Never done correctional nursing; have a few questions about getting into it

[Agent_Smith]

Hello all,

Been a nurse for 8 years in the hospital setting. Had other jobs within the hospital prior to that for a few years.

Have a few questions about correctional nursing:

This may not be the best reason to take an interest in correctional nursing, but I have heard that these jobs are government jobs, and that most government jobs offer VERY good retirement plans - some even offer a full pension.

Does your job offer a pension? And/or any other benefits that are worthwhile? Is the health insurance decent?

I read one of the other threads in this forum which discusses the things nurses enjoy about the prison setting, and found it very helpful. If there is anything anyone would like to add to this thread about the "pros" of your job, please feel free. Also, what do you NOT like about correctional nursing?

Have you ever been attacked by an inmate? Is this common? Do you see much corruption/inappropriate behavior among the guards or other staff?

Do you see a lot of turnover among the staff (nursing or otherwise)?

Are you usually the only nurse on duty during your shift, or are there other nurses present as well? Is an MD hard to get a hold of if/when you need him/her? What are the MDs like? What is the charting like?

Is there any significant difference between prison nursing and jail nursing?

Finally, how do you apply for a job in correctional nursing? Is it best to go to the prison in person and ask for a nursing job application? Do most prisons have websites through which you can apply? I really don't know where to even look.

I apologize for the number and length of my questions.

Thank you very much in advance!!!

[Orca, ADN, ASN, RN]

Does your job offer a pension? And/or any other benefits that are worthwhile? Is the health insurance decent?

We have a pension, plus health insurance. When the economy got bad, they increased our deductibles and our premiums. We have yet to get back what we had.

I read one of the other threads in this forum which discusses the things nurses enjoy about the prison setting, and found it very helpful. If there is anything anyone would like to add to this thread about the "pros" of your job, please feel free. Also, what do you NOT like about correctional nursing?

As a medical administrator, I have run into situations when facility administration, who know little about medicine, try to dictate how we operate. Some of their demands are unreasonable.

Have you ever been attacked by an inmate? Is this common? Do you see much corruption/inappropriate behavior among the guards or other staff?

In 16 years behind the fences in the medical profession, neither I nor anyone who I have ever worked with has been attacked. We aren't left alone with inmates, and if an inmate ever did make a move, he would be kissing linoleum in a split second.

I have many stories of inappropriate behavior. Only part of it involves correctional officers (just a hint: Using the archaic term "guards" won't win you any friends in this environment). I have seen a lot of people get compromised over the years, many of them veteran correctional employees who you would believe would know better.

Do you see a lot of turnover among the staff (nursing or otherwise)?

Nursing turnover isn't as much as there used to be. This is a relatively secure field of employment, and adjustments have been made in salaries to make us more competitive with private employers. Correctional officers are another matter. There is a lot of churn in that area.

Are you usually the only nurse on duty during your shift, or are there other nurses present as well? Is an MD hard to get a hold of if/when you need him/her? What are the MDs like? What is the charting like?

Two of the facilities in my region run with a single nurse at night. My current facility is too large for that. We have providers on call after hours/holidays/weekends, so it isn't difficult to get orders if you need them. Like anywhere else, there isn't a straight answer to what the doctors are like. Our charting is all on paper.

Is there any significant difference between prison nursing and jail nursing?

The main thing is that the inmate turnover in jails is much higher. Another difference is that many jails (and some states) use contracted medical companies to provide employees, so you don't have the security of a government job.

Finally, how do you apply for a job in correctional nursing? Is it best to go to the prison in person and ask for a nursing job application? Do most prisons have websites through which you can apply? I really don't know where to even look.

My state has a jobs website, but it isn't specific to prisons. Every correctional agency I know of has a website. Some allow you to apply online, others (like ours) direct you to another website where you apply. I see no benefit in showing up in person. Many agencies have gotten away from paper applications, and you can only apply online.

[Agent_Smith]

Thanks, Orca!