Dilemma 2 job offers

Specialties Correctional

Published

Hello all! I'm an RN finally able to return to work after being out for about 6 years. I've got an issue, however. Just yesterday I was offered a position at a county prison, PT guaranteed 8 hrs a week with the ability to work more if I so choose and from what I was told, would generally be 8 hr shifts, but there are 12's available depending on need; but it's a little further from home. Today, I just got a call for a position at a skilled nursing facility that's closer to home, but the schedule consists of only 12 hrs, which is not very ideal, due to working around my kids' schedules, I want to be there for concerts and games and my kids want that, too (I'm widowed so dad is obviously gone even though my SO can be there, it's not the same). This is also "part time" even though they'd have me there for 3 12's. Both are nights which works fine for me.

I guess I'm wondering for those who've worked corrections and SNF which would be preferable? I honestly am intrigued by prison nursing. I've only med/surg experience, though not very much. Am I goofy in the head to take the position further away if the schedule works better??

Thanks!!!

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I prefer corrections by a HUGE margin. The workload is much easier in the two corrections facilities I've worked in, and (I'm sure I'll get flamed for this) I do appreciate the ability to say "no" to patient's, which is VERY difficult to do in any other nursing environment.

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Hey thanks for the reply! I was able to speak to my dad last night (he's been an RN for a quite a while) and he even said he'd go the corrections route and would avoid any type of nursing home. The other place that offered me a job calls itself a nursing home but I would be in the skilled unit with 15 patients. So I ended up taking the corrections job, even if I do have to drive a little more.

I figure, like you, that the workload would be better (I'm just shy of 40 now) and it seems like it would be way more interesting. Plus everyone I met there seemed very friendly and acted as if they really enjoyed their jobs.

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Specializes in Developmentally delayed.

You made a good choice I switched from skilled nursing to corrections, my drive is insane to work (1hr15min), but at least here in CA the pay is phenomenal so it's worth it. I feel less stress in corrections. It's not for everyone but it's for me!

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Specializes in Hospice, corrections, psychiatry, rehab, LTC.
I do appreciate the ability to say "no" to patient's, which is VERY difficult to do in any other nursing environment.

This is a very underrated aspect of correctional nursing. When I worked in hospitals, you were always supposed to be kind to visitors and patients, no matter how abusive that they were to you, because they were paying customers. I even once had a doctor tell me to apologize to a visitor when the staff had done nothing wrong (I refused). In corrections, if a guy gets confrontational with you, you just tell the officer, "We're done here", and the inmate leaves without whatever he came for. Frustration I can understand, but when they get personal with it, I'm finished.

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Hello again! I just wanted to update that I'll be starting this Mon, the 11th. I'm excited but a little nervous.....what if I've forgotten everything?!

I think the part of "kicking" an inmate out if he/she is abusive will definitely take some getting used to.

Any other tips for this new prison nurse? :)

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