Corrections for New Grads?

Steristripqueen · Mar 24, 2008

Hi you are right that you will learn A LOT working in Corrections BUT you need to be rather quick thinking on your feet and up on your assessment skills. Where I work, on the weekends/holidays there is only one nurse for 12 hrs. We are responsilble for about 1200 inmates, all the staff (security and volunteers), all visitors from infants to the elderly. Can get pretty scarey at times. If you are level headed and can make quick assessments and decisions you will be just fine. Med runs and drsg. changes etc. are sched. for certain times so there is some form of organization. I don't mean to discourage you as I wouldn't trade this job for anything but do ask a lot of questions and request a tour and talk to the nurses you see and get their input. Hope this helps.

jacks07 · Mar 26, 2008

Hi!

I'm a new grad working in corrections. Graduated in December, passed boards in February and had a DIFFICULT time finding a job d/t no experience. Finally got hired by a staffing agency which sent me to a prison.

I only had three days of orientation. My first night out of orientation I was the only RN with one LPN. I was sooo stressed. THank goodness I had a good LPN that knew the ropes.

I've realized, after 6 shifts, that nursing in corrections is not too difficult. The worst part is the beauracracy. I had one inmate with a papercut on his finger today and he asked for a band aid for it during med call. I had to do an assessment and fill out two pages of paperwork for a band aid. There is sooo much paperwork. We don't have computers where I work so everything takes three times as long as it should. Charts are always missing. Med orders are hand written in a kardex so there is a HUGE CHANCE of making a med error.

What you do depends on where and when you work. I do a lot of meds and some dressing changes at night. Other nurses work in intake and I think there are some facilites that are more like LTC.

It's not that bad as a new grad. YOu never know what you are going to get so you have to be quick on your toes and know your stuff. Be carefull though. There is some sloppy nursing where I am, watch out for your license.

moongoddess1238 · Apr 4, 2008

Hi I passed my boards in November and have been working in corrections since then. I love it but when I compare jobs with my friends the big differnce seems to be that most of the time I am alone. If I have a question about a med or someone goes bad quick Ihave a doc on the grounds 24/7 but it's going to take them a while to get there and the same thing with other nurses. That being said the population I deal with is more healthy (at least physically) than what I would find in a nursing home or hospital. The floor I work on is between 50-60 people who all get meds so the meds pass is a little heavy and the facility that I work in is for the mentally ill. So there is a new set of problems to take into account. I would definitely ask lots of questions and request a tour of the facility if possible. Not sure if this helps at all

elkpark · Apr 4, 2008

I agree with what the other posters seem to be saying. In my opinion, it would depend on the particular setting and whether you would be working with/alongside experienced RNs. If it were a situation where you were going to be working alone (as the only RN, I mean) all or most of the time, I think that would be a poor choice for a new grad.

I know new grads are all sick of hearing this, but if corrections is your long-term goal, it sure wouldn't hurt to get the dreaded "year of acute med-surg experience" first. :)

(Plus, you may have a much easier time finding an acute med-surg job as a new grad than a corrections job.)

Congratulations (in advance) on your upcoming graduation, and best wishes --

hippie4life · Apr 16, 2008

I remember my first day in corrections. It was very different from comminity nursing. I was fortunate to be allowed to follow a nurse in the prison for an entire shift on the day of my interview. At the end of that day the interview took place. That is really the only way to know if this is something you would even like. It is a shame to hire nurses and have them leave in a short time because it just isnt for them. Ask if this is possible, get a good feel for the envirnment before you decide.

I have to agree with elkpark, some good experience in just nursing will help you greatly. Nurses in corrections aren't always able to teach and precept a new nurse when they arrive. The environment often works with as little staff as possible and the work load is not lighter. everything happens in a correctional facility medical unit from emergencies that are serious and require immediate ability to think on one's feet, to an offender who just came to medical so someone will listen to him for a moment. Facilities differ in the services they provide which means you could be doing a variety of things. The corrections environment needs good nurses and I encourage anyone to try it. I love it and have done it all in the past 20 years, but it isn't for everyone and it is not the best place to gain first hand knowlege of nursing skills. Good luck to you and I hope you love it as I do.

One more thing, check out what happens in your state with medical care. If it is contracted out to a indendent medical contractor instead of being run by your state corrections department, it may not be what you want. Ask lots of questions before you take a position.

bighousenurse · Apr 17, 2008

Correctional facilities in PA require 1 year experience as a nurse before hiring, and I went in with 1 year of geriatrics/long term care. When you interview, there will be at least 2-4 people from the prison sitting in for your interview, all will ask you questions. Believe me, hindsight is 20/20, I didn't think I would get the job, but I got my acceptance letter within a week. I have been there ever since. I wouldn't trade my job for anything now. I love correctional nursing, and I know it's not for everyone, but if you feel strongly about that particular path for your career, go for it! The benefits are great, pay is above-average, and retirement in 20 years (must be at least age 50). You WILL work extra shifts, either volunteer or mandates, but it's not hard work, just a lot of tasks and paperwork. Yes, there are "emergencies", sometimes one after another, but the nurses at my facility work TOGETHER and nobody is left to hang on their own. Best of luck in your decision. Read my other posts. :up: