I will be a new grad RN (ADN) come December of this year. I have always had an interest in fields of nursing that cater to less fortunate individuals, or those who experienced traumas/ emotional turmoils in life. I [believe] I would like to work in corrections.
Before going into nursing I had an interest in working in law enforcement however found more passion by working in the medical field (and scrubs ?). For 6 years I worked as a medical assistant in a Primary Care office in a wealthy area and although I learned a lot, I found it to be redundant and boring.
For the last year I have been working in an acute in-patient psychiatric hospital as a phlebotomist, and it has completely opened up my interests to working more on that side of healthcare. I have always been interested in working as a corrections nurse and have spoken to several nurses who love it.
Working in psych has exposed me to dealing with acute mentally ill patients and many patients detoxing from drugs and alcohol. It has also helped me to become stronger emotionally, as we have to deal with many different scenarios (I.e patients in restraints/holds/ vulgar language). Will my current job experience be helpful? Would I need more education than an associates? Any advice would be great as I would love to start thinking about where to take my nursing career soon. Thanks!
I call it Jail Nursing. It could also be Prison Nursing - state, Fed.
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While there is a heavy psych component, there is also lots of Med/Surg, trauma (from inmates fighting, from dog bites during arrest, etc.), OB Gyn, and juvenile matters. Lots of variety.
Good luck.
I cared for a corrections patient once who was running from a police dog, and the dog grabbed him by the scrotum. Not a pretty sight.
I'm considering a career change into Correctional nursing. I have 10 years ICU experience but started my career later in life, so retirement and pension are important to me. Can anyone share your experience going from hospital to Corrections. Is the health insurance good coverage? I have 10 years behind me from another union job and they tell me it will transfer. How does that work? Benefits of adding that time? Thanks in advance. So much to consider!
Specializes in Hospice, corrections, psychiatry, rehab, LTC.
On 8/3/2021 at 2:54 PM, Amicrazy said:
I'm considering a career change into Correctional nursing. I have 10 years ICU experience but started my career later in life, so retirement and pension are important to me. Can anyone share your experience going from hospital to Corrections. Is the health insurance good coverage? I have 10 years behind me from another union job and they tell me it will transfer. How does that work? Benefits of adding that time? Thanks in advance. So much to consider!
There are too many variables to give you a straight answer to this. You don't mention where you are located, or whether you are looking at city, county, state or federal corrections. Some agencies hire directly, while others use a contract medical service. I rather doubt that your experience will "transfer" to a government agency (meaning seniority, I presume).
As far as making the move from hospital nursing, I just completed my 20th year with my agency. I would not do hospital work again. Private employers may pay more, but we will never be taken over, bought out or shut down. I have been on duty twice when my employer was taken over by a new buyer, and I literally closed one facility when the parent company shut us down. We don't call off for low census either. I have a guaranteed pension, and I hope to begin using it within the next 2-3 years.
soontoretire2020, BSN
27 Posts
I cared for a corrections patient once who was running from a police dog, and the dog grabbed him by the scrotum. Not a pretty sight.