corrections canada nursing

nhcc · Oct 1, 2001

I've been working corrections (provincial) "contract work" for the past year. Compared to hospital nursing, the pay is significantly lower. Due to the contract nature, there are no benefits and people at our facility seem to have to work for ever before a full time ie. benefits position is offered. I have intensive care back ground as well as many years of community nursing, but was placed at the bottom of the grid, regardless.

The nursing is varied from the ordinary passing of meds for a variety of ailments as well as organizing the inmates for sick parade (doctor's visits), to assessing inmates after altercations. It's seldom dull as you never know what type of malady you'll be dealing with. We do our own blood draws and ECG's routine immunizations and a good deal of health teaching.

To work in this type of position, you must maintain a very healthy respect for the fact that these people are generally there because they have crossed that legal line and generally must pay the consequence ie. imprisonment! I've generally found that if you treat these people as individuals, you don't have a problem. I have only had to lower my voice an octave, and am instantly supported by officers who are watching constantly.

Hope this helps.

:rolleyes:

JMP · Oct 1, 2001

Dear NHCC

Thank you for your input. The postion I am considering is a federal government postion- and what I have been told, is that compared to the 20.50 plus in lieu of that I am making at the hospital........at a federal prision I would be making over 35.oo plus in lieu of.

I have also been told that, depending on the facility......( I live near Kingston, so many places to choose from) you don't work nights.

My bright idea at this time is to stay at the hospital and try corrections part time. My resume has to go in front of a board, I have to write a nursing exam and then the interview process begins.

Once again.....I really appreciate the input!

nhcc · Oct 2, 2001

Hi JMP:

Working both places may be exhausting, but may very well allow you to decide which type of nursing is for you.

During this past year, I've been doing other things as well, therefore know how tiring it can be, but wouldn't have done it any other way!

I can say that the Provincial doesn't pay any where close to the Federal pay rates. We don't work nights either, altho the officers are pushing for us to do so. They feel they don't have the training to assess a good many of the situations that arise @ night, therefore, would feel more comfortable with the expertise of nursing staff. We presently have a variety of day shifts, depending on our assignment or afternoons which presently end @ 21:30 hrs.

You certainly use all your nursing skills working corrections!

Keep me posted.... I'd be interested in your reaction to the job.

martha837 · Oct 2, 2001

Originally posted by JMP
Anyone out there work or have worked for corrections in a max security setting in a federal prision? (in Canada)

Is so, I need some info. Can you tell me what the enviroment is like, what the money is like and if you would recommend it?

I really appreciate any input!!!!!!!!!

THANKS

JMP

I just got on this site.... and for the life of me I cant find where to post..... ya'll really I am not stupid, but the blocks are so small on my screen I cant even see them... LOL I want to know how to get BACK to canada, without a lot of red tape... I am a R.N. went to nursing school in canada and moved, lost my permanent residence status.... NOW WHAT??? do i apply all over again?????

nhcc · Oct 2, 2001

Hi:

In response....

"I want to know how to get BACK to canada, without a lot of red tape... I am a R.N. went to nursing school in canada and moved, lost my permanent residence status.... NOW WHAT??? do i apply all over again?????"

Not sure if your question is how do I get to work in Canada or... how do I get my registration back again?

As far as working... I would suggest talking with immigration to begin with to find out the proper procedure. As far as getting your R.N. status in Canada... it would depend on which province you'd like to work, then applying to the governing body for nurses in the appropriate province. In Ontario it's the College of Nurses of Ontario...

If you'd like, try to clarify your question, and I'll try to be more specific ie... with potential numbers to call etc.

martha837 · Oct 2, 2001

Hi, I would like to know how I can come to canada and work as a R.N. I am a U.S. citizen but lived in Ontario for 10 years and went to nursing school there..... I so much want to relocate there again.... Where do I begin??? Do I have to reapply for perm. residence status again?????

martha837 · Oct 2, 2001

Originally posted by nhcc
Hi:
In response....

"I want to know how to get BACK to canada, without a lot of red tape... I am a R.N. went to nursing school in canada and moved, lost my permanent residence status.... NOW WHAT??? do i apply all over again?????"

Not sure if your question is how do I get to work in Canada or... how do I get my registration back again?

As far as working... I would suggest talking with immigration to begin with to find out the proper procedure. As far as getting your R.N. status in Canada... it would depend on which province you'd like to work, then applying to the governing body for nurses in the appropriate province. In Ontario it's the College of Nurses of Ontario...

If you'd like, try to clarify your question, and I'll try to be more specific ie... with potential numbers to call etc.

Ok... first of all I would love to regain my permanent residence status again, but working as a R.N. and being a permanent resident are two different things..... Does Ontario take nurses that are licenced in the U.S. to work their???? Or are they requiered to write the R.N. exam in Ontario????? that is my first question.....

nhcc · Oct 2, 2001

Hi: In response....

"Does Ontario take nurses that are licenced in the U.S. to work their???? Or are they requiered to write the R.N. exam in Ontario????? that is my first question....."

Let me call the College tomorrow (it's almost 11:00 p.m. here) and I'll get back to you. My gut feeling is that you'd have to write an exam... but don't want to say that without knowing for sure... I do know that when some of my staff have applied to work in Canada, they had to have info from their school ie. course of study etc., but because you trained here... that obviously doesn't apply.

I'll get back to you tomorrow

alexposadzki · Dec 24, 2010

Hello,

I'm looking for a nurse who either works in a correctional facility in Canada or has worked in one in the past to chat with for a story. The story is about a new study about the challenges and rewards that nurses in prisons and detention centres face, and what I'm looking for is stories/personal anecdotes about what working with inmates is like. Please email me at [email protected] if you're willing to chat and share your stories- your name won't necessarily have to be used in connection.

Thanks!

Alex