidance other than your own moral compass.

Since starting my job, I have seen a few nurses come and go. Most went because of the toxicity of a few of the nurses working there now. Others went because they felt they were not able to care as much as they wanted about the people they were supposed to be taking care of. I find new grads get a bit of everything. They are able to learn time management, learn assessment skills, learn triage skills, learn people skills. I believe that no matter what specialty you choose in nursing, it is always going to be Basically Nursing with a few added skill sets. Med Surg is all well and fine. You will see a lot of kinds of patients in a short amount of time.

No matter where you are, You will grow exponentially the first year you are out of school. Whether you choose to grow on a med/surg floor or in a prison is up to you.