Can a passive nurse survive corrections?

kmruddrn · Jun 24, 2007

ABOSLUTELY!!! Correctional nursing is my specialty I am 30 years old, been in correction 6 out of ten years in nursing. So it's safe to say I've seen a lot a WHOLE lot!!! Not many nurses make it in corrections as long as I have. The numbers will show it's pretty much been what I've done most of my adult life. I have been a LPN for 3 years and a RN for 3 years in corrections. I have worked maximum (5.5 years) and supermax (6 months) prisons. The "worse of the worse". They are generally abusive and assaultive toward us, other inmates, or themselves. I now work in a 23 hour lock down institution housing inmates that just can't make it in society...or prison. So they don't care what they do or how they act. I am here to tell you now--they will try every manipulative malingering trick in the book!! You have to be professional and attentive ALWAYS. They may be criminals, but they are human beings and our facilities in which we work and our state in which we are licensed pays us and expects us to provide medical services to this population in which our code stands for. Trust me also, a policy and procedure book for the department of corrections will be 40 times bigger than that of any acute care facility anywhere!! AND the inmates know every word!! No it is not for everybody. Correctional nursing is like any other specialty...you either love it or hate it, you better know your job well to do well, and as long as you remember you will always learn something new everyday and continue to grow, you will be fine. Yes, most correctional nurses are "rough" around the edges. Or so we may seem. It is part of what I like to call the "finesse" of being a correctional nurse!! Thoses who work it know what I mean. Fact is we are the nurses who still follow the Florence Nightingale style of nursing. A role model environment on which our actions can make or break us. Lashing out at an inmate only brings you down to their level, is unprofessional, and will not stand in any court in this land. We aren't there to judge them--that has already happened. No I'm not liberal, far from it. BUT if you want to make it in corrections for many years you must remember not to let the inmates get you to their level, never fall pray to their tricks--and know that your only job is to give them only what they need, nothing more. Nothing more. No more press ganey reports on which people that know nothing about your profession get to decide how good of a job your doing, no more "would you like fries with that?" kind of nursing. Not that being a helpful nurse is bad, I think what corporate nursing is trying to do to help people is wonderful. Just not always rational with patient ratios sky rocketing for nurses and resourses falling to an all time low. You can actually be a nurse in a correctional setting, a great one who is autonomous and confident. Just try it--do your job above and beyond anything--realize they have criminal minds with nothing but time to think up ways mess with your mind if you don't maintain your professionalism--and also realize that no matter how well you do, how professional you are, some of these guys/gals just lack the reasonability/personality to be anymore than childish, rude, manipulative, malingering, and they will test you everyday forever!! They will sue you because you accidentally forgot to bring them their dry skin MD ordered cream stating you are "negligent" and providing malpractice. Rediculous as that may sound, it is an everyday reality for us prison nurses!! Most likely they are lashing out at us because they are mad or upset at someone else. Generally they like us, and respect us. In a prison environment of 1000--1200 inmates in which I've worked, generally less than 100 are our "frequent flyers" and mad manipulators toward medical staff. That's a great statistic if you ask me. Except on the day they all decide to start! Being laid back may work to your advantage as long as you keep in the back of your mind that being laid back with your approach may help you deal with their behaviors...but remember they aren't your friend. If you do anything outside of policy for an inmate (I mean even the smallest of things you would normally disregard--say give one a band aid without charting it, if that is your facilities policy) than he/she's got you. I'm here to tell you right now that inmates know policy and procedure and constitutional laws better than any of us ever will, and believe me also that they will get you on the "hook" real quick and snitch you out for a pack of ramen noddles and you left without a license looking like a dumba** nurse that fell for an inmate. So don't let your laid back style get you to that point. Go to work, do your job, go home. Realize two things while your there---If they make you mad, you get to go home, they don't, so you're already one up on them...retaliation is never necessary for foul acting inmates. #2 they let you go home. Yes, I said it THEY LET YOU GO HOME. I don't care if you work in a facility where 500 inmates rec together, or they're locked under the prison with minimal movement...they let you go home. So be professional, enjoy your job, because inmate's say the darndest things, you'll laugh everyday (I promise!) and remember safety and professionalism is key. If you have any questions, I'm glad to help. If you're curious and want to hear a few good prison nurse stories...my cup runneth over!! I've got 1000's and will share...of course within hippa regs. So go for it! BUT NEVER, NEVER TRUST AN INMATE :nono: We aren't there to make friends. It can ruin your life. I've seen it more times than I care to remember. Good luk to you in any decision you make!!

