A Day In The life of a Correctional Nurs.

rjmorris · Feb 29, 2016

Don't do it. Go to an urgent care, hospital or nursing home and get some experience. Both medical and worldly.

Anirtak_ · Feb 29, 2016

It's not that bad. I'm currently PRN for a detention facility. My shift consists of a pill pass, intake screenings for the new arrestees, and handling any codes that may happen. There are always officers with me when I'm dealing with the inmates. It's easy work for a decent amount of money. Our facility starts at $19/hr. I'm in Georgia.

RNforLongTime · Feb 29, 2016

I work 3rd shift in a male correctional institution. We have about 2300 inmates. I am responsible for the inmates housed in the Infirmary and the POC(psychiatric Observation cells). Also responsible for any medical emergencies that may arise and that includes staff. Just last month one of the dietary supervisors fell out. Was in cardiac arrest. We put our AED on him, started CPR & he is now home with no ill effects.

I've also dealt with hangings, attempted murders, which those inmates are currently charged with murder. I also walk the jail and pick up sick call slips from the 9 housing units. I stuff charts for the Dr/PA lines in the am. And do Medical Release summaries for inmates that are coming up for parole/sentence completion.

Basically it's pretty easy. I went to a Corrections Nurse Training week last year. EVERY single nurse I spoke with, RN and LPN alike, said it's the easiest nursing job they've ever had and I concur.

I would however recommend getting some experience in a hospital setting. Good strong assessment skills are a MUST. Corrections Nursing isn't for everyone. There's always a Corrections Officer(CO) whenever I'm dealing with the inmates, even those housed in our infirmary. They ARE afterall, in prison. Can't let your guard down for a minute!

Orca, ADN, ASN, RN · Mar 7, 2016

My agency doesn't hire new grads, for reasons that I agree with. Correctional nursing requires levels of skill and independence that no new graduate has. Your assessment skills need to be polished, because inmates will try to game you. You are also going to be in situations with minimal staffing and no provider on duty, and you will have to make judgment calls that may have serious consequences. I would not have been ready for the responsibility fresh out of school.

emilyy11 · Mar 9, 2016

I've been a nurse in a county jail and a state prison.

I really loved working at the jail. There was always something going on. We'd have med pass, intakes, emergencies, drunk/high individuals, uncooperative people, people in restraints, people getting pepper sprayed, DUI blood draws, self garners, mentally unstable individuals.. chest pains were a common thing to try to get out of jail. Some fake seizures. Some fake drug/alcohol withdrawal. But then you do have the real-deal situations.

The prison system is a little calmer. Most inmates have settled into their lives in prison; have jobs, go to school, watch tv, have hobbies. I work in the receiving facility in my state. All inmates go through there before being shipped to the facility that matches their classification level. This facility also has a 10 bed infirmary for acute and long term patients. We have the only mental health unit in the state and the most dangerous maximum security inmates like those on death row. I also take care of minimum security inmates in a small unit outside the walls.

Correctional nursing is a lot different than hospital or LTC nursing where the patient is always right. Security is the number one priority in prison/jail. If someone is hanging in their cell, the officers wait until they have enough back-up before opening the doors. Inmates will also try anything and everything they can do to get what they want. I've heard too many stories of nurses and officers having relationships with inmates and bringing in contraband. They also know the right words to get meds they want. Our most commonly abused meds are wellbutrin, gabapentin, effexor and lyrica. I've heard of inmates getting so desperate for a high that they will spray their albuterol inhaler onto a mirror, scrape it off and snort it. It's like maybe a 2 second high.

I don't think you need to have experience to work in corrections. I only worked in LTC for a year before starting at the jail. And they are completely different. Very few of my skills relate between the two specialties. Corrections will either be right for you or not. I've seen many people fail after just a few weeks, while others thrive and love it. Corrections definitely uses all your skills. One minute I can be passing meds, the next I have a code for someone cutting themselves , then I have to go take care of the infirmary and toilet someone with a mechanical lift. Then I do office work and order meds and organize lists. I could be a clinic nurse and do sick call or wound care. All while being catcalled and getting hit on. You just never know what your day will be like.

LPNTOBE2017 · Mar 10, 2016

Hello,

What kind of degree do I need for a position as a Correctional Nurse ADN or BSN? And what type of experience do I need for the position? I live in CT

carmen

LPNmorse · Mar 15, 2016

Holy crap if this is easy then the nurses during my hospital shifts must have been dreaming! 2.5 years corrections here, it's harder cause 'malingering' is never a word anyone wants to say out loud.

True Story · Apr 11, 2020

Does the facility train you? If so how long? What’s the routine for twin towers? Not sure yet what shift I’ll be working. All I’m told is I’ll be at twin towers