New Grad

I posted on a topic that was similar a few months ago, Here was my reply:

How does correctional nursing compare to, say, med/surg nursing?

In our facility the infirmary is "med/surg lite" (per our medical director). The truth is...if they need to be in a hospital they will be sent to one.

Can the job be dangerous?

Of course. That being said, I have never not felt safe at the jail that I work at. I have a Correctional Officer or Police Officer there with me at all times. I am never alone with a patient...ever. When doing a study of violence in the workplace...nurses in an ED have much more chance of being hurt than I do. And, if a patient hurts you in the hospital (intentionally or accidentally) they are still always right, and they will have no consequences. There are consequences to bad behavior at my facility.

How would the wages compare to hospital wages? The hospital I work in currently starts RN's in the union off at just shy of $30 an hour.

In my area I get paid more at the jail than I was being paid at a hospital. It may have been because of my years of experience and the specific hospital though.

And any overall pros and cons of correctional nursing.

I love my job. That being said, I do not know if it is the best job for a new grad. I say that because I have put in 0 foleys, 3 IVs and drawn blood 5 times in the last 18 months that I have worked at the jail. MAs do most of the blood draws. I have given lots of shots, and have become a pro at PPDs. So it is not the best place to cement your skills as a new graduate. Also, I feel that you should have strong assessment skills at a jail. I say this because when dealing with manipulative inmates, you often must weed through the extra complaints or information that the patient is trying to tell you to get to the assessment data. Strong assessment skills come from assessing...and you get the most practice at acute assessments at a hospital. My assessments are very focused, however I can do them because of my years of experience at a hospital.

I do not know about CA corrections specifically; however, one of the nurses I work with used to live in CA. She says they are desperate for good nurses, and there are many travel opportunities there. Good luck!

Thank you for information.

I only had 2 months of experience in a Peds clinic and I got hired at a prison. SO EXCITED

nursesabina,

I just got hired at a correctional facility in Arizona and I'm a new grad with no RN experience, so it can happen.