VegRN · Jun 25, 2007

First of all, there are far easier ways to make more money, get used to taking more than one pt and build your skills. Correctional nursing is hard work and your skills should be solid before you start there.

At least you know that you are a passive individual and want to gain a thicker skin. To make it in corrections, you can't be afraid to say the word "no" and will need to be able to use it often, in its many shapes and forms both with your words and your actions. They say that 93% of communication is non verbal but, in corrections, it's 99% non verbal. Those inmates are going to be watching everything you do, the way you act, your level of confidence and intelligence. There are going to be some that are going to play you to no end and you have to be able put a stop to it. Follow policies and procedures always! Never veer from them, ever. Treat the inmates with respect but one must always keep a professional distance, a distance that is much further away than you would have with a sweet old lady as a pt.

I would say that a passive nurse can't survive in corrections. You will have to become assertive fast in order to make it there. Is there something that interests you about corrections? From your post, it doesn't seem like it so I wouldn't recommend it to you. How about agency nursing? That would provide you with the experience and money you are looking for.

Good luck

jamangel · Jun 25, 2007

I'm sure you can do it aggression doesn't mean it's something you could be great at. Just know the rules AND follow them. It is true that inmates are very manipulative so following the rules is very important. Just like kmrudd rn said, they've already been to court or are going to court so they don't need a judge or jury. They are still human and deserved to be treated as such even if they don't act like it. I've been doing corrections for about 5 years and I've worked it FT, PT and now PT/PRN and I love it. MY husband is the one who's uncomfortable. I've done prisons but I prefer jails.

MadisonsMomRN, BSN, RN · Jun 25, 2007

My demeanor is a lot like yours. I thought I was not cut out for corrections but I do fine. I don't take crap off of any of the inmates. I tend to block them out and not let them bother me. I am professional and treat them with respect, keep a distance, and go on about my business.

I am still trying to learn how manipulative they can be. I work in the infirmary and they do just about anything to get in there because it is air conditioned.

Good luck... give it a try!

ETA - I agree with VegRN... you can't be afraid to say no. You HAVE to be able to say no to them. They are there for a reason.

kmruddrn · Jun 25, 2007

Correctional nursing is hard work and your skills should be solid before you start there.

After that big huge thread I left, I did leave this out. It is so true. You better have a great foundation in nursing and know your stuff. You need to make sure your facility offers a good training including games inmate's play, CPR and First Aid, gang related violence, etc. Correctional nurses unfortunately get a bad rep in some places. We can't work anywhere else, we are at the bottom of the barrell, blah, blah. Good luck to those who want to try it out with that attitude! You better follow your skills and training because when you are in medical and an inmate is rushed to you bleeding out from the "buck fifty" his rival gang cell partner gave him walking back from chow--not only are you #1 responding to a medical emergency alone with no doctor and #2 keen on what just happened as a security threat on so many different levels--you are now a day in the life of a correctional nurse!! I know this senario all too well because is happened to me. One of many times quick nursing judgement saved someone's life, and my job. So be cautious to that, and know that emergencies will happen. Better know what to do.

