Correctional Nursing - can any one tell me about it

ddunnrn · Jul 13, 2011

I can't tell you for certain about NJ Corrections, but I have 10 years recent experience in the Philadelphia Prison System, which, while it is a jail (county) rather than a prison (state), still has some of the major issues that any NJ facility would be likely to have, because the total iunmate census ran from 9-10 thousand, including about 900 females.

The first thing to assure you of is that you will generally be safe. The inmates are monitored at all times, especially in state prisons, and attacks on non-security staff are rare--mostly because they know you are there to help them. Depending on the level of security, you might never be allowed to be alone with an inmate. In my 10 years @ PPS, I only ever felt in danger when I had to deal with a few psychopaths who were very unpredictable. I was the psych nurse on the night shift, and sometimes it was difficult to change gears so quickly from desk work to dealing with psych emergencies.

There is so much information I can give you, I suggest you email me off the list @

[email protected] and I can give you my phone number if you want to discuss it.

Are you anywhere near Philadelphia that you could commute here? The prison system is almost always hiring, and I can give you lots of pointers about how the system works.

Good luck, anyways. I found correctional nursing very intersting and rewarding.

ibrn2010 · Jul 13, 2011

I started in corrections right out of school. They gave me great training and as a young female in a male facility I feel safer than I do in the hospital.

alphil · Jul 18, 2011

Hey guys i've been a lpn for 2 1/2 years , October 2010 I got my RN been working in critical care stepdown unit here in Houston , I've decided to move New Jersey in the next 6 months to be with my fiance and start my life up there , I dont want to jump into the Hospital setting anytime soon and I was thinking about working in the correctional facilties, any suggestions on how to get hired, :)) , anything will help this TEXAN , thanksss

ddunnrn · Jul 18, 2011

I can only speak for Philadelphia, which is within commuting distance of Souther NJ, The prison system here has an almost revolving door of staff coming and going (some people get "better" jobs, some just can't take corrections). Two companies contract out services for the prison, 1 for medical and 1 for psych. I have worked for both of them, and if you can put up with a little BS, it's not so bad. You''l have way more problems from your co-workers (above and below) than you'll ever have from the inmates.

Email me if you want further details.

Dave Dunn, RN

[email protected]

alphil · Jul 18, 2011

thanks dun i'll be sure to e-mail you in the future :)))

dragn2623 · Jul 19, 2011

Thanks, I wish I was closer to PA, I'm over on the coast so commuting into PA would be tough. I applied to several positions through UMDNJ, lets see if anything comes of it.... :rolleyes:

2011LPNJ29 · Jul 19, 2011

Try homecare agency;alot of the patients are longtime and when you do get hire make sure you have two cases.

tymomrn · Jul 23, 2011

Worked in a state prison for 6 months. Got along better with the inmates than I did with the staff. The inmates treat you with respect for most part. They know that you are not there to judge them. Safety was never an issue. Basically passed meds. Easy, boring.

alphil · Jul 26, 2011

hey dragon have u heard anything from umdnj , i'm thinking about applying as well :), are they even hiring ( i'm from texas so i have no idea about anything in north jersey lol ) will be moving to north jersey at the end of this yr

dragn2623 · Jul 27, 2011

hey dragon have u heard anything from umdnj , i'm thinking about applying as well :), are they even hiring ( i'm from texas so i have no idea about anything in north jersey lol ) will be moving to north jersey at the end of this yr

Hello... I have applied for a couple positions, received one rejection letter and haven't heard about the other positions. If I was you I would apply to anything in new jersey....market is pretty tight here....

alphil · Jul 27, 2011

awww man dragon thats rough man , sorry you had to go through that , hey man r u a new nurse ? I dont get north jersey RN jobs , why arent anybody hiring , in houston its not that hard to land a job as a RN in any of the main hospitals even level 1 trauma centers believe or not ( well it did get harder since last yr but stilll geez north jersey is crazyyyy man ) and in the rejection letter what do they exactly say about working corrections that disqualifies you in working with prisoners or psych pts in general ??? geeez mannn this part of the country is something else for nurses i tell ya lol