howardsgirlfriend

Too many inmates are being called out at one time, if they have the time to engage in that type of behavior. Can you reduce the number of inmates waiting?

The culture of corrections nursing is different than acute- and long-term care. There. I said it. Most of us probably have mean co-workers, but corrections culture is fundamentally different, and if you can understand and adapt, both you and your inmates will benefit. In case you're wondering whether I know what I'm talking about, here's my history: 33 years in nursing, 29 of them as an RN, 18 years in acute care, and 13+ years in corrections. I have worked in a jail and two prisons, at both staff and management positions. I currently work at my state's "big house." Corrections culture differs in several ways, that make even nice nurses seem "mean." Like it or not, that's how it is: Directness. In corrections culture, the only effective way to communicate is the direct approach. If you need assitance, say that; don't use the indirect approach, which goes something like this: "So, how's your shift going? Are you busy? I'm just swamped...." Preparedness. We have to be prepared to respond to any type of emergency. In order to maintain that preparedness, we have to perform our routine tasks as effeciently as possible. My facility could have a "man-down" at any moment, and I have to be ready. I can't afford the luxury of relationship-bonding activities, such as taking breaks together. This is also why I try to avoid saying anything like, "I'll look into that," or "Let me see what I can do," when there's an established process already in place to address a problem. If I'm spending my time and attention on issues that could be addressed in some other way, I'm not prepared to react to the unexpected. Plus, if I don't follow up, I lose credibility. Better to say, "I can't help you with that--you need to send a kyte." Inmates as second-class citizens. At least in the US, and particularly in female-dominated activities, we like to pretend that "we're all equal here." In acute- and long-term care, we even put our patients on a level higher than our own. In corrections, staff MUST outrank the inmates. We have a paramilitary culture, and like it or not, that means inmates are at the bottom of the heirarchy. This is not good or bad; it just is, and the sooner you adapt to this, the better. Furthermore, the inmates understand and expect this, so THEY don't take offense at what might feel like rude behavior to you. In fact, if you try to treat them as "equals," according to the acute- and long-term care standard, they might think you're attracted to them, or at least naiive and vulnerable to exploitation. In my experience, this process is often where nurses who are accused of "being too nice" are falling short. Boundary issues, and finding ways to be therapeutic without boundary violations. Of course, you can't do all the easy things we do in acute- and long-term care to make our patients feel better. We can't give them a hug, an extra snack, or a phone call that isn't authorized. It's a challenge to find ways to maintain the therapeutic relationship, while avoiding boundary violations. Some staff can't do it, and try to keep themselves safe by being mean to everyone.

As a former IV nurse, I learned to use a T-connector or other type of microbore extension set when starting the IV. These little extension sets make changing the tubing so much easier (and safer.)

I'm so glad you're going to nursing school. I've been an RN since 1982, and not once have I ever regretted it. Just keep coming to school every day, and don't let anxiety get the better of you. Of course, some days are better than others. If I could have kept my anxiety under control and not had to work parttime (which left me chronically sleep-deprived), I would have enjoyed school more. One of my biggest obstacles to enjoying school was that my boyfriend used to undermine my efforts. Identify for yourself people who can give you the encouragement when you need it the most.

I think you handled this very well. It would have made a difference to me if it were a life-threatening emergency, but I sure wouldn't give anyone but my immediate family a B-12 injection. Besides, my employer's liability insurance sure wouldn't cover me.