Hi, I would like to comment on being in corrections as an RN. I currently work at a maximum security prison, and find the position interesting, demanding, at times chaotic, and incredibly challenging. If you are looking for an easy job, this is not it...however if you are looking for a position which will at times challenge your creativity (at times we run out of even the most basic medical supplies to provide even very basic nursing care)test your patience (inmates are without doubt an incredibly difficult population to serve) and test your ability to nurse as you were taught within the constraints of an extraordinarily restrictive environment, THIS IS THE PLACE!!! My fellow nurses that I have the good fortune to work with are a team of some of the most dedicated men and women I have ever met...not to say there are not some bad seeds..but these people get weeded out over time through natural attrition, or sometimes happenstance. I think that goes for every profession, however. DONT GIVE UP ON CORRECTIONAL NURSING AS A PROFESSION!!! It is NOT simply a place where crappy nurses look towards who are unemployable elsewhere...or are looking for an easy ride!! We work hard, and are as dedicated as a nurse in the ER or ICU!!!
Specializes in psychiatric, UR analyst, fraud, DME,MedB.
Oh no you didn't.
Maritesa you indicated that you had refused to work drug rehab because of manipulative behaviours.
I answered you very straightforward.
As to my profile, when I see my name it has corrections listed under nursing specialty. Perhaps you do not see that?
Also I would like to point out that you thanked me for a response on Dec 1 2008 in IM harrassment/co's doing nothing. Twice.
I have no idea how a straight forward answer with no emoticons or even incendiary punctuation got you so angry.
I appreciate the response. first I apologize that i did not see your correctional experience. 2nd , this current response is more of a slap away ( the tone of your answer....) than an answer really...of course we can argue about this all day............. one has to be able to choose a specialty that she can stomach.....in my case I have worked a big majority of my nursing carreer in a psych environ ( and I am burned out from this type of population) , and if you have worked in this speciaty, it is an all day manipulation process by the patients, not to mention the real physical danger. Naturally , I do not want to work in that area anymore, and I was trying to fished out if the extent of manipulations by the prisoners, and how the corrections is dealing w/ this and what is the black and white rule. just how much do you allow this manipulation behavior and how is the staff dealing w/ this? I am sure there is staff splitting of which can be very dangerous, and you know there are some staff gullible enough to get suck into this , and it spells trouble....for that department or facility.
Specializes in Forensic Psych, Pediatrics, Corrections.
Im still a rookie in corrections nursing, but heres an example of some of the more subtle manipulation I've experienced.... On my first day in orientation an inmate walked up to me and asked me how he could get a full physical. This seems like a very harmless or even legitimate question, right? No, this guy knew full well how to get a physical or non-emergent medical attention. When I turned to him and said bluntly, put in a sick call slip his whole demeanor changed to "oh, yes mam". He was fishing to see how much I knew, didn't know or where my boundaries where. Seemingly harmless questions and requests are how many inmates find which staff they can target and manipulate with their BS. I too have a background in psych, my "universal precaution" in corrections is to assume they all have antisocial personality disorder, if you catch my drift.
Specializes in psychiatric, UR analyst, fraud, DME,MedB.
Im still a rookie in corrections nursing, but heres an example of some of the more subtle manipulation I've experienced.... On my first day in orientation an inmate walked up to me and asked me how he could get a full physical. This seems like a very harmless or even legitimate question, right? No, this guy knew full well how to get a physical or non-emergent medical attention. When I turned to him and said bluntly, put in a sick call slip his whole demeanor changed to "oh, yes mam". He was fishing to see how much I knew, didn't know or where my boundaries where. Seemingly harmless questions and requests are how many inmates find which staff they can target and manipulate with their BS. I too have a background in psych, my "universal precaution" in corrections is to assume they all have antisocial personality disorder, if you catch my drift.
Thank you for a very informative response. Yes......I can see the psych x inmates , can be very challenging. Your universal precautions for corrections is so well put. Thank you so much Cheshielynx !
Maritesa you indicated that you had refused to work drug rehab because of manipulative behaviours.
