corrections is fantastic!!!

[happyjailnurse]

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!!!

[Murse901, MSN, RN]

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.

I don't think it has anything to do with working for the county. It's just the setting, period. I work for a contract company in a county facility and it STILL would take an act of congress followed by a sign-off by Obama to get someone fired here.

After a year in corrections, I still enjoy my job on a day-to-day basis, but the long haul is killing me with the laziness of staff! If everyone here gave just 80% of themselves in their 8 hours, soooooo much would be accomplished. Instead, everyone is so worried about having to do an ounce more work than the next person, that nothing ever gets done.

[MaritesaRN]

No doubt , prison is not in the agenda. I did work in county in a Psych lock up unit ...and I do not know why county have so many lazy people ! then I worked in a VA locked up unit, and staff was different and we were a team ---- I pride to say that our rotation have less patients hurting themsleves or others. We pay attention to what is going on in the ward , and although the RN's were strict , it should be because you can get hurt real bad if these patients act out and your staff sucks! But we had a real good staff, teamwork and less to no acting out in our shift!

Now , prison is another mentality....and I hear they have their own little "government" in there. ;0)

[~~RN~~]

I have worked many different places and under many different contracts....it is not the environment or the "mentality"....it is the leadership! Maritesa stated it - "...although the RNs were strict...we had a real good staff, teamwork..." That really is the name of the game. Staff need structure and knowledge of expected outcomes, and they need to know the consequences if they fail to do their part....and THEN they need to be held accountable. I have found that most staff want to do a good job, but they resent when they perceive others are not doing their share and there are no consequences. It then becomes a game to see who can do the least! I have also worked under contract companies where it was very difficult to terminate someone, but that just meant the manager had to be very diligent about documenting the issues. Again, most people want job satisfaction, and those that could care less will leave when they realize management is serious about disciplinary action and that they will be held accountable (but I will admit sometimes it is a true battle of the wills to see who "gives up" first!). In the long run, though, it is worth the effort to get a team in place like Maritesa's that will work well together....and it IS possible!

[Itshamrtym]

Can you do 12's in corrections?? usally every other weekend or every 3rd?? thanks.... take care all

[bermuda56]

Well said, and I agree. I work at a Max Security prison, we raise the "bar"!!

[Guest371144]

I agree with ~~~~RN~~~~, it has a lot to do with management. Lazy nursing shouldn't be tolerated, but it often is. Maybe it seems an easier option than using the progressive discipline process and then recruiting more motivated nurses. Corrections is a hard market to recuit for.

[MaritesaRN]

I have worked many different places and under many different contracts....it is not the environment or the "mentality"....it is the leadership! Maritesa stated it - "...although the RNs were strict...we had a real good staff, teamwork..." That really is the name of the game. Staff need structure and knowledge of expected outcomes, and they need to know the consequences if they fail to do their part....and THEN they need to be held accountable. I have found that most staff want to do a good job, but they resent when they perceive others are not doing their share and there are no consequences. It then becomes a game to see who can do the least! I have also worked under contract companies where it was very difficult to terminate someone, but that just meant the manager had to be very diligent about documenting the issues. Again, most people want job satisfaction, and those that could care less will leave when they realize management is serious about disciplinary action and that they will be held accountable (but I will admit sometimes it is a true battle of the wills to see who "gives up" first!). In the long run, though, it is worth the effort to get a team in place like Maritesa's that will work well together....and it IS possible!

:wink2: Thanks RN ! Truly you pointed out the most important facts and so well said ! It gives me good feelings that there are still thinking and mature people, as a majority ! :redbeathe

[Steristripqueen]

If you have excellent nursing assessment skills and looking for a challange corrections is the place to be. Corrections is a whole different world but also not that different for patient care. No one nurse comes off from the private sector and instantly have a full understanding of inmates or the State ways. I have been in corrections for just over 18 yrs and I am STILL learning and encountering new ploys used by inmates. You have to be flexible and open minded and really listen/participate to the facility training modules. Hopefully you have a 'old timer RN' to orientate you properly so that the shock of dealing with inmates is minimal.

Today at work I was talking with RN's who do OT at other jails and they mentioned how mean those nurses were to them. So unfortunatly nurses still are eating their young if you will. I hate that saying but it's the reality where I am. I LOVE having a new nurse orientate with me and passing on some of my trials and tribulations but unfortunatly that not always the case in corrections or in the private sector. If nothing else give it a try you can always move on and get out of nursing in corrections. Hope this helps to answer your questions/concerns.

[Chaoticdreams33, MSN, RN]

Thanks everyone for all of the information, this is a great thread. Now I just hope someone calls me for an interview!

[jailhouserock_lpn_08]

I mustadd my opinoin also! I have been working in Correctional Nursing for a mere 3 months. I have never been happier! This is also my very first job as an LPN. I just graduated in November of 08 and took my boards in Februaury 09. Beleive it or not I actually want to specialize in Pediatrics but this was open and I decided to try my luck. Boy was I scared when I started out! But by the second day it was as if I had benn in C.N. for years! And yes, it is such a challenge and you run out of necessities so quickly! The I/M are rarely pleasant (becuase they don't get there way) This is also a Benzo free/ Opiate free facility, much to the dismay of the I/Ms. I wouldn't leave this job for anything (of course except maybe a peds job) It is the best place I have ever worked.