Corrections and becoming pregnant

[Haarlem, BSN, RN]

Hi everyone,

I just accepted a job in a Corrections setting, it was one of the only job opportunities I was given, now with the COVID situation. This is contract type of work for a registry.

Since early last year, I have planned to become pregnant this year around this time (I'm 32 and ready), but I do feel conflicted about being pregnant around potentially violent inmates. Has anyone gone through this, and do you have any advice/thoughts for me?

Thank you so much!!

-Haarlem

[Guest1144461]

I will be completely honest, almost every corrections nurse I have met REALLY liked their job. I was actually surprised, but many said the inmates were really protective of the nurses.

[Haarlem, BSN, RN]

48 minutes ago, Numenor said:

I will be completely honest, almost every corrections nurse I have met REALLY liked their job. I was actually surprised, but many said the inmates were really protective of the nurses.

Thanks so much, that puts my worries a bit at ease -pregnancy is such a vulnerable state

[EatYourVeggies]

My sister is an RN that has worked in Corrections for the last decade and she is currently very pregnant and has no qualms about it. Being a nurse in any type of setting comes with a risk in my opinion, yet many are able to get through it. CONGRATS on your new job you might actually like it ; )

[Sour Lemon]

On 6/13/2020 at 10:19 PM, Haarlem said:

Hi everyone,

I just accepted a job in a Corrections setting, it was one of the only job opportunities I was given, now with the COVID situation. This is contract type of work for a registry.

Since early last year, I have planned to become pregnant this year around this time (I'm 32 and ready), but I do feel conflicted about being pregnant around potentially violent inmates. Has anyone gone through this, and do you have any advice/thoughts for me?

Thank you so much!!

-Haarlem

I've always heard good things about corrections, too. My understanding is that they have much better security to start out with.

There are plenty of aggressive and violent patients in "normal" settings. That's where the corrections patients go before and after prison. Not to mention, there are 80 year old women who can punch like professional fighters.

[RNchic]

I was pregnant though I worked nights and occasional OT during the day. It was no big deal. I have had several of my co workers both nursing and non nursing go through their pregnancies with no issues.

[Chickenlady]

I did Corrections for a few years and liked it for the most part. The only thing I saw that was different for pregnant staff was that some of the mentally ill inmates would get very mean and say terrible things. Wish terrible things on the baby. It was just talk, but the gals without thick skin or who were very religious (lots of demon-baby talk) got wigged out about it.

[SarahMaria, MSN, RN]

I work with the mentally ill in forensic psychiatry. These patients have committed very serious crimes. Most are pleasant, cooperative, and are protective of females. BUT, some are not. Always be careful.