Just hired by florida state prison...

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I'm an lpn with 3yrs ltc experience, relocating to florida for a new career in corrections. I could use some advice. The pay is lower than expected, about $17.50hr, but state benefits. I have never worked in corrections. I need some insight please....the shift is 7a-7p twice a week, and 8a-4p twice a week, alternating. I currently make $29.10hr, but the cost of living is so high in nj, my rent is well over $1,450 not including utilities, cable, etc...looking into a few apartments in florida with great rents and amenities, heard the cost of living is much better. I would love to hear from anyone in corrections (especially in florida) who could give me some insight asap, thanks...

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

:welcome:

I moved your posting to the Florida Nurses forum so that you can amass more responses. Good luck with your venture!

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Hi: Welcome to the sunshine state (where sunshine is part of your salary -- lol). I am an expe4ienced corrections nurse - worked at Union CI(correctional institution) right across the street from FSP, am now working at Lake CI in central Florida. Here are some tips re: NE Florida corrections:All the C/O's (correctional officers) are related - or at least semi-related (in-laws at the very least)..., correctional officers "hate"edical personnel - they see us as a hindrance to their work and a waste of taxpayer's (read their) dollars. TRUST NO ONE! Bring NOTHING IN that you do NOT absolutely need for work.... carry only a very minimal purse with minimal cash, ID, etc., because chances are there is NO PLACE to put it - even in the nursing station - you may have to keep it on your person during your shift. Check ALL your pockets, etc. BEFORE YOUR ENTER AND BEFORE YOU LEAVE. If you DID NOT bring it in with you - DO NOT take it out with you. Bear in mind - if you leave your "purse" in the station or somewhere "public" - ANYONE can have access to it -- and can take out or more specifically PUT IN anything.

There are more drugs and contraband inside the prison walls than outside - and chances are it got inside via an employee (usually a c/o).

Respect the C/o's, and DO NOT EVER REVEAL ANYTHING PERSONAL about your life to anyone employed by DOC....

The walls have ears - and anything you say or do - can and probably will be used against you - if you inadvertently **** someone off. This HAS HAPPENED. (Innocent people - nurses - have lost their jobs and their licenses);Plus, the I/M (inmates) overhear EVERYTHING!!! And they will use it to try to befriend you. BE PROFESSIONAL, demand respect and courtesy and treat the I/M's as patients ONLY...FIRST AND FOREMOST - always PROTECT YOUR license; you can always get another job - but can't always get another license.... and DOCUMENT, especially if in doubt - DOCUMENT!!!! CYA!! Administration WILL NOT - I repeat - WILL NOT CYA.

None of this is meant to detract from Prison nursing - just meant as a realistic view into what really goes on.

It is not necessarily heard work - it can be very busy - and it is VERY BEUREAUCRATIC and redundant - and you must be patient -- the c/o's CONTROL the prison... they use that "power" to make you wait until THEY decide to

let you in or out -- they decide who to search and when. They watch medical CLOSER than they watch the I/M's.

There IS a CODE OF SILENCE - despite what they say. You will have to learn to live with that to a certain extent. This is where your License gets involved. You MUST always follow chain of command - but Tallahassee IS a last resort. Just to be on the safe side - if you are going to be a permanent employee - (career service - not OPS) - JOIN THE UNION. They can CYA/protect you/save your job -- if you ever need it.

Hope this helps.

Been there, done that.

weezy

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Hi,

My husband is a CO at New River which is next to FSP also. He may have some insight I can find out for you. And, unlike Weezy says, not all of them are bad. He's not related to anyone there, and trust me when I say that he would treat you with the utmost respect. After all, he better respect the medical field, since I'm in it :) Good luck with your new job! Not sure about housing down that way, he drives about 1.5 hours each way to work. Jacksonville is really not that bad of a drive depending on where you want to live. My in-laws live in Orange Park, and the drive from their house to his job is about 45 mins or so.

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Thanks for the advice. Do you enjoy correctional nursing? What is a typical day like in this field for an LPN?

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I'm gonna let Nursmonica answer your question re: typical day, as I work nights, because I don't want to get involved in the politics of day shift.

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Weezy, just curious, you would rather work in a correction facility instead of a hospital... ????

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Yes I would - at least for right now. Was a hospital nurse for years - and they no longer hire LPN's anyway.

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Specializes in Corrections,Med/Surg, Infectious Disease.

I am a RN and choose to work in corrections vs a hospital. There is drama and politics in any healthcare setting but to me, I prefer Corrections. I moved back to FL after living in So CA for 14 years and yes the pay is a big change but for some reason in FL I've been able to live better and save even $5 if that's all. In CA no way, to expensive to save anything, lol lol even as a well paid RN. I work in a Correctional Facility and agree with Weezyljm. Don't let anyone know anything personal, keep your nose clean, don't bring in or take anything out, protect your license(as you would in any healthcare job) and realize CO's do control a HUGE portion of the facility hence that to me to is where a lot of the contraband comes in from...sadly. But I do my job and keep my nose out of other drama and always stay alert. Admin like in any healthcare job is always about the $$ and budget so like Weezy said.....DOCUMENT DOCUMENT DOCUMENT and I always take a copy of what I write if there is an issue with an inmate or something so it doesn't mysteriously disappear when it's needed. Be proactive for yourself not reactive. Keep in mind, every inmate has a role in their facility, they all know if you're new or scared so be professional and respect them. Don't belittle them or it may not be a good thing, not trying to scare you but these people aren't in there for good behavior so be aware!!! Kindness from them can be good or bad, they are always testing you!!! Again, I prefer Correctional Nursing so hang in there and go for it. We need more of ya!!

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Specializes in Corrections,Med/Surg, Infectious Disease.

$17.50 isn't bad because most likely you not only get benefits but you will get a lot of OT if they need the help which is great too!!!

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Thank you for telling it like it is... and for the part about paperwork mysteriously disappearing... I know for a fact that it does happen...only to reappear in a different form (ie., altered)..sad, but true.

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