Big House Jitters

[BaseballNut]

I just signed transfer paperwork to move from my outpatient psych med clinic job of 3 yrs to the states (Nevada) Dept. of Corrections. The new position is 12 hour day shift in the Mental health unit. While I am looking forward to this new opportunity, it is my first time in a corrections setting and I am feeling quite a bit of "nervous anticipation". I have been around awhile, ER, Med/Surg, out pt psych.....but this is a whole different animal. Anyone I've told responds with "I hope you like it", as if I won't! I really don't know what to expect. I have read the forums here and of course spoke with my interview panel, it has just become very "real" now that I've committed. I am a big guy, 6'00, 215 lbs, but I can honestly say safety and security is one of my primary concerns. Also , the boundary issues. I keep reading how inmates try to "play you" for favors, special attention, contraband.....I just keep thinking about how to be firm and consistent without angering someone to the point they want to "gas" me or put a pencil in my neck!!! LOL(Kinda).

Any advice or encouragement is welcome.

[mystique01]

I am about to start working at a correctional facility myself. How is it going for you?

[Buyer beware, BSN]

People either love it or hate it. Usually there is no on the fense about it.

I personally hated it. After a while I started to feel claustrophobic like one of the clientele.

The kicker and inducement for me to head on out was when a inmate not thirty minutes apart went from an orange jump suit after shattering the jaw of fellow prisoner#1 to a red dangerous fellow jumpsuit where he promptly shattered the jaw of prisoner #2.

In both instances after the fact he was semi-coherently mumbling about they deserved it because they were coming on to him.

After deciding that this jailbird thought too much of himself, I packed up my stuff, left, and as I was walking to my car praised Jesus for my liberation.

But some people like it??????????????

[Orca, ADN, ASN, RN]

As long as you act professionally, you will be fine. Inmates might not like everything that you tell them, but as long as you are respectful and consistent, you won't have any issues with them. The bulk of succeeding in corrections is how you carry yourself. Some of my most successful employees are diminutive females.