Most inmates today are there for some type of drug offense, and if that's not what they were convicted of it had something to do with why they are inside. Unless someone is truly psychotic, crimes are committed for sex, drugs or money, usually a combination of all three. Stories like "I shot my best friend because he swiped my stash" and "I beat up my wife when she told me to stop drinking/shooting/smoking" are the norm. You need to remember, also, that the crime they were convicted of is not usually the only crime they have committed, just the one they were caught doing. They may have been caught stealing a car, but that's only because they were driving it home from the scene where they buried a body. And, at least at the facilities that I have worked at, boredom is a HUGE factor. There are not enough CO's to supervise the IM's while working, so they don't have jobs and have nothing better to do than to talk amongst themselves and pass "helpful tips" to others. If you have a psych background, that would serve you well as most facilities pass out BUCKETS of the older psych meds (yes, they still use Thorazine in these places). These drugs are cheap and the companies like CMS and PHS cut costs every chance they get. Still, all it's faults, I wouldn't work any place else. :heartbeat
Specializes in psychiatric, UR analyst, fraud, DME,MedB.
Most inmates today are there for some type of drug offense, and if that's not what they were convicted of it had something to do with why they are inside. Unless someone is truly psychotic, crimes are committed for sex, drugs or money, usually a combination of all three. Stories like "I shot my best friend because he swiped my stash" and "I beat up my wife when she told me to stop drinking/shooting/smoking" are the norm. You need to remember, also, that the crime they were convicted of is not usually the only crime they have committed, just the one they were caught doing. They may have been caught stealing a car, but that's only because they were driving it home from the scene where they buried a body. And, at least at the facilities that I have worked at, boredom is a HUGE factor. There are not enough CO's to supervise the IM's while working, so they don't have jobs and have nothing better to do than to talk amongst themselves and pass "helpful tips" to others. If you have a psych background, that would serve you well as most facilities pass out BUCKETS of the older psych meds (yes, they still use Thorazine in these places). These drugs are cheap and the companies like CMS and PHS cut costs every chance they get. Still, all it's faults, I wouldn't work any place else. :heartbeat
Thank you for a positive and factual response. You said that you would not work anywhere else, why? Is this truly your niche? I just would like to hear more, to dispel some fo the horror stories that I have heard. Please tell ?
Thank you for a positive and factual response. You said that you would not work anywhere else, why? Is this truly your niche? I just would like to hear more, to dispel some fo the horror stories that I have heard. Please tell ?
I'm glad you find my insights helpful and honest. Why do I enjoy corrections so much? Well, I find that you have an opportunity to do some "real" nursing. Not to say that other areas are not "real" as I couldn't work in an ICU or on a Tele floor (all the beeping monitors would make me a nervous wreck in about 3 mins flat:bugeyes:). What I mean by "real" is that you have to depend on all of your knowledge (not just what you learned in clinicals) to be effective, safe and respected. There is a great deal of teaching going on because most of the populations have little knowledge of even the most basic health maintenance. When you actually get through to an IM that has little regard or respect for others, but seeks you out because he has finally found someone on this planet he can trust and respect is the best. Following policies are expected and you are (more times than not) backed up by administration. I have worked in hospitals that expected you to follow written policy, except if it didn't make them look good, then you ended up in the dog house for "poor customer service". My favorite part is that there is no family sitting there on their duff, expecting you be in their family members room at all times, just waiting to wipe Grandma's nose or hold the urinal for Uncle Joe. I have also been privileged to work with one of the greatest docs in the business, and I give him a great deal of credit for the whole work culture at the prison where I work:bowingpur. Last, but not least, I like being challanged and this environment has more challanges than the typical hospital or LTC facility. It's not for everyone, but no area of nursing is.
Specializes in psychiatric, UR analyst, fraud, DME,MedB.
