Is It Easier?

aeronursenj · Apr 8, 2008

I had a simple question. Is it easier being a correctional nurse? Rather than being a nurse in a hospital setting. If so,what are the differences?
Clarify question: What dont you have to do in a correctional setting that you have to do in a more traditional setting. Such as hospitals,LTC, and etc.

I was going to do correctional nursing, however I turned it down for several reasons. But first the good ones, it is good money, great benefits and (usually) a great retirement plan. However you loose alot of your skills as a nurse because most of what I would of done was hand out meds, assess pts who only wanted to get out of the daily routine with a complaint of a headache or tempature(99% where sent back to their cells without even an aspirin). If there is a real emergency it has to be cleared by the CO's first then you get in there, so the outcome is not usually good. Now this is info from someone who was going to do it was accepted for the job and turned it down once I went on my tour of the facility and got to talk to some ex-nurses. It does not mean I am correct. I hope there are some correctional nurses here to tell you first hand experience, but that is my :twocents: . Good luck in whatever decision you make. Alot of doors are opening for nursing.

Steristripqueen · Apr 8, 2008

I won't say it's any eaier and yes you can lose assessment skills IF you choose not to use them when possible but there are some jails that are called in my area RMU's (Reginal Medical Units) and this is more of a hospital type nursing. More long care type facility. Some examples are inmates recovering from major surgery, chemo., burns, tube feedings, foleys, end stage AIDS or Hep B/C, kidney disease. It's really up to you on how you maintain your skills in a 'regular' jail. Some nurses can't be bothered to listen to lung sounds, they depend on a SPO2 reading! Hope this helps.

rose red RN · Apr 10, 2008

NOTHING about nursing is easy no matter what setting you are in. You are ALWAYS learning. At a correctional facility you see alot of people that do not typically take care of themselves - never been to a doctor before or in along time, abuse drugs/alcohol, have mental health issues that have never been addressed before ect.......

You never know who is walking in the door so i wouldnt say you lose your assessment skills you actually have to be excellent at it because you really have to decide if this person really needs medical attention or are they just faking to get attention or just drug seeking ect..... Remember you are talking to criminals - they are great liars and very manipulative.

You see EVERYTHING from burns, gun shot wounds, hypertension, seizures, diabetes, pregnant women - high risk and usually have had no prenatal care and drug/alcohol use during the pregnancy, postpartum women, end stage renal failure on dialysis, tons of mental health, tons of people detoxing from alcohol/drugs, MRSA, lice, abcesses/wounds, tuberculosis, dementia/alzheimer's, severe dehydration, attempted suicide, scabies, HIV/AIDS, hepatitis, stroke, post surgical, jaw wired, chest pain, COPD, lots of fractures, and I guess I could go on and on and on but it is alot!

We have people on cpap machines, oxygen, insulin pumps, IV's, some have PICC lines, ect.......

We have approximately 2000 inmates taking medications there and its crazy but you never know what you are going to see next. I learn something new everyday! I love it!!

RN.38SPCL · Apr 10, 2008

I agree with Michell RN. You do have to be sharp. I have seen things in jails I never would have seen in the health facility setting. Since we have illegal immigrants of many types, I have also learned their healthcare issues and how their cultures view treatments etc. I also work in a LTC on the weekends for extra dough. I had been in corrections 5 yrs before taking a second job and had no trouble doing my own blood draws and IV starts. It's like riding a bike. The technical stuff comes right back. I have had young people come in with 3rd degree burns because their meth lab blew up in their faces. You have to be sharp and creative in corrections for your tx to achieve the same end results that you would have in a healthcare setting. The environment is very strict and some of your usual plans can not be utilized.

rebelgirl#1 · Apr 10, 2008

Hello,

I work at a Federal Medical Center. We see a lot of the chronic disease, post surg, wounds and I draw blood, start IVs, do EKGs, and lots of good old assessment.

My coworker came from a fast paced area so she does agency work to keep those skills up.

aicfan · Aug 4, 2008

I think you need really good assesment skills. 9 times out of 10 inmates in a county jail are malingering but there is always that tenth time. I have started iv's and shipped people out via ems. You need to have good assesment skills to recognize the real issues:smokin:

Hoozdo, ADN · Aug 5, 2008

I find corrections easier for a few simple facts:

1. There are no visitors!

2. I can go to the bathroom when I want.

3. I can take a lunch. In fact, lunch is mandatory!

4. No Press-Gainey surveys or customer satisfaction surveys.

I feel I am in a safer environment than I used to work in.....MICU/SICU. I don't have to struggle with confused pts, I don't have to lift dead body weight and reposition pts Q2h, and I don't even have to hand out meal trays!

I do think I will start working agency ICU 12-24 hrs a week though to keep up my hours for my CCRN certification. I get zero exposure to vents, monitors, and drips.

uraqt2 · Aug 5, 2008

Very well said Michelle RN.

afteralltheseyears · Aug 12, 2008

I agree that nurses who do well in corrections have primo assessment skills and the confidence to say so when you can't see anything there to warrant XYZ. I also love the independance of it--providing alot of care based on your assessment findings and nurse protocols.

I wouldn't say the work is easier. Each has its own challenges.

aeronursenj · Oct 30, 2008

Ok, so noone read the past sentence of my respose I guess>>It does not mean I am correct. I hope there are some correctional nurses here to tell you first hand experience, but that is my :twocents: . Good luck in whatever decision you make. Alot of doors are opening for nursing.