[bighousenurse]

Ok, we've established the negatives on the subject of correctional nursing...how about some of the positives for some of these newbies that are thinking about going into our field? We've all heard the saying, "Nurses eat their young", let's not forget where we started and change some of that sour thinking that got poured all over us when we began...

[sirI]

Most of the inmates were greatly appreciative of the care I provided. Ones where I dx a certain dz entity, were amazed that someone finally "listened" to their complaints.

Have to say that some of the dz processess were interesting and had I not been in correctional medicine, I would not have been witness to them.

Having the opportunity to actually educate regarding dz process and see improvements - due to the controlled environment.

Knowing that I did make a difference.

[VegRN]

I have a few...

1. Not being ordered around by the pt or the family because of some "customer service" model of care that the hospital created. It's a prison, not a dayspa and it is well understood that you will get what you need and that it is not necessarily equal to what you want.
2. Real gratitude for the care I provide. Oddly enough the inmates tend to be more grateful for their care than the general population. Maybe because so many of them never actually had real health care until they ended up behind bars.
3. Lots of humor. Inmates say the darnedest things. Like trying to get their health care worked around their tv schedule, faking sz's, CP,being unconscious or other symptoms. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't laugh at least a few times at the level of ridiculousness of things that inmates do.
4. Actual consequences if they are being disrespectful towards staff. Yelling, swearing and being unruly is not tolerated. Sometimes, it seems that prison is a glorified day care. There is punishment involved and they know it.
5. A wide array of health issues that you won't often see in a hospital or nursing home setting.

That's all I can think of for now

[EarthChild1130]

Thanks for starting this thread...I went straight from school to psychiatric nursing, and now I work in a medical unit (and pick up as much in the psych ward as I can LOL)...I would really love to try out correctional nursing too...thanks again!!

[Sheri257]

Originally Posted by VegRN

Not being ordered around by the pt or the family because of some "customer service" model of care that the hospital created. It's a prison, not a dayspa and it is well understood that you will get what you need and that it is not necessarily equal to what you want.

Actual consequences if they are being disrespectful towards staff. Yelling, swearing and being unruly is not tolerated. Sometimes, it seems that prison is a glorified day care. There is punishment involved and they know it.

These are the biggest positives, IMO ... you don't have to put up with a lot of crap you're expected to tolerate in the hospital.

[texascowgirl]

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

Originally Posted by VegRN

I have a few...

1. Not being ordered around by the pt or the family because of some "customer service" model of care that the hospital created. It's a prison, not a dayspa and it is well understood that you will get what you need and that it is not necessarily equal to what you want.
2. Real gratitude for the care I provide. Oddly enough the inmates tend to be more grateful for their care than the general population. Maybe because so many of them never actually had real health care until they ended up behind bars.
3. Lots of humor. Inmates say the darnedest things. Like trying to get their health care worked around their tv schedule, faking sz's, CP,being unconscious or other symptoms. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't laugh at least a few times at the level of ridiculousness of things that inmates do.
4. Actual consequences if they are being disrespectful towards staff. Yelling, swearing and being unruly is not tolerated. Sometimes, it seems that prison is a glorified day care. There is punishment involved and they know it.
5. A wide array of health issues that you won't often see in a hospital or nursing home setting.

That's all I can think of for now

[nancykday]

the automy to work not having to be secong guessed all the time. The unpredictability of the job , no day, no inmate is ever the same. Life is never boring in corrections. The ability to have the best assessmen skills to determine the situation that presents. And the inmates, they do say the darndest things. The ability to control the situation and not put up the bulls*** that is found in other jobs. You can call out the malinger and help the truely ill. And the ability to sharpenyour nursing skills in every field of nursing from birth to death, psych to OB. Every stage and field of nursing is covered. All this ad no customer satisfaction surveys are involved and is the only segment of healthcare that is immune to recessin and corporate downsizing

[Sheri257]

Originally Posted by texascowgirl

also..........almost zero liability

I wouldn't say that ...

"Medical Staff Sued for Inmate's Death"

http://www.setexasrecord.com/news/19...-inmates-death

[nancykday]

Nurse's get sued for negligence frequently. Does that make all nuses incompetent? The hospital ER that the i/m went to is also being sued. Does this mean that all ER nurses are bad ? IMHO medical mistakes happen everywhere and everday. Based on our system of justice, these indiduals are innocnet until proven guilty. We are only geting one side of the story and judgment should not be passed until all facts are in. I am not saying that is right if true, I just saying that I am not passing judgment until all facts are in evidence.

[KellieNurse06]

I used to have a nurse in my home years ago who was a correctional nurse prior..I always asked her if she was scared being in there .......she used to tell me.." No, you are pretty safe because you know where all the bad people are" ... I have remembered that ever since she told me...and wow does it hold the truth! I may try to pursue correctional nursing later down the road if I have a chance.....it sounds really interesting....