kito4149

I worked in a prison for four years, from LPN to Director of Nursing. What I found is you have to be very careful what you tell the COs about yourself. There are some COs who will tell all of your business to the inmates just to have a conversation or for some vindictive payback because you wouldn't give them an APAP for headache or give them something else (you know what I mean). Believe me, cause it was done to me and I found out from another inmate. That inmate told me the exact info I told the CO so I had no choice but to believe him. So, treat the inmates with respect and they will respect you back. But treat the COs the way you would treat the inmates- firm, fair, and most importantly consistent:idea:.

YOU GO GURL!!!!

Don't sweat the numbers! As long as you understand the rationals, you will do fine on the NCLEX. I used Saunders and my personal opinion is that it is harder than any other NCLEX RN review I've used. I passed with 75 questions. So will you!!

By far, the dumbest happened to me while I was at work. I was looking for some normal saline and I picked up a bottle of 0.9% sodium chloride. I turned to the doctor and said,"We don't have any normal saline only this 0.9% sodium chloride." He looked at me and turned beet red. By the time I realized what I had said he was trying not to laugh in my face. Needless to say, he won't let it die and I have to live with the shame to this day!!! LOLOLOLOL!!

It is very competitive. I had a 4.0 when I got in; I think you need a 2.5-3.0 and you have to pass a couple of tests; you MUST have the prerequisites done before they even consider you (A&P I and II, algebra, microbiology, English comp I and II, general and developmental psych, sociology/anthropology, computer fundamentals and a few I don't remember) And if you don't pass the ATI tests at the end of each semster you will not advance. But my experience has been great- a word of caution:redlight:- you have to stay on top of the reading and out of class assignments and most importantly stay on top of Peds and Maternal Child/OB. Other than that I really hope you get in!!!

WOWOWOWOWOW!!!!! that's what nursing is all about!!! I ALWAYS have to check security about their "medical" skills, they seem to know "everthing" there is to know about nursing. Even though they are inmates, if I feel that something is "not quite right" I send them out too. I am proud to say that the unit I work at hasn't had an inmate die due to the nurses' assessment.

What we do at the facility I work at is to refuse them their meds. After refusing them their meds for a few weeks, they straighten up and don't bother us again. I did something awful too. I gave an inmate his BP meds, which were all white. I looked him straight in the eye and said, "If I were you, I wouldn't take those." Needless to say, I don't have a problem with that inmate anymore!!!

WOW!!!! I can't believe that you were taunted for wanting to become a nurse. Usually men want to become doctors- I guess you are among the few who doesn't have a ego jar to fill. Thanks so much for choosing a profession that will provide you with caring, compassion, empathy and job security!!!

I agree with RN Randy. Stick to your guns. Develop thick skin. Say what you mean and mean what you say and your BS detection meter will be almost 100%. Demand respect, but you also have to give them a little because don't forget, their still human, even if they act like a pack of stupid wolves. I've been at it for almost two years and I wouldn't trade it.

Most of the time I work, I'm alone also. There is ALWAYS an officer around the working imates, ALWAYS. No matter how comfortable I feel around an i/m, there is an officer in sight AT ALL TIMES. Go to your super, cause our nursing "gut" feelings are usually on point.

In this facility, inhalers are OPMs (on person medication). If the i/m uses his inhaler before the 30 day reorder, then he is SOL (**** outta luck). If an i/m has a justified, legitimate script for breathing txs, he uses his neb tubing over again- we don't throw them away- the i/m rinses it out, puts it in a bio bag with his name, rack and i/m id # for the next time. Talk about saving mula!!

The only med we crush here is Elavil. If we know that an i/m is selling or hoarding his meds, we automactically d/c and notify the physician. Also if we feel that an i/m is taking too many meds (ibuprofen, naproxen, Robaxin, and tramadol at the same time 2-3 times a day) and there is no apparent reason, we take them off and talk with the physician.

I've been in correctional nursing for almost two years. It's not the inmates you have to watch out for, it's your co-workers. It is a whole lot less hectic than a hospital, but you will be on your own a lot. Believe me when I say this, correctional nursing is a whole 'nother world in itself!!! ENJOY!!!

I work for CMS in Arkansas. My supervisor IS the absolute best. The turnover is so bad here that she WORKS with your schedule so that you won't quit b/c of too many/not enough hours. Working in correctional nursing is the easiest job. The pay is great, the benefits are wonderful, and you know what you are dealing with day to day. :rotfl:

I am a new LPN working in the system, and I let the inmates know up front the rules and regulations. I also tell them, "You have been here longer than me so you should already know the do's and dont's". I have been working at the facility for 5 weeks and I've only had one run-in with an inmate. But, I learned through clinicals and my wonderful instructor that if you say you're gonna do or check up on something, KEEP YOUR WORD!!! I've seen a number of nurses (esp RN's) tell inmates they will check on something and go back and deliberately tell a lie or don't check at all. I make it a point to tell them the truth because I took the oath at graduation. If I can't get back to them, I give an officer a message to give to the inmates. That's how I earned my respect only after 5 weeks!! WOW!!