[chubbsrn]

so, I have this job offer at a correctional facility for men ages 18-25. I'm so excited and have been waiting long for this oppurtnity to arise....but, now that it's here I'm hearing a lot of negative feedback...and it's really starting to get to me....Can someone please help me....How is it REALLY being a young female rn in this field? Is it dangerous? what types of inmates/situations can arise from being a female rn?? are we protected as nurses in such facilities?? Any reasurring information or any info at all would be greatly appreciated...I know there must me millions of female rns is this field if anyone is willing to talk to me that would be great....If anyone is willing to give me some info of what to expect during the interview process, I'm all ears!!

[shell911rn]

To be a young female RN in this field working with male (and female prisoners, too) is to be open to cat-calls and being stared down like a piece of meat. And sometimes your ears are party to conversations that will disgust you. Young female RN's (and really, any new staff of any age or gender) are sometimes looked at as being vulnerable by inmates and fellow staff alike, so the inmates will try to manipulate you, while your fellow staff will probably try to protect you. But if you remain professional and set boundaries with the inmates (just like you do with children) and do your job, you will be fine. This may involve telling them that you don't appreciate being talked to or stared at. They may or may not listen and custody/officers may or may not back you up. Make sure you find out what your rights are during orientation so you are able to defend yourself even if no one else does.

Is it a dangerous environment? It can be...But the hospital environment can be dangerous, too. The difference is you may have to respond to riots, but if you remember to wait until the officers have secured the scene for your safety and that you are always aware of what is going on around you and to not find yourself alone with an inmate or with an inmate behind you without you knowing about it, it will go a long way towards keeping you safe. I worked in an emergency room before I worked in corrections and there were situations in the ER that left me probably more scared than I've ever felt in the prison setting. At least in the prison/jail setting, you know you are dealing with criminals. On the outside walking on the streets or the people you are caring for in the hospital, you don't know who is or isn't a criminal. So when you look at it that way, you actually feel a little safer in the prison or jail setting. And at my institution, we wear personal alarms and whistles. I sometimes wish I had a personal alarm for when I'm out in public. Don't be naive, though, to think that the officers will always be present to protect you. There's usually not enough of them to be all places at all times. Be aware of your surroundings just as you would be if you were walking down a dark street at night by yourself. Be cautious, but not paranoid. And find out what safety measures the facility employs. They may even have cameras keeping an eye on what is going on within the facility.

[hisblueskies]

As far as backup with correctional officer goes - when I am with the general population I feel comfortable - there is always a corrections officer around if I need one. When I have to go to segregation to do treatments or pass pills a correction officer is with me as I gofrom cell to cell. These guys and gals are wonderful - they usually won't tolerate any prisoner giving me a hard time. For the most part I have been treated with politeness and respect from the prisoners - of course you will find more than your fair share of bad apples.

[deyo321]

My experience is similar to hisblueskies. The correctional officers I work with are wonderful. From some of the posts I've read that is not always the case. I consider myself extremely lucky on that count. I really cant say enough about them. Just maintain a professional attitude at all times, and never engage in banter. Treat every inmate equally. Do not divulge personal information. Safety first.
I love correctional nursing. I laugh every day. When I worked geri LTC there were times when I would leave work in tears because I felt I was unable to provide the type of care I wanted to due to staffing, work load etc. The cattiness of that many women under that much stress is something I do not miss. The autonomy of correctional nursing works well for me. You need to have top notch assessment skills and a highly tuned BS meter. I'm not sure I would reccomend it to a new grad. That's just my opinion though. Mostly because the inmates can sense insecurity and weakness and will try to play you. And 99% of us ARE insecure as new grads. I remember that first time the aide stuck her head out the door and said in a panic, "we need the nurse" and I looked over my shoulder toward the desk and then realized that nurse was me!!!
So did you take the job?