VegRN · Jun 26, 2007

I work in the infirmary and they do just about anything to get in there because it is air conditioned.

hahahhaha:rotfl:

luv4nursing · Jun 29, 2007

I really appreciate your thought out responses. I am a fairly new LPN (1.5 years). I feel confident in most skills, but I havent used many of them on a regular basis since Ive worked in home care. Home care does require you to be able to think and make decisions on your own bc you are the only one there and there isnt anybody to ask what to do. But at the same time you dont learn how to handle a patient load or prioritize care much. Im interested in corrections mainly bc I need more money(I can work less hours and make more while I finish school), but I do also honestly find it very interesting, and I am interested to know if I can handle the challenge. I think if I am able to handle this, it will help me get past my fear of working in a facility bc if I can handle corrections, I should be able to handle the nursing home or hospital. I feel that the only way I would get a decent training/orientation would be at the hospital and they dont hire many LPNs-plus my schedule isnt very flexible bc of school. The nursing home I know for a fact orients you for a few days and throws you to the wolves. It seems like just about every area is sink or swim so it seems kinda like you have to "just do it". If I end up doing corrections, Ill definitely be back to share my experience! :)

Sheri257 · Jul 4, 2007

To me, at least, passive personality or whatever has nothing to do with it. In the end, just follow your objective assessments.

Most inmates are respectful. Sure, some try to take advantage ... especially since where I work we're under court order to deliver care so they think they can get away with anything but ....

I just do my examination and let my objective observations determine what I do. You can pretty much tell who's really sick and who's not. If they claim it's an emergency but none of the assessment data is showing that then I act accordingly ... maybe set up an MD appointment in a couple of weeks just to cya.

Some are trying to get money before they're paroled so they'll claim this or that. Just follow protocol ... it's pretty simple.

To me the real question is if you're afraid. Because if they think you're scared then, they'll definitely try to take advantage of that.

Lawsuit threats and lawsuits themselves don't bother me ... if they want to sue, go ahead. For crying out loud ... they're convicts. Maybe because I've had past court experience in my previous career but, to me at least, it's not that big of a deal. Go ahead ... sue me ... I'm not worried about what the judge will do.

ex1140 · Jul 13, 2007

corrections pays much more (thru agency). Im going to give it a shot, but I want to know if I will be ok. Im not the tell it like it is, speak my mind, wont take ish off anyone type. Im more laid back and easygoing and slightly nonconfrontational. Do you think I can survive corrections? ....and possibly it will help me grow a thicker skin which all will come in handy in the future.

hmm...I have worked corrections for a year and six months and it has not changed me and I am "laid back, easygoing, and slightly nonconfrontational", and I am highly respected by all my coworkers and the inmates that I treat when you give respect that's what you get.

Nurses must maintain a professional demeanor regardless of where they are working. And be assertive no matter where they are working. If you should be hired as a correctional nurse you will be just that...not an officer...too many nurses forget that it is not their job to order inmates around. That's why many have been attacked or extremely insulted by inmates. If you want to be a correctional nurse because you think that it will expand your skills, and be helpful at this point in your life then great...perhaps it will, but don't expect to be anything more than a nurse once you enter a compound because that's what the inmates or should I state patients will expect.

ex1140 · Jul 13, 2007

First of all, there are far easier ways to make more money, get used to taking more than one pt and build your skills. Correctional nursing is hard work and your skills should be solid before you start there.

I agree...many people think that correctional nursing is easy...but it is not and quite unpredictable. You will see things that you wont see in noncorrectional settings and I don't mean good things. One minute things might be good and the next minute all hell is breaking loose and you have to be prepared. She is right there are easier ways to earn money if that's your goal.

MadisonsMomRN, BSN, RN · Jul 17, 2007

hahahhaha:rotfl:

I take it you have seen this too... I am sure you have. The number one thing is chest pain but they usually get sent back unless we see a reason to observe. The second is vomiting and abdominal pain. They say they vomit and they hurt really bad but when they get in there its a different story. There vitals are totally normal and they are laying peacefully in bed in no distress at all. You can't let them see you though then the pain starts in again... :rolleyes: