Prison Nursing

[sidney82]

I was just wondering if anyone out there has or does work in a prison, what do u think of it? Even if u don't is it a good job for a nurse?

I was considering a move to a prison hospital, i've heard its good if you can get your head around working with criminals all day, some of which may have committed horrible crimes but u still have to be unjudgemental and compassionate...

[peds_cna]

It could be an interesting job I suppose, but I would worry about my safety some.

[EricJRN, MSN, RN]

Sidney,

I moved your thread to the Correctional Nursing Forum so that you get the most responses. Good luck to you.

[bngorn]

I worked in LA County Jail for 11 mon, no longer. It's ok, just slow. I am not used to grown men acting worse than my 4 y/o. It's a crazy environment. Remember you are a guest in the Deputies house, they run everything. Make sure you CHART, CHART, AND CHART. Don't get side tracked by the way other nurses chart. It's a good job if you are ready for something slow paced and retirement. Just be careful if you plan to work in the prisons, I heard a lot of crazy stuff about working in there. GOODLUCK

[nancykday]

I was just wondering if anyone out there has or does work in a prison, what do u think of it? Even if u don't is it a good job for a nurse?

I was considering a move to a prison hospital, i've heard its good if you can get your head around working with criminals all day, some of which may have committed horrible crimes but u still have to be unjudgemental and compassionate...

I have worked in corrections for 11 years, I feel more safe and secure than when I worked in the hospital enviroment. In prison you know who the " bad guys/girls are". You are very security-minded in prison and as long as you don't check your common sense at the gate, you are very secure, and you will security around to watch your back.

I had been assulted many time in my hospital career, I have never been physically assulted since I have worked in corrections,

[MadisonsMomRN, BSN, RN]

When I started corrections I had the same issues. I have only been in corrections for 8 months and I really like it. I work in a state prison (with all males) and a county jail. I never thought I would end up being a correctional nurse but it turns out that I really enjoy it.

I do treat them with respect as long as I get the same respect back. I never turn my back on them though. Safety is always the priority.

[Nrsndlz1]

I worked in corrections for 10 years and love it. I feel safer working "inside" than in many other medical facilities. There are many challenges to correctional nursing but it is never dull and you really learn a lot.

[nursinunderpressure]

I work in a maximum security prison. I feel more safe there than I did at the hospital. I know most facilities don't have this, but we each have our own radios, that are assigned to us personally, that have body alarms. So, if I hit the button on my body alarm, they know who I am and where I am and they send assistance immediately. Again, as others have stated, you need to be aware of your surroundings and don't become complacent. I, too, have been assaulted as a nurse.. but not in the prison.

[kixboxx]

I Work In State Prison ,and Feel Very Safe ,show Respect And You Will Earn Some By Inmate/patients And The Officers ,just Always B Aware Of Your Surroundings,and Keep Your Whistle With You

[texascowgirl]

do you work a TDCJ unit or a privatized prison here in TX?

I work in a maximum security prison. I feel more safe there than I did at the hospital. I know most facilities don't have this, but we each have our own radios, that are assigned to us personally, that have body alarms. So, if I hit the button on my body alarm, they know who I am and where I am and they send assistance immediately. Again, as others have stated, you need to be aware of your surroundings and don't become complacent. I, too, have been assaulted as a nurse.. but not in the prison.

[RNLUV4U]

Being a correctional nurse can be a very rewarding expirience. You take care of the same population you would see in any ER or Long Term Care facility the only difference is these people are often times more violent or verbally abusive. No one really wants to die alone, and in most cases you are the person there caring for them when they take their last breaths of life. Corrections taught me some great life lessons. I am now alot less judgmental and loving toward all people from all walks of life. The down side is there is a TON of lawsuits in the prison setting, and the inmates actually WIN! Just chart, chart, chart, and then chart again! I am no longer working at the prison, but will never forget the time that I spent there taking care of those everyone else had forgotten.

[EC l.p.n]

well tomorrow is my interview scared to death never really had a real interview