Correctional Nursing Pros/Con and Environment

ctcpete · Jun 28, 2015

Hi, I am recently licensed in NJ as an RN (associates). Enrolled in a BS program too through Excelsior.

Getting that first job with no experience is proving to be a challenge. I am considering correctional nursing. Anyone here in NJ doing it? Any advice is appreciated. I liked psych nursing in school and I come from the streets as a kid..I could have made many of the bad choices that the prison population made. Many of my childhood friends did. So I have empathy and street smarts..if that helps.

Any job leads in NJ would be appreciated as well. I just completed Excelsior's ADN program and helped many students. I am kind of that way naturally I guess. I could use a hand now. Thanks.

f1j1nurse · Jun 29, 2015

4th year in corrections, and I can't dream of doing anything else. I did quit for about 5 months to go work on med/surg and I would never set foot in hospital nursing again unless maybe in the ER.

ctcpete · Oct 27, 2015

Update..just finishing my orientation with correct care solutions at my local county jail. I found a full time job at a local rehab/long term care facility..hired for sub acute at a low rate (foot in the door at least..going on 3 months). Floating to other floors..very hard and frustrating at many levels, can't wait to get out but for now it's a job and building to that 6 months or a year of experience everyone wants to hire me.

In contrast I love the jail. Much easier, slower paced (my heart isn't in my mouth the entire shift at least ha ha). Did vitals on a few guys who were on the front page the previous day. Interesting if you like psych stuff. And addiction (another interest for me) is a huge factor with many inmates. I would go with them full time but I want more experience with sub acute etc first.

Signing up for BSN school. WGU or Univ. of TX at Arlington. Good luck all.

Sese1979 · Oct 31, 2015

Ctcpete, if your looking for a state correctional job apply through rutgers . The pay is low but benefits are great plus your backed by a union. I just got an offer from C.R.A.F !

cafe_run · Jul 13, 2016

Which travel agency offers the best benefits for Correctional Nursing? After 20 years of Hospital, I was just hired FT evenings by Wexford.

yesiam1970 · Aug 27, 2016

I totally agree that all prison employees should keep knowing what inmates are incarcerated for on a need to know basis... If u dont need to know then leave it that way. I was wondering if someone was going to bring up that very important point. I worked as a correctional officer 1 yr while in college, and i was able to mk my own judgements on inmates by their actions/attitides in prison, not what they did or who they were in the "free world". A cpl times i asked, "What in the world are you doing in a place like this?" ....because they were so different than the general population, in regards to being clean cut, respectful, with nice middle class families. But besides those few, i didnt care. What i cared about was the person they were locked up, but i didnt TRUST any of them. Learning from the advice my other coworkers would give in diff ways inmates will try n manipulate/intimidate officers was critical. Some things seem innocent enough or have hidden intentions, that unless you are aware of can be ways inmates play mind games n gain power. They are like little kids... Whine n complain about anything n everything, try to get away with things when you're not looking, and lie when they caught. And never be so high n mighty as a nurse, to think u are so much better than them..... Because, if u are honest with yourself, u will realize that in some cases, the only difference between u and them, is the simple fact that u havent been caught. If u disagree, then answer if u hv done any of these things (that can result in being arrested, although u may be found not guilty later, ur still.arrested regardless):

1. Drank too much n drove? (buzzed driving is drunk driving). Open container or drinking a beer while driving? Come on, dont lie!

2. Taken a friend's prescription meds ( when u were in need, but didn"t hv insurance to go to doctor? Pain meds, muscle relaxers, ADD meds to stay up all night studying for finals, anxiety meds...now imagine u hv 2-3 in ur pocket when u get pulled over n searched. They are controlled substance not prescribed to u and not in identifiable containers.

3. Carried around a pill organizer w gmas random meds that was left in ur car n or in purse in case she needs them?

4. Taken anything... Ate a donut. Or drank a soda in walmart n "forgot" to pay for it? Taken paper, pens, box paper clips, made personal copies at work wo permission?

5. Had non registered gun in ur car for protection wo concealed gun license?

6. Been in possession of switch blade type knife w blade longer than 4"?

7. Bought fireworks n county n drove back into city limits?

8. No car insurance?

9. Refusal to take breath test/sobriety roadside tests?

10. Been shopping with someone who stole something, even though u might not have known or had anything to do with it? Guilt by association.

11. Been in fight w ur boy/girlfriend with pushing, slapping, pinching or threatening to do something verbally even though u didnt actually do it? Assult n battery

12. Had someone hook up "free cable" for small fee?

13. Opened someone elses mail wo permission?

14. Put mail that got delivered by accident to ur house in someone elses mail box or left note? Illegal unless ur postman. For real... look it up.

15. Used gmas handicap hangtag for good parking spot but gma wasnt with u?

Melanie6 · Sep 25, 2016

I've been in corrections for 6 yrs. it's not for someone who is easily offended. They will call you names behind the walls, throw things, strip naked, anything to get a rise out of you. I've seen a lot happen over these yrs, you have to be ready for anything, and wow did I learn!!!!!!!! Things I never thought I'd do and I enjoy it. I'm a dentist, OB/GYN, psych, ER, urgent care, family, ortho, nurse! It's like an urgent care clinic. IVs , addicts, overdoses, detox, you see everything but it's awesome. It's nothing you'll ever see anywhere elseâ¤ï¸

Slhengy · Jan 10, 2017

And never be so high n mighty as a nurse, to think u are so much better than them..... Because, if u are honest with yourself, u will realize that in some cases, the only difference between u and them, is the simple fact that u havent been caught. If u disagree, then answer if u hv done any of these things (that can result in being arrested, although u may be found not guilty later, ur still.arrested regardless):
1. Drank too much n drove? (buzzed driving is drunk driving). Open container or drinking a beer while driving? Come on, dont lie!
2. Taken a friend's prescription meds ( when u were in need, but didn"t hv insurance to go to doctor? Pain meds, muscle relaxers, ADD meds to stay up all night studying for finals, anxiety meds...now imagine u hv 2-3 in ur pocket when u get pulled over n searched. They are controlled substance not prescribed to u and not in identifiable containers.
3. Carried around a pill organizer w gmas random meds that was left in ur car n or in purse in case she needs them?
4. Taken anything... Ate a donut. Or drank a soda in walmart n "forgot" to pay for it? Taken paper, pens, box paper clips, made personal copies at work wo permission?
5. Had non registered gun in ur car for protection wo concealed gun license?
6. Been in possession of switch blade type knife w blade longer than 4"?
7. Bought fireworks n county n drove back into city limits?
8. No car insurance?
9. Refusal to take breath test/sobriety roadside tests?
10. Been shopping with someone who stole something, even though u might not have known or had anything to do with it? Guilt by association.
11. Been in fight w ur boy/girlfriend with pushing, slapping, pinching or threatening to do something verbally even though u didnt actually do it? Assult n battery
12. Had someone hook up "free cable" for small fee?
13. Opened someone elses mail wo permission?
14. Put mail that got delivered by accident to ur house in someone elses mail box or left note? Illegal unless ur postman. For real... look it up.
15. Used gmas handicap hangtag for good parking spot but gma wasnt with u?

I haven't done any of those things that you listed and I don't think it is fair to assume that any nurse has or compare us to inmates. That is stretching it a bit.

Nurse behind the bar · Jan 11, 2017

Went I start my career Ã s Ã nurse 12 years ago, I was in the delivery room for 2 years and ever since I work in a correctional center for almost 10 years! Love my job and wil never go back to hospital!!

I would love to try in the US!!!!