Corrections nursing

[Caroline123]

I am applying for a Rn position at the county sheriffs department. Does anyone have any insight on what it's like to work in corrections? I currently work nights in a hospital and am 53 years old. It would be day shift but 5 days a week. Thanks

[NursesRmofun, ASN, RN]

I think these depts. probably all function differently county to county and state to state. I have worked for a county jail in the northeast. I worked 3 - 12 hr shifts per week dayshift. We (as a team) did sick call (by a RN on the pod or unit), doctor's appts (in the infirmary) where we worked with the doc, medications on the pods or units, and emergencies, in a nut shell. Each person on the team was assigned some of those duties.

I would say this kind of job is fine for a 50's nurse. It's not easy, but it isn't the hardest job I ever had either.

[Caroline123]

Thank you! But did you like the position?

[NursesRmofun, ASN, RN]

Thank you! But did you like the position?

I liked it as far as jobs go. It was interesting.

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

Moved to Correctional Nursing.

[Caroline123]

Did you move from a hospital position? How do you like it?

[DawnJ]

I started in Corrections and love it. I'm in a big jail with a couple-three thousand inmates. I've moved to a hospital now but keep my part time at the jail. The only regrets I have is that as a new nurse, I didn't use the more invasive skills like NG tube, urinary caths, PICC line changes, drips. But the jail was exciting enough that I was bored in the hospital except in the ED.

[CryssyD]

I worked 5 or so years in a medium-security prison. I thought I would hate it, but I really kind of loved it! My previous experience has been all over the place--all ages, PICU to long-term psych, walk-in clinic to hospice; I get bored easily and seek out new challenges--and prison was definitely that. But I really liked it once I settled into it.

It was mostly an organizational/time management challenge, with flexibility and the ability to wear many hats at the same time the most important skills. Character matters in corrections, too--you have to be really honest, really committed, and really non-judgmental to make it, I think. You also need confidence in your abilities--especially the ability to keep a straight face and professional manner, no matter what.

As I said, I did the prison thing--jails are a wee bit different. Hope it works out for you, whatever you do!