I'm glad you find my insights helpful and honest. Why do I enjoy corrections so much? Well, I find that you have an opportunity to do some "real" nursing. Not to say that other areas are not "real" as I couldn't work in an ICU or on a Tele floor (all the beeping monitors would make me a nervous wreck in about 3 mins flat:bugeyes:). What I mean by "real" is that you have to depend on all of your knowledge (not just what you learned in clinicals) to be effective, safe and respected. There is a great deal of teaching going on because most of the populations have little knowledge of even the most basic health maintenance. When you actually get through to an IM that has little regard or respect for others, but seeks you out because he has finally found someone on this planet he can trust and respect is the best. Following policies are expected and you are (more times than not) backed up by administration. I have worked in hospitals that expected you to follow written policy, except if it didn't make them look good, then you ended up in the dog house for "poor customer service". My favorite part is that there is no family sitting there on their duff, expecting you be in their family members room at all times, just waiting to wipe Grandma's nose or hold the urinal for Uncle Joe. I have also been privileged to work with one of the greatest docs in the business, and I give him a great deal of credit for the whole work culture at the prison where I work:bowingpur. Last, but not least, I like being challanged and this environment has more challanges than the typical hospital or LTC facility. It's not for everyone, but no area of nursing is.
You are an amazing person! I like the way you share your experience to help me think about this line of work or specialty. I guess there is a stigma w/ prison work ....not to mention those movies that made prison look like a terrible not to mention a dangerous place to work ! I guess the next best thing is to find a "good" place to work for. I am looking at alternatives. I am presently doing medical review for medicare, and I would like to move up North of California or even Washington Stat or Oregon.....Los Angeles is just too crowded , not to mention expensive place to be ! I will be looking for a good school for my 6 year old grandaughter as a #1 priority, also a university town is also ideal for my daughters continous study, not to mention that I would also like to get my brain going again through school. Never too old to study !! I guess I better do my research, as to where to move w/ my daughter and grand. Any suggestions of a good place?
I did both county and state nursing. Each had its advantages and disadvantages. One of the biggest differences was how the inmates and nurses were addressed by the officers (badged officers). In the state prison the officers were respectful of the inmates and medical staff. The nurses ruled when it came to medical decisions of course and the officers listened. If there was an issue they disagreed with, they would quietly pull you aside and talk with you there was alot of give and take. When you were in the units I found the state officers had better control over the inmates. If the inmates were disrespctful, the officers would immediately revoke priveledges. I never had to say a word. There I felt like we were a team and I trully trusted them with my life and felt safe doing it, they rarely if ever swore at the inmates (if seen by the brass the officers would recieve diciplinary action) and they acted totally professional to both staff and inmates. At the county level it was another story. At the county, level many of the "Guards (non badged officers) were down right rude to both the inmates and staff. If you asked them to do something they may or may not do it and if they disagred they said so in front of everyone. You were not a part of a team. When you walked on a unit and the inmates were acting up they would say or do nothing until you asked them. Inmates could lip off to you and again they would do nothing the only time they would step in. I wonder if it was because in our state at the time every civilain had to go through an 8 week academy with the officers so there was a bond. At the county level there was no such academy. The weirdest thing is at the state level for the general population and minimum security,at sick call, there is an alarm in the unit and inmates who have signed up for sick call can leave their unit and walk from their unit to the infirmary without an officer in attendance the inmates had 5 minutes to get there. Same for scheduled medical appts. During the evening and night they came accompanied but shackle free. With the county the inmates were escorted accompanied all the time and they were shackled. The wierd part is I felt safer in the state prison. I know every state is different but that was my experience. (I did 7 years in state and 2 years in county)
Specializes in psychiatric, UR analyst, fraud, DME,MedB.
