Help?!? What should I do?

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Here is my situation: I have been a nurse for 6 months now. I spent 5 of those months working in a hospital. I was absolutely miserable. Our hospital was going through a major restructuring and the turnover in nurses was astronomical. Anyway, I had to leave the job because my husband is in the military and he received temporary orders (I had to come home to care for my children while he was gone). He is now back and we are awaiting permanent orders to active duty. In the meantime, I have to go back to nursing in order to support my family. As we are expecting orders in about two months, I can only work temporary through an agency. In my neck of the woods, for someone with 5 months experience, corrections is the only work you can get. I don't mind too much because it seems like a change of pace and a way to explore something different in nursing. My problem is this, I am 19 weeks pregnant and I am not sure that I should be pursuing this right now. Since I really don't have a choice, is corrections ok for pregnant nurses?

thanks!

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I know plenty of pregnant corrections nurses.

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Specializes in Case Management, Corrections, Home Care.
Here is my situation: I have been a nurse for 6 months now. I spent 5 of those months working in a hospital. I was absolutely miserable. Our hospital was going through a major restructuring and the turnover in nurses was astronomical. Anyway, I had to leave the job because my husband is in the military and he received temporary orders (I had to come home to care for my children while he was gone). He is now back and we are awaiting permanent orders to active duty. In the meantime, I have to go back to nursing in order to support my family. As we are expecting orders in about two months, I can only work temporary through an agency. In my neck of the woods, for someone with 5 months experience, corrections is the only work you can get. I don't mind too much because it seems like a change of pace and a way to explore something different in nursing. My problem is this, I am 19 weeks pregnant and I am not sure that I should be pursuing this right now. Since I really don't have a choice, is corrections ok for pregnant nurses?

thanks!

What state are you from?

I don't think a new nurse should be going into corrections. There is just too much independent practice. I don't think a new nurse is ready for it. It's not risk getting into trouble. Why not check out a doctor's office? Also, Corrections can be a lot of work for anybody because of the serious short staffing issues. Good luck in whatever you do though.

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Specializes in Mental Health / Urgent Care.

I agree... I don't think your pregnancy is an issue, I think your lack of experience might be. You'll see medical problems at the jail you never saw in school or during your brief hospital practice. These people have problems that have never been diagnosed and they've never been treated for before coming to jail. Your assessment skills really need to be sharp. Remember, every inmate you treat has an Attorney on board. You can't screw up.

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I appreciate all the comments. Like I said in my earlier post, in my area of Texas, corrections is all that is available on a temporary basis to nurses without experience. I don't really have a choice. It is either choose a corrections assignment or not make money. We will be moving in June, so hiring on permanently at another facility is out of the question.

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Remember, every inmate you treat has an Attorney on board. You can't screw up.

hahahaha...so true!

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