Leaving the bedside for Correctional Facility

Published

Specializes in Med-Surg Nursing.

After working in an adult ICU for over 8 years and being a Critical Care nurse for over 12 with 17 years of acute care nursing under my belt, I'll be starting work in a State Correctional facility next month! Definitely different! I'm ready for the change for sure. Pretty sure I'll like it! I've worked with inmates from this facility in the past as they'd come to my previous hospital for treatment. I also know a few people who already work in the nursing department!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Cardiac, ER, Pediatrics, Corrections.

Good luck to you!! :) I am currently a Pediatric nurse who is currently trying to transition to correctional. What a jump!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC, Correctional Nursing.

Just remember that most inmates will mistake your kindness for weakness and try to manipulate you to get what they want. It's a different ballpark in corrections. You have to rely heavily on your assessment skills because most of the time they are lying to you about what's going on with them. Good luck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Cardiac, ER, Pediatrics, Corrections.

Golden advice and so true!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I've been a med surge nurse for one year and am considering taking a corrections job or one on a male forensic unit in the state hospital. Both are State positions with the same benefits. Do you have any advice to share with me?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Developmentally delayed.
Good luck to you!! :) I am currently a Pediatric nurse who is currently trying to transition to correctional. What a jump!!

That's what I just did. It is quite a transition but I'm glad I made the move!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Developmentally delayed.
Just remember that most inmates will mistake your kindness for weakness and try to manipulate you to get what they want. It's a different ballpark in corrections. You have to rely heavily on your assessment skills because most of the time they are lying to you about what's going on with them. Good luck!

So true! Someone explained to me that in *most* cases the only thing the inmate has control of is his body. He will care for it meticulously and come to the RN for the slightest things. They also love new nurses new people to try to manipulate!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I have been an inmate in jail not the big house never been to prison and this made me laugh cause it's so true. I thought we had you all fooled no I'm kidding. Honestly I went to the nurse once asked for an ibuprofen cause I had a headache she said to fill out a form I should get my ibuprofen in 24-48 hours, I said ok, why, cause the charge nurse had to approve it. I thought it was cause it was an ibuprofen so I asked for a Tylenol same thing. I asked why the charge nurse had to approve it, she said cause that's the rules. So can someone on here pretty please tell me the truth why did I have to wait so long for an ibuprofen? I can see a half hour but 24-48 hours really

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in HH, Peds, Rehab, Clinical.

What kind of criminal record do you have? Just curious----this may preclude you from ever being a nurse.

I have been an inmate in jail not the big house never been to prison and this made me laugh cause it's so true. I thought we had you all fooled no I'm kidding. Honestly I went to the nurse once asked for an ibuprofen cause I had a headache she said to fill out a form I should get my ibuprofen in 24-48 hours, I said ok, why, cause the charge nurse had to approve it. I thought it was cause it was an ibuprofen so I asked for a Tylenol same thing. I asked why the charge nurse had to approve it, she said cause that's the rules. So can someone on here pretty please tell me the truth why did I have to wait so long for an ibuprofen? I can see a half hour but 24-48 hours really
Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion