should I take Jail Job?

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Specializes in Cognitive Impairement, Psych.

I have been working psych since I graduated 2 years ago. I love psych but I am unhappy at my current job. I applied for a jail that is very close to myhouse and I just got called back. They want to hire me. I am going to take the job but I have never been in jail before, I mean other than the interview and the "walk through" of the medical building I don't know anything about jail. Is my psych experience enough? I must admit I am afraid but I also think it will be a great experience. My mother worked corrections as a counselor for a few years after she retired from NYPD and she told all of these facinating stories. I am not a loud, aggressive person. I am actually quiet and to myself. Will I survive doing time? Should I look for work elsewhere? In your experience have yo seen nurses who don;t do well in jail??:confused:

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The easy answer is that there are good nurses, and there are good corrections nurses. The two are not always the same. Many love it, many hate it. Some are cut out for it, some are not. There is no easy way to know, other than to just do it. View it as an opportunity, and a chance to find out. If you don't like it, you haven't enlisted and you can leave anytime you want.

I have been working psych since I graduated 2 years ago. I love psych but I am unhappy at my current job. I applied for a jail that is very close to myhouse and I just got called back. They want to hire me. I am going to take the job but I have never been in jail before, I mean other than the interview and the "walk through" of the medical building I don't know anything about jail. Is my psych experience enough? I must admit I am afraid but I also think it will be a great experience. My mother worked corrections as a counselor for a few years after she retired from NYPD and she told all of these facinating stories. I am not a loud, aggressive person. I am actually quiet and to myself. Will I survive doing time? Should I look for work elsewhere? In your experience have yo seen nurses who don;t do well in jail??:confused:
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I have been working psych since I graduated 2 years ago. I love psych but I am unhappy at my current job. I applied for a jail that is very close to myhouse and I just got called back. They want to hire me. I am going to take the job but I have never been in jail before, I mean other than the interview and the "walk through" of the medical building I don't know anything about jail. Is my psych experience enough? I must admit I am afraid but I also think it will be a great experience. My mother worked corrections as a counselor for a few years after she retired from NYPD and she told all of these facinating stories. I am not a loud, aggressive person. I am actually quiet and to myself. Will I survive doing time? Should I look for work elsewhere? In your experience have yo seen nurses who don;t do well in jail??:confused:

Give it a shot.....If you don't try, you'll never know. Correctional nursing isn't for eveyone, but many of us really like it. Good luck!!!

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Hi,

I just wanted to say that I worked psych with adolescents and had my hair pulled, glasses broken, etc. I now work in a prison and noone says,"get the nurse" when somebody is going off. The officer is the one to deal with the physical altercations. I feel MUCH safer in a prison than a psych facility. Of course, the comparison may be different for you depending upon the type of psych and staffing. Give it a try if you are interested. The jail is probably a little different, but here at the prison one can work in the dispensary or infirmary, so there is some variety. Good luck!

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Specializes in ER, PACU, CORRECTIONAL HEALTH, FLIGHT.

psych experience is enough and probably a plus. you are quiet? ha! get ready. once you get prison in your blood, it will change you...you will become ALOT tougher, louder...

and yes, to answer your question, i have seen some nurses who just couldnt hang-they were too naive to work in corrections and got manipulated up the ying yang and were totally ineffective in dealing with prison population.

being "nice" is misinterpreted by them all as "hey this nurse wants to do me"..you just cant be nice.

the best way to operate is a cool detached demeanor, but professional. know how to pick your battles (and if you are a psych nurse you know all about picking your battles and not engaging in power struggles)

I have been working psych since I graduated 2 years ago. I love psych but I am unhappy at my current job. I applied for a jail that is very close to myhouse and I just got called back. They want to hire me. I am going to take the job but I have never been in jail before, I mean other than the interview and the "walk through" of the medical building I don't know anything about jail. Is my psych experience enough? I must admit I am afraid but I also think it will be a great experience. My mother worked corrections as a counselor for a few years after she retired from NYPD and she told all of these facinating stories. I am not a loud, aggressive person. I am actually quiet and to myself. Will I survive doing time? Should I look for work elsewhere? In your experience have yo seen nurses who don;t do well in jail??:confused:
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Specializes in Cognitive Impairement, Psych.

i have an update! :balloons: i just got the call back from fcf. i got the rn job! i start on august 31 at 8:00 am. i just gave my job my resignation but i plann to keep working until august 29 th. i am so excited!!!!

any advice since i will be the new kid on the block. please share good and bad experiences.

thanks for all your support.

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i have an update! :balloons: i just got the call back from fcf. i got the rn job! i start on august 31 at 8:00 am. i just gave my job my resignation but i plann to keep working until august 29 th. i am so excited!!!!

any advice since i will be the new kid on the block. please share good and bad experiences.

thanks for all your support.

congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!!:balloons: that's wonderful of you to give a nice notice to your old employer. i try to never burn bridges;)

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Specializes in ER, PACU, CORRECTIONAL HEALTH, FLIGHT.

congratulations!

is it federal or state? mens or womens facility? infirmary or no? tell me more! i am excited for ya!

i have an update! :balloons: i just got the call back from fcf. i got the rn job! i start on august 31 at 8:00 am. i just gave my job my resignation but i plann to keep working until august 29 th. i am so excited!!!!

any advice since i will be the new kid on the block. please share good and bad experiences.

thanks for all your support.

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I am considering applying to a California Prison position through a staffing agency. Does anyone here have any experience in CA with Staffing agency/Prison positions?

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i have an update! :balloons: i just got the call back from fcf. i got the rn job! i start on august 31 at 8:00 am. i just gave my job my resignation but i plann to keep working until august 29 th. i am so excited!!!!

any advice since i will be the new kid on the block. please share good and bad experiences.

thanks for all your support.

good for you............cogratulations!!!!

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Any one know what the current "base pay" is for CA prisons.

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