Too Cute!

[Coloradogrl]

I am in a LPN program and I was talking to a friend of mine that is a Correctional Nurse and told her that I was maybe intersted in getting into Correctional Nursing and she started LAUGHING and said I was too cute, cheerful, & young(I will be 25 when I will be done with school)

I dont know if I am offended or to be thankful she told me that! I dont want to sound selfcentered but I am very good looking and I try to always have a good attitude...I always thought that was a + about me!

I just thought Correctional nursing would be a good way to gain experience & also good pay....to help pay for my RN bridge program:(

[VegRN]

Honestly, I think it has way less to do with how you look and much much more with how you carry yourself (confidence!), how you take control of the situation, speak to and react to inmates. Initially the focus may be on your looks and naivatee but if you don't take any of their crap, they look elsewhere for targets.

I would not necessaily dissuade new nurses from starting in corrections. Some nurses who have all the experience in the world would never make it in corrections-too trusting and easily manipuated, not assertive enough etc. . While other even new nurses have the personality for corrections,i.e straighforward, not afraid to say no, not easily pulled into games and flattery by inmates.

I highly recomend you read the book "Games Criminals Play" by Allen/Bosta. Excellent book for anyone working with or wanting to work with the wayward members of society.

Good luck!

[nomadicV]

While I'm no Miss America, I don't have a hump on my back either--that said, I know what she's saying. You just need a good game face, tone down the perkiness and be prepared to respond to vile comments. Correctional nursing is different from anything else. The only thing that comes close is psych nursing.

[ddc101]

While I'm no Miss America, I don't have a hump on my back either--that said, I know what she's saying. You just need a good game face, tone down the perkiness and be prepared to respond to vile comments. Correctional nursing is different from anything else. The only thing that comes close is psych nursing.

Heres what I tell them.I just state,"Its because you are in jail.Just take your pills and go about your business." I don't change my demeaner and keep on pulling up pills by the mar and calling out the next name.You have to be

professional.Straight up but professional.