I interviewed with a correctional place...light sentencing...not hard core inmates. I was told that a quirk needed to be ironed out so I wasnt offered the job. Another company called me and offered me the job after a phone interview. The company does HEDIS review type jobs(going into DR office and hospitals and making sure claims match diseases in the chart). My husband thinks that the desk job is the way to go at $27/hr and mileage.
Meanwhile, the corrections called back today and said they could make the job offer....still don't know the amt...Im guessing similart.
So, I used to be a school nurse but feel like I need to get back into a clinical setting and the prison job is less acute than the hospital to get my feet wet. However, I have been told that I am too pretty to work in a prison and will never hear the end of it and will be bothered constant and it will get tough for me. I have also heard good things about working in the prison system.
I can't do both jobs because Im in school. The paper job is way less stress and intermittant. The jail job is shift work but lots of interesting diseases but lots of drugs and drunks to deal with as well. I feel like I am getting too far away clinically and want to move back into the clinical world.
The paper/desk job would be the easy way out. Im afraid I will regrett it later for I wont be using assessment skills or be doing any patient care.
I agree with all the prior posters who said your looks will not present a problem--just dress in a normal, somewhat subdued manner. No earrings (they can be pulled), no excessive jewelry (icky dirt and germs live in them), sneakers if allowed, and a lab coat (helps distract overly eager eyes). Keep your hair up or short so as to be less of a target for pulling. I, of course, never really had these problems in my 10 years of corrections, being fat and bald, but even I got hit on once in a while by female inmates.
One helpful reminder as a nurse--never EVER give the inmate anything that is not ordered by a doctor or permissible by prison policy (get to know it back and forth). Right now you have no idea what nefarious use an inmate can give to innocent things like a bandaid or A&D ointment, etc. The first thing the inmate will do is point you out as the one that gave it to them if they are caught, and you'll be out of a job. The inmates will test you, so you have to learn to be kind, but firm.
As I said, I worked in corrections for 10 years, and really enjoyed it. You will probably have more problems from co-workers than from the inmates, and some of the policies and procedures might seem outright bizarre, but you'll get used to it--the Right Way, the Wrong Way, and the Prison Way
Specializes in Emergency Dept. Trauma. Pediatrics.
I would do the jail. I am not a desk person and I did some clinicals at the local jail and LOVED IT! I didn't have any problems. In fact, when one inmate made a comment about me another inmate put him in check. The Deputies at our jail also won't tolerate the comments or cat calls, the inmates will get in trouble and lose privileges for it. Had I not got the job at the hospital I would have tried hard at the jail. That said, it's not a job everyone can do. It's all about how you are. Some people hate it and the environment. I liked it.
Also note that all places are different. Some of the stuff I am reading here is nothing like it was at the place I was at. See if they will let you come and shadow a day to get a feel of how that particular facility is ran.
As a jail nurse, I love it! I have to say that the officers are worse than the inmates for flirting. I'm not what a typical guy would want on the street, and still get the comments from inmates. Gotta build up a tough skin and smart comments like "You must be dreaming!". I agree with a PP about learning what you can and cannot give. Heck, my inmates even use their toothpaste to hang pictures. They are incredibly smart and have nothing to do all day except scheme.
I'm glad others commented about the looks thing first. If your looks were never a problem in the past, you're probably in good shape. On my unit of the hospital, many of the female nurses are young and attractive. Too many times I have watched some of them come out of the room and break down because of the constant harassment "normal" patients were giving them. One time my boss went into a room and told a very "touchy" patient that if he tried to be inappropriate with one of these nurses again, he might not leave the hospital with both hands still attached.
I am willing to believe that prisoners have far more respect for female nurses than the general population, though I have never worked in a prison.
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ddunnrn
231 Posts
I agree with all the prior posters who said your looks will not present a problem--just dress in a normal, somewhat subdued manner. No earrings (they can be pulled), no excessive jewelry (icky dirt and germs live in them), sneakers if allowed, and a lab coat (helps distract overly eager eyes). Keep your hair up or short so as to be less of a target for pulling. I, of course, never really had these problems in my 10 years of corrections, being fat and bald, but even I got hit on once in a while by female inmates.
One helpful reminder as a nurse--never EVER give the inmate anything that is not ordered by a doctor or permissible by prison policy (get to know it back and forth). Right now you have no idea what nefarious use an inmate can give to innocent things like a bandaid or A&D ointment, etc. The first thing the inmate will do is point you out as the one that gave it to them if they are caught, and you'll be out of a job. The inmates will test you, so you have to learn to be kind, but firm.
As I said, I worked in corrections for 10 years, and really enjoyed it. You will probably have more problems from co-workers than from the inmates, and some of the policies and procedures might seem outright bizarre, but you'll get used to it--the Right Way, the Wrong Way, and the Prison Way