LPNs in Jails?

Nurses LPN/LVN

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Hey guys I have an offer for a jail job through a staffing company and I was wondering does anyone have an experience to share about it? I'm currently in LTC and want something else field wise. Thanks!

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Jail is LTC behind bars.

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Specializes in Allergy and Immunology.

I worked at a Detox facility when I was an LPN, which seemed like jail. Our facility was a locked (meaning you can not just sign your self out, even if you signed your self in) facility and they wore orange shirt and pants. I would work 12 hour shifts overnight mostly, it was 4 PCAs, and 1 other nurse for about 50 beds, 10 female beds and 40 male. We had a lot of regulars. It was busy, we would deal with fights, people were inebriated, they would have medical conditions, like diabetes, or HTN. We had scheduled med passes, alcohol withdrawal protocols, dressing changes, injections, lots of charting. We had cameras everywhere. A lot of our patients had a lot of psych issues as well so we had to protect our selves at all times. My husband feared for my safety working there, but I had security guards in the bldg. and our PCAs were mostly big males. I know its not a jail but it sure seemed close to it. I would suspect it to be similar.

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Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.

I've worked many different jail/prison settings. If they have med aides you will be doing sick call, helping with the doctor, wound care & etc. if they don't you pass meds & do sick call as well. You also have to respond to any emergencies. At least that's how it was at the different places I worked. I feel it is a lot less stressful than LTC & I've worked both. Yeah, you have to deal with a lot of inmates but unless they come to medical/put in a sick call/see the doctor, you really don't have to deal with them as much as a resident in LTC.

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I had an interview at the local jail about a month ago. They told me it was a very interesting and rewarding job. But that you really have to have tough skin. Especially as a female. The director told me all kinds of stories about what the inmates will do or say to you. She also told me about the well behaved inmates who later in life would thank her for bringing to their attention that they have HTN, Diabetes, etc. Basically told them things about their health they never knew because they rarely saw a Dr. I decided it wasn't for me. But if you don't mind caring for new people every shift (they are in and out of jail frequently) and if you don't mind having inmates say dirty things or call you names then I think it would be a pretty cool job. Plus you are working for a government job and that can be good financially and for holidays.

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Specializes in LTC, Memory loss, PDN.

have you browsed the "correctional nursing" forum

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Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.

I never had inmates do or say anything disgusting in a jail setting. However, in the prison - especially ad seg - they were crude. You do need tough skin because sometimes the inmates think they can walk over you. I have had that happen. I never let it both me. I always put them in their place if they stepped out of line.

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I worked in a level 4 facility in SC. It was awful. Talk about a spirit killer. I heard so many nasty things & saw so many memberes. I didn't want to do anything with my husband when I 1st started that job. I used to work nights 12hr shift. It was passing meds in lock up, asst w/ sick call handle what ever "emergencies" that might occur, pill line & diabetics in am. I don't recall any just the occasional inmate trying to get up to medical for headaches " I think my pressure is high". The work load was really easy. It certainly makes you appreciate your freedom. Just don't try to find out why the inmates are there because that will make you even more nervous. For the most part the inmates were respectful. They seemed to be facinated by my hair(I have really locks that I used to wear up). So alot of the conversations used to center around that & the fact that I was pregnant about 7mths when I started that job. But the kicker for me was when I was "dashed"(cocktail of urnine, feces, probably spit, semen & blood since he was a cutter, thrown on me) by one of the inmates. That's when I knew it was time for me to go. That was my experience. Don't let that deter you. I guess it's like every where else, you have to find the right facility. Like I wrote earlier the work load was great on nights. Good luck to you whatever you decide.

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Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.

Oh yeah, when I worked at a prison I saw memberes on a daily. But thankfully the inmates were nice to me, I never got anything thrown on me. It takes a certain kind of person to work corrections. What I like about it is that you don't have to play nice. If an inmate is rude, you can send them out & you don't have to bite your tongue about it.

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I worked in a level 4 facility in SC. It was awful. Talk about a spirit killer. I heard so many nasty things & saw so many memberes. I didn't want to do anything with my husband when I 1st started that job. I used to work nights 12hr shift. It was passing meds in lock up, asst w/ sick call handle what ever "emergencies" that might occur, pill line & diabetics in am. I don't recall any just the occasional inmate trying to get up to medical for headaches " I think my pressure is high". The work load was really easy. It certainly makes you appreciate your freedom. Just don't try to find out why the inmates are there because that will make you even more nervous. For the most part the inmates were respectful. They seemed to be facinated by my hair(I have really locks that I used to wear up). So alot of the conversations used to center around that & the fact that I was pregnant about 7mths when I started that job. But the kicker for me was when I was "dashed"(cocktail of urnine, feces, probably spit, semen & blood since he was a cutter, thrown on me) by one of the inmates. That's when I knew it was time for me to go. That was my experience. Don't let that deter you. I guess it's like every where else, you have to find the right facility. Like I wrote earlier the work load was great on nights. Good luck to you whatever you decide.

Um, ok. That whole "dashing" thing just scared me out of ever applying to a correctional facility.

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Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.
Um ok. That whole "dashing" thing just scared me out of ever applying to a correctional facility.[/quote']

Don't let it. Yeah it happens but for as long as I've worked in corrections it has NEVER happened to me. Ever. I've learned if you're cool with them, they're cool with you.

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I worked in a small county jail for three days and that was enough for me! The place stank to high heaven...and was even worse on the cellblocks and pods. All of the unwashed people crammed in together was just horrid. The men would yell all kinds of nasty things and speak very disrespectfully to me. The women were just as rude. I was required to pass meds I had not pulled and that worried me. The other LPN, who was the site director, ignored the rules and handed out Tylenol and Ibuprofen like candy. She played favorites and was never "firm, fair, and consistent". I refused so the inmates hated me. There was never an officer around when i did sick call and there was two locked doors between the nearest officer and where i was with the inmate. I felt unsafe the entire time.

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