LPN starting first day in correctional nursing

Specialties Correctional

Published

Hello, I have been an LPN for 2 plus years working entirely in long term care. I recently moved to FL and I accepted a job at a local jail. I am a little excited because it will be something new for me but at the same time I am scared due to the good and bad stories I have heard. My question is, what exactly is the role of the LPN in the jail setting. I will be working 7p-7a. Any advice will be greatly appreciated, thanks.

@ twissted assistant.

Im right now taking my lpn cources and looking into moving to florida in the next year or so. Are correctional LPn jobs are they hard to come by?

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I am an LPN with 14 years experience..but even with that, I am still nervous about starting my new job in corrections. I am with an agency so my shifts will vary. My first shift is tomorrow night 6p-6:30a. It's about a 45 minute drive to get there. I've just NEVER set foot in a prison before and I think the 'unknown' is what's got me sooo nervous. I'm hoping that they don't just throw me to the wolves since I'm agency..because this is totally new for me. I do appreciate this site and all the people who take the time to give advice and a window into their world. I wonder what to expect for my first day?

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At the prison I work at, agency used to get thrown to the wolves, less than a week of training but they started giving them about 4 wks for the last two groups because most people didn't stay long on so little training. Remember you are a nurse first but also remember you are dealing with inmates. They will try to sweet talk you into anything they can because you are a new face. Stay strong and hold your ground when it comes to following the rules. If they know you won't bend things for them, they will back off. The other thing I have learned is follow through. Don't ever tell an inmate you will check on something when he asks you something you can do something about like I saw optometry 8 weeks ago, can you find out why I haven't gotten my glasses yet, and then not do it. They will remember and they will give you a hard time every time they see you. Don't ever be afraid to tell them when they are out of line, or push your alarm/blow your whistle. You don't have to be mean to them, just firm. Treat them like a patient first, just remember not to overshare with them. I have a coworker that has a really hard time with a lot of her inmates in her Dr's line because she isn't always decent to them. I tend be nicer but a firm nice and I have only one or two that give me a hard time but even then, not really.

Hope your first night went well :)

Jax

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Hello Jax,

Thank you for sharing that. I worked my shift last night and unfortunately I am rather disappointed. When I got to the medical unit, the guard who escorted me there informed a staff member there that "the new agency nurse is here". The response of the nurse was.."Well just go sit over there or somethin"..she was obviously busy..but a more welcoming response would have been nice. I asked for the nurse manager and was directed to her office. Once there I was given an orientation checklist, which which was supposd to be gone over by the person who was to 'train' me (btw this never happened). When the nurse manager introduced me to the nurse who I was to follow...the nurse looked annoyed and this was the trend for the entire shift. I felt like I was being ignored most of the time as the nurse went about things in her normal fashion without explaining...It was almost as if I were invisible. When I would ask questions I would get quick,short answers without much detail which of course left me totally lost so I would ask again which seemd to further annoy her. The nurse was so accustomed to the patients and their orders that she never checked orders before care(like scheduled tx's)..and I would have liked to have seen the 'by the policy' ways of doing things. If I get a good 1 day of orientation..I'm ususally pretty good to go and can be so much more of a help y'know? There is more but you get the idea. So I have to go tomorrow morning 6a-6p and I'm wondering how to handle it if I have the same situation:confused:

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I can't say I am surprised, about half the nurses I work with are that way. The rest of us are thrilled to have some help. Hopefully you will get a better trainer on your next shift.

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Specializes in Corrections, tele/med surg.

I know this is a late post. I just want to say that I love working in corrections! I worked my way through nursing school as an MA at a large county jail in Florida. I absolutely loved it. I had autonomy, flexible hours, better than average pay for MA, and a fairly fun atmosphere to work in. Fun, but safe. When I got my nursing license I was promoted to RN in the same facility. My intentions were never to be a corrections nurse and pursued a hospital job quite aggressively. I have now been working med-surg for 4 months and while there have been rewarding moments, I find myself missing corrections. So much so that I called for hours as a part time employee last week and right off the bat was offered 2 shifts. I missed the camaraderie with the officers and other medical staff, and I really feel like I have the ability to touch lives. At the hospital I feel like the dilaudid queen, running from room to room with the coveted vial. Of course the jail has more than it's fair share of drug seekers, but you can honestly turn them away, knowing that you are doing right by the patient. I guess I am feeling a little disenchanted by my med-surg experience and I'm doing a little soul searching now. I highly recommend anyone interested in corrections to give it a try! Be safe, be strong, follow the rules and you will be fine! I still don't know where I will end up but I am glad I still have my part time gig at the jail :nurse:

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