Carebear06

ED is my first choice, but that door has been closed for now... This is the first thing to come my way in 2 months of job hunting. It has been really difficult. So I can't just wait around for an ED job, as a new grad it's hard to get into. My first place was retarded for firing me b/c IL was slow in producing my license..that's not my fault. I am a RN. I guess I will just see how it goes and be honest with my employer about how I feel about the job once I get there. I am working for a staffing agency, so perhaps they'd be able to find me a different job if I didn't fit into correctional nursing. There's a chance I'll like it though too...who knows... Would this experience help prepare me better for ED nursing, or would it limit me? I don't know what kind of skills I will be using often. I know I have read a lot that assessment becomes key... which it would be good to build up my assessment skills.... But other than that and passing meds, what do correctional nurses do? How common are actual emergencies? What kind of actual patient care do you get to do?

:uhoh21: I've been reading through the different topics/posts here much of tonight trying to figure out what my job might turn out to be like. Now I am not so sure. I am having mixed and uneasy feelings. But the pay is good, I'm not a 'typical' new grad and like doing unusual things... I'm just scared I guess because I really don't know what to expect...there was no clinical rotation at the local prison in school.... What if I get there and I don't like it? Will it look bad if I quit right away? I'm scared of feeling locked in to the job and not liking it. I know I want to do ED eventually...for a while at least. I'll be a mostly stay at home mom once we have kids. I might like this type of nursing a lot... I really don't know. It could be my niche... I know I can't find out unless I try ... but if I don't like it... is it going to look bad on my resume to have quit? I had to leave my 1st job I got in May after graduation after 2 months due to needing to move closer to family d/t family issues. I got a job here in WI but was fired because of it taking too long to get my license through :angryfire (stupid reason). So now I am trying this job... I haven't started yet. I'm afraid of what will happen if I don't like it... what it would do to my resume...??? :smackingf:

I am a new grad, I just took a job as a RN at a Correctional Institute in WI through a staffing agency and am starting at $23/hr with a review in 90 days where they said I'd most likely get a raise. (I hope that's true). Is this a good starting rate? They asked me how much I was expecting...I've never negotiated wages before so I am not sure if they were/are paying me well or not? Anyone know what new grads get at correctional facilities? Many of you sound as though you've been working there for a while. Also, anyone in WI know what new grad hospital RNs are starting at?

Yeah, I don't think that it has been proven that HIV can be spread through saliva...only blood or fluids containing blood getting into the bloodstream/mucous membranes. Not that I would want to be spit on anyway... does that really happen often? All the harrasment that is being talked about in this thread?

I did take the job. I am waiting to hear from the person who will be my boss for more specific information like on orientation... going over there to see where I'll be working etc. I'm excited but nervous at the same time, more nervous than I was when starting in the ED before. Is there anything special I should do to prepare? I was thinking of taking like a self defense class just in case... you never know. I had thought of it for the ED too. It would at least make me feel more confident. I know it's probably only a small minority that would even try anything... Am I still going to be getting good nursing experience? Or am I doing myself a disservice or limiting myself in some way by accepting this position? I could see it as going either way... I wonder what the uniform is going to be like... I have all these fun scrubs like rubber ducks, noah's ark, animals, flowers... hmm... lol. I have been having so many thoughts swarming through my head about this job. Different feelings. I think mostly though I am excited about it, looking forward to doing something unique and getting a different experience than most nurses get to have. My husband is in the military and is deployed to Iraq right now. When he gets back I'll have to move, so I won't be at this job for more than a year or so anyway... after that I'd like to get into an ED. Plans can always change though, lol. Prison nursing never even crossed my mind! Comments... Advice... Suggestions on how to prepare??? I'd really appreciate it...

Hello! I am a newly graduated nurse as of may. I have had an interesting few months since then, some ED experience etc. Friday I was offered a position to work as the clinic nurse at a correctional institute nearby--through a staffing network. I have an interview tomorrow morning. I have been doing some research online, and came across this message board through that. I'm so glad there's a place out there like this, I'm hoping that you can offer me some advice. What is correctional nursing like? Would it be bad for me to get into this, would it limit my career? I like the idea of having more autonomy, and working in a different environment. I'm not a typical new grad... and didn't want to go straight to med/surg (hence ED). I have worked a free clinic while in nursing school and have a pretty good idea of how the job would be done. The staffing network seemed really excited about my resume and the different experiences I've had. I was in ROTC in college and through that did an internship at an army hospital, working in the level 1 trauma center. Having had military training, I have been 'toughened up' in some respects and feel that would help in a prison setting. I have read through some of your posts and for the most part am encouraged. What would you say to a relatively new grad going into correctional nursing? Is it wise for my career? (My interests are in the ED and maybe Flight nursing in the future....I am also getting my masters in mental health counseling right now and eventually hope to start up a wilderness therapy program for teens/young adults). Is it safe? Is it demanding? Do you like your job? Any advice or knowledge you could pass on would be greatly appreciated. Thanks! Carebear06 :redbeathe