medical guarded unit

MunoRN, RN · Mar 24, 2018

Never heard of such a unit. Does that mean it's a medical floor with guards, or a medical floor for patients in "guarded" condition?

Nursingbsn2b91 · Mar 25, 2018

Never heard of such a unit. Does that mean it's a medical floor with guards, or a medical floor for patients in "guarded" condition?

Its a unit specifically with patients from prison

heron, ASN, RN · Mar 25, 2018

Check out the corrections nursing forum. The prison unit in my old hospital was more like a prison infirmary than a hospital unit, except for the acuity of the patients. Learn to work with corrections officers. They, not nursing, will be running the unit.

brownbook · Mar 25, 2018

As others said it is probably a locked door unit with correctional officers and inmates too ill to be treated in the correctional facility infirmary.

I have not worked in such a unit. But I did work with many inmates and correctional officers in our out patient surgery center who came in for GI procedures. The inmates were unfailingly nice and the correctional officers were great, funny, friendly, etc.

Anyway, I don't see any problem, I assume their illnesses or surgeries will be similar to med/surg patients. You may end up enjoying it, or it should be good experience for when you want to transfer to a different unit. Good basic med/surg skills will help get your foot in the door to be an ICU nurse.

Nursingbsn2b91 · Mar 26, 2018

As others said it is probably a locked door unit with correctional officers and inmates too ill to be treated in the correctional facility infirmary.
I have not worked in such a unit. But I did work with many inmates and correctional officers in our out patient surgery center who came in for GI procedures. The inmates were unfailingly nice and the correctional officers were great, funny, friendly, etc.
Anyway, I don't see any problem, I assume their illnesses or surgeries will be similar to med/surg patients. You may end up enjoying it, or it should be good experience for when you want to transfer to a different unit. Good basic med/surg skills will help get your foot in the door to be an ICU nurse.

Thanks! yeah I think I'm just paranoid because I don't quite know what I'm expecting but I am looking forward to finding out more. Wouldn't be surprised if I ended up enjoying it either! Heard a lot of good reviews about correctional nursing at prisons but this one is just at a hospital with inmates.

Neats, BSN · Mar 26, 2018

I have prison experience so I can tell you they are no different as far as their medical conditions than anyone else. With that said there are a few things you must be aware of when you are taking care of this population.

1. Have good boundaries you are not their friend you are a nurse who is providing nursing care to them.

2. Know that many everyday items can be made into a weapon and be used against you, the correctional officer, and the patient themselves (think self harm). Toilet paper can be made into a shank and puncture you.

3. Know your surroundings and what you bring in (needles, supplies) should be accounted for and removed each time you leave the room (I have a female offender sticking her hands in the sharps container before)

4. Know that you are documenting a little more and be precise for there maybe a chance you will get called/be part of a lawsuit and you will be disposed. (I have been deposed over 12 times and have never had any thing come back at me because I do the right thing all the time).

5. Know that little freedoms can hurt you, phone calls are not allowed, extra meals are not allowed (without a MD order), family visitations are not allowed...care should be regimented to prevent maladaptive behavior

and lastly

6. Know that most prison inmates (about 98 percent) have an axis II mental health diagnosis. Once you are aware of this and lean how to deal with people like this you should be fine.