Oklahoma - seeking info on psych/correctional nursing

Published

Hi, y'all! Signed up today because I was very impressed by this site!

I'm a former Los Angeles criminal defense attorney (female), who retired to the Tulsa area (rural) in 2003. I'm bored with being retired. I'm a youngish 56, and am interested in pursuing a career in psychiatric nursing. Prison/corrections nursing really appeals to me, but so does the possibility of helping in a private or group home setting. Because of my years in criminal defense, I am very comfortable in corrections settings.

The plan I've developed so far involves getting my CNA and HHA licenses, finding a psych-related position, then signing up for the 11-month LPN program offered by Indian Capital Vocational which begins next summer.

I know so little about the psychiatric nursing/correctional nursing fields that I don't even know what's available or where to start asking questions. Could anyone in the area help me out? What prisons and psychiatric hospitals are in Northeastern Oklahoma? What about the private ones? What do they expect as far as training.....will an LPN be enough to get in the door?

Any and all comments and suggestions would be much appreciated. :)

P.S. I've already posted this in the Oklahoma regional section, and the Correctional Nursing section.

P.P.S. I know it will probably sound crazy, but I kind of miss jail/prison. I tell people I used to have a job where I wound up in jail or prison every time I left the house........... Ah, and the aroma of jailhouse cooking......

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LPN, Peds, Public Health.

You can go on the web to Oklahoma State Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse, they have career posting listed there. Its statewide. You can also go to the Oklahoma State Department of Corrections, and I believe they also have career postings there as well.

Welcome to Oklahoma!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

THANKS, PedsAtHeart! I'll check those sources out.

Tomorrow, I will be shadowing a nurse at one of the correctional facilities near me. Am very excited. :lol2:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion