correctional nurse?????

ex1140 · Jun 3, 2006

Hi,

I work for a reception center inmates constantly coming and going

and yes, many are very dangerous...killers, child molesters, and drug dealers...I've read many files.

I don't think this type of nursing is for everyone...you will have to

be able to treat these people as patients first and inmates second.

This not easy for many nurses and it gets them in to trouble...inmates

plotting against them you name it...

I treat my patients with respect...I know they are prisoners, but

I don't remind them of it everytime I'm with them. I am not there

to judge them...that is for God to do.

military spouse · Jun 4, 2006

Hi,
I work for a reception center inmates constantly coming and going
and yes, many are very dangerous...killers, child molesters, and drug dealers...I've read many files.
I don't think this type of nursing is for everyone...you will have to
be able to treat these people as patients first and inmates second.
This not easy for many nurses and it gets them in to trouble...inmates
plotting against them you name it...
I treat my patients with respect...I know they are prisoners, but
I don't remind them of it everytime I'm with them. I am not there
to judge them...that is for God to do.

Well said!

sampaul1966 · Jun 5, 2006

I work withina secure hospital rather than a prison although a high percentage of the patients arrive here via the court system. The way to look at it is if people's crimes/behaviour is connected to their mental state then any treatment that improves their mental state should decrease their chance of re-offending. That's how its supposed to work anyway !

acynicalnurse · Jun 5, 2006

Hi

I studied mental health with a friend who works in corrections and she felt judged when she stated where she worked and in some cases was unfortunately.

More interesting was what she said about her work place.

She works independantly and has to uses all her assessment skills to maintain inmate health (she assesses whether an imate's health status requires hospitalization) That is with standing orders available and her clinical jugdement her only guide

She considered it the safest place to work cos she always had two guards when ever she worked with the inmates (May be different depending on the prision policies and type of prison)

She was promoted from general Nurse to clinical nurse due to her level of independant practice

She mentioned however she had been reported to the board by Dr's, Guards, and inmates if they believed she did anything wrong though.

She acknowledged that she had to deal with a lot of mental health and addicition issues in her work more so than physical issues.

Interestingly she said for inmates these issues were exacerbated when a inmate left the prison

While she seemed use to her work and loved it she was very clear that inmates acknowledged that she treated them with some level of respect so they reciprocated in that way but others were not so when they treated pts so they never lasted long. She completed her mental health and found it infinitly valuable in her judgements in her clinical treatments.

Personally i would find it very stressful and i also feel for nurses who work with child molesters and in domestic violence that would be a job i could never do and would never put myself in that situation

Cheers

a cynical nurse

White Shoes · Jun 5, 2006

Hi. My husband used to be a corrections officer for a medium security prison. I considered applying for a nursing position there... until one night they had a riot, burnt down 3 buildings and took hostages- which fortunately, some other brave inmates happened to release so there were no innocent deaths. (The few heroic inmates had to be transfered to other facilities for protection of their own lives after that.)

No, I wouldn't even consider working in the prison system now.

White Shoes

spirit11 · Jun 6, 2006

thanks, this sounds really interesting, I was thinking about this until...I heard that some of the nurses that work in Georgia felt unsafe.

spirit11

nurse1972 · Jun 7, 2006

I've recently started working at a state prison complex in my area. There are a total of 3 prisons ranging from medium security to pre-release status. I've worked in both the dispencery (clinic) and the infirmary (hospital). I loved it after the first shift. I have not been scared or frightened thus far and I have asked several other nurses if they have ever had a problem and not one of them has ever had problems. Some of them have been there for less than a year and as long as 25 years.

As for what I do.....They come in for meds and treatments through the dispencery which is more like a walk in clinic or doctors office. I take the vitals, review their meds and draw labs. Some have appointments with the doctor for "chronic clinic", where they are seen for HTN, DM, CAD and COPD.

They come to the clinic for their insulin shots and any "watch take" meds like any controled substance or antibiotic for MRSA. The come to the dispencery for colds, cuts, allergic reactions, chest pain, rashes, clogged ears, jock itch, and ingrown toe nails. You use all your assessment skills and have a standing protocol you can use to dispense over the counter meds. You use you clinicial judgement and have a great deal of autonomy. There is a doctor present during the day and usually a PA or NP. There is a Correctional Officer (not guard, they don't like being called guards) in the room and you control how many people are in the room. There is a "grill" (locked gate) between the waiting inmates and where you are. The ratio is 1:1 and if you feel threatened in anyway you don't do it. The CO's are very good with watching over us and they don't let the inmates step out of line. An inmate can not touch you and if they do they can get 60 days in solitary.

It's not for everybody, you need a strong sense of self and good clinic background.

Good Luck-

spirit11 · Jun 7, 2006

Do you have to have experience? Do you work shift work? Nurse1972 are you in Georgia?

spirit11 · Jun 7, 2006

Do you have to have experience? Do you work shift work? Nurse1972 are you in Georgia? What is your personality like?

nurse1972 · Jun 8, 2006

I live in Maryland. CMS is the company that has the contract with the state to provide the medical providers. I work for an agency which supplies CMS with acute staffing needs, but it is pretty regular work. I plan on becoming a full time staff member with CMS after my contract is fulfilled.

I work day and evening shift which usually 7:30A-4P or 3:30-12A.

We have the 3 prisons, each with a dispensary and one which has the infirmary (hospital ward for all 3 prisons).

As for my personality.....Honestly, I'm outgoing, up beat and say what is on my mind, usually without thinking first. I have never mastered the art of being the "career RN", I don't have that finished/polished flare that some nurses do. But I've been doing it for 12 years and my patients have loved me, managers.....not so much. I don't play "corporate kiss _ss" and it has gotten me into some trouble. Basically my mouth gets me in trouble. But that is something I'm working on.

The greatest thing about nursing is the diversity it provides. The options are endless and you never know where you niche will be. I know mine isn't in LDRP, ER, OR or Peds. I can say that I loved correctional nursing from the start.

I recently purchased an article from amazon.com about correctional nursing. I'll send it to you if you are interested. (don't pay the $10 to download it from amazon, it wasn't worth $10 but none the less it was insightfull.

Take care-

Dfortin8 · Jun 10, 2006

Thanks for the posts, I was actually thinking of working in a correctional facility when I graduate next yr as a LPN. I may still consider it.