I did both county and state nursing. Each had its advantages and disadvantages. One of the biggest differences was how the inmates and nurses were addressed by the officers (badged officers). In the state prison the officers were respectful of the inmates and medical staff. The nurses ruled when it came to medical decisions of course and the officers listened. If there was an issue they disagreed with, they would quietly pull you aside and talk with you there was alot of give and take. When you were in the units I found the state officers had better control over the inmates. If the inmates were disrespctful, the officers would immediately revoke priveledges. I never had to say a word. There I felt like we were a team and I trully trusted them with my life and felt safe doing it, they rarely if ever swore at the inmates (if seen by the brass the officers would recieve diciplinary action) and they acted totally professional to both staff and inmates. At the county level it was another story. At the county, level many of the "Guards (non badged officers) were down right rude to both the inmates and staff. If you asked them to do something they may or may not do it and if they disagred they said so in front of everyone. You were not a part of a team. When you walked on a unit and the inmates were acting up they would say or do nothing until you asked them. Inmates could lip off to you and again they would do nothing the only time they would step in. I wonder if it was because in our state at the time every civilain had to go through an 8 week academy with the officers so there was a bond. At the county level there was no such academy. The weirdest thing is at the state level for the general population and minimum security,at sick call, there is an alarm in the unit and inmates who have signed up for sick call can leave their unit and walk from their unit to the infirmary without an officer in attendance the inmates had 5 minutes to get there. Same for scheduled medical appts. During the evening and night they came accompanied but shackle free. With the county the inmates were escorted accompanied all the time and they were shackled. The wierd part is I felt safer in the state prison. I know every state is different but that was my experience. (I did 7 years in state and 2 years in county)
:yeah:Really appreciate your response, and yes you also touched an area that I am concern about , since there really is a difference between county and state. You also brought up some points that I should be looking at if I decide to work in this specialty. Very thorough and your honesty of your experience makes me have a true glimpse of the work environ.Thank you JessicRN !!!
Well it's been alittle over 6 months and i'm ready to move on. The position that i was placed in got boring real fast. I do have to say the benefits and the money is real good, but I realized that i'm a people person and needed to get more hands on. I also felt that all the skills i worked hard for were beginining to fade. I did read a post here that someone said that it is your co-workers that you have to be watch out for and boy is that the truth. Unfortunately there is alot of politics and ass kissing going around and if you choose your political party right it does make a difference on how much petty things are overlooked. If not, then you will be reminded of the petty things constantly. And alot of it comes down to how your team works together. I've run into some of the laziest nurses and staff i''ve ever seen and if your work is noticed and your productivity is high these co-workers get jealous and act like babies. I beleive that management heard through the grapevine that I was unhappy and looking for work so I got the oppurtunity to start floating to other areas which was real nice, sick call, wounds, dialysis meds. But the back stabbing never stopped. Either you have to change your mentality to being carefree or you can find yourself being cold and callous. And do keep your enemies closer than your friends. I have about 18 years left till retirement and i'm deciding to go back to rehab as a PTA and do contract nursing to keep my skils up and make the money. I do have to say I learned alot about correctional nursing and what is unique to this type of nursing. I've made some genuine friends and have some co-workers that is just that, but I find the environment mostly negative. There are inmates that do appreciate your work and teaching, but I find that for my selfish satisfaction that is not enough. But it's true, either you like it or not. Good luck to all you correctonal nurses.
Boy, this thread was going hot and I think Sire6240 killed it! Ha ha, I'm only kidding.....it can be a difficult place to work. I work for the county and it practically takes an act of congress to fire someone. Sometimes people who should have never passed probation end up doing so and they can be lazy, mean, manipulative, or just downright lazy! But I think we have a pretty good staff where I work, for the most part.
Thank you for a very informative response. Yes......I can see the psych x inmates , can be very challenging. Your universal precautions for corrections is so well put. Thank you so much Cheshielynx !
I have also been privileged to work with one of the greatest docs in the business, and I give him a great deal of credit for the whole work culture at the prison where I work:bowingpur. Last, but not least, I like being challanged and this environment has more challanges than the typical hospital or LTC facility. It's not for everyone, but no area of nursing is.
You are an amazing person! I like the way you share your experience to help me think about this line of work or specialty. I guess there is a stigma w/ prison work ....not to mention those movies that made prison look like a terrible not to mention a dangerous place to work !
deyo321
164 Posts
Oh no you didn't.
Maritesa you indicated that you had refused to work drug rehab because of manipulative behaviours.
I answered you very straightforward.
As to my profile, when I see my name it has corrections listed under nursing specialty. Perhaps you do not see that?
Also I would like to point out that you thanked me for a response on Dec 1 2008 in IM harrassment/co's doing nothing. Twice.
I have no idea how a straight forward answer with no emoticons or even incendiary punctuation got you so angry.