Corrections nursing

You pass a lot of meds with guards either right next to you or close by. Some pods the inmates come to you and form a line and in other buildings you will go from cell to cell. You'll hear a lot of requests like "I want everything I can have". That means they may have acetamenophen, Ibu, tums, and mylanta as prns. They usually get it because it gets crazy. Some want to ask questions and you tell them to 'drop a slip'. They will try to mess you up at times and some will be wonderful.

Listen to the guards at all times. I loved my preceptorship at a womens prison. It was paper charts where I was but it was a great learning experience. No families to have to deal with, ever. There is a Corrections tab under Specialties that may give you better insight. Good luck!

I work in a state women's prison. Just started there after working for years in family practice and CHF clinic. It's a different world in terms of compassionate nursing. You really must separate yourself from the inmates mentally. Do not get emotional, and remember---they are in prison, usually for murder or child cruelty. They are cons (thus the term CONvict) so they cannot be trusted no matter how "friendly" or respectful they are. They are still dangerous so don't get too comfortable. There is always an officer, but watch your back everywhere you go. Also, don't take offense to anything they say or do. Again, they are convicts. They are going to see how far they can push you, so don't get emotional about things, and don't take things personally. In the words of the Penguins of Madagascar: "just smile and wave". Maintain your privacy--they are not supposed to ask you personal questions, but sometimes they do. My response is always "nunya". I don't even wear my wedding rings, nor do I display my full name on my I.D. In the end, the pay is much better and all you really ever have to do is pass meds and respond to the occasional "seizure" or "chest pain", and I use those terms loosely! If you want a hands-on nurturing position as a nurse, this is not the job for you. Also, keep in mind that if an inmate decides she doesn't like the way you have treated her (or him in a male prison), he or she can file grievances against you. All the corrections nurses I know have their own liability insurance. This is absolutely not my dream, but the pay and hours allow me to stay at home with my kids during the day, and I will be able to go back for my BSN soon. This is a temporary fix for me....