Hired at a correctional....any advise?

Sunnygirl1233 · Mar 9, 2017

I, too, have peds experience and am now getting into corrections. I'll be interested in seeing the replies!

QueenWandaful · Mar 10, 2017

Im thinking applying. How do you like it?

aprilrazz · Mar 11, 2017

I am 2 months in at a city jail and I love it. I have similar experience as well as time in military medicine. I do anything from sick call, med passes and booking right now and it is never a dull time. You get to use all kinds of skills that you may have learned and pick up a few along the way. You do need to watch for manipulation as the inmates have lots of time to figure out how to get things from you.

I feel really safe as there is a deputy with me at all times and I am never alone with inmates. Read up on things as there are a few good books on the subject that will help you find your way. Also talk to the other nurses that have been there a while. They are full of advice.

Tippyrn · Mar 11, 2017

Watch your back, literally.

GoBuckeyez10 · Mar 12, 2017

In your considering the BOP.....Reconsider, toxic environment all around the country

BedsideNurse · Mar 20, 2017

In your considering the BOP.....Reconsider, toxic environment all around the country

I've read some nursing forums with BOP people on there. A lot of problems for sure. Not that hospital work is problem free, but after I don't think it'd be for me.

TriciaJ, RN · Mar 20, 2017

Great book: Games Criminals Play: How You Can Profit By Knowing Them by Budd Allen.

angeloublue22, BSN, RN · Mar 25, 2017

As to manipulative BX. I a good article to read Downing a Duck Downing A Duck (An Inmate's Version) It was written by an inmate on how they use insidious manipulation to get what they want out of you. I liked working in corrections, I just didn't like the poor staffing. There is never a dull day and I gained so much confidence as a nurse because you have to be able to handle any situation.

Orca, ADN, ASN, RN · Mar 28, 2017

As to manipulative BX. I a good article to read Downing a Duck Downing A Duck (An Inmate's Version) It was written by an inmate on how they use insidious manipulation to get what they want out of you. I liked working in corrections, I just didn't like the poor staffing. There is never a dull day and I gained so much confidence as a nurse because you have to be able to handle any situation.

This article was passed around my facility by a custody supervisor who found it. It is a great resource for identifying manipulation, and it is also an object lesson in not disclosing personal information to inmates.

Dansko_shuffle · Apr 6, 2017

I've been working in corrections for 2 years and I love it. My biggest piece of advice is don't let it change you.

That was what everyone I work with told me when I first started and I had no idea what they meant until two years later.

I'm thankful that it has given me a back bone and that I am confident in my nursing practice. But it has changed me. I have no tolerance for nonsense like I did before and at times I do feel jaded/immune to certain things that happen in prison/jail. And some of the things I see are awful.

Some people think it's "cool" that I work there, others think it's terrible and unsafe. I look at it this way, I'm never alone in the sense that an officer is always with me. And for the most part the inmates/detainees don't really give the nurses a hard time. Some definitely do but for the most part it's just like any other nursing job- you have good patients and you have annoying ones/trouble makers.

But nonetheless, I am thankful and I love what I do, it's unlike any other job, you can't even make up some of the stuff that happens!

I feel like everyone should give it a shot at least once. And I hope you like it! Because I love it.

AngelKissed857, BSN, RN · Jun 29, 2017

New grad considering correctional job in county jail. This is through California Forensics group. Anyone have experience with this company, advice, concerns?