riverotter

Why don't you start at a facility where you live, so you don't have to relocate. The job isn't for everyone. I have interviewed many people who got so freaked out by the environment that they never came back. No, a civil service exam is not needed. You fill out the application and they "grade" you on your years of experience, and maybe take into account if you have a BSN or not. That doesn't really matter, as the short staffing has resulted in the hiring of even brand new graduates. I think I would recommend starting out in an "RMU" (regional medical unit). There are five throughout the state; they have more services than a regular prison. They have a long term care unit in addition to a regular clinic and infirmary; so you have more of a variety of jobs to choose from . Fishkill, Wende, Walsh, Coxsackie (this one is privatized), and Bedford Hills (female).

Go here and click on Registered Nurse 1/SG-18 . This is the online application. https://doccs.ny.gov/employment/nursing Here is a map of NYS facilities; find one nearest your location: https://www.amc.edu/Patient/services/HIV/edu_subpgs/facilitymapcolor.pdf Fill out the online application; but I also recommend you contact the prison of your choice. Some prisons get you onboard faster than others. It has to do with staffing; some facilities have a better personnel dep't than others and can get you hired faster. Here is the contact information for the facilities: https://doccs.ny.gov/facilities Choose your facility, call the number, and ask for the nurse administrator or personnel. Good luck! Please contact me again if you have any questions, such as choosing a facility. Or any questions at all. All nurses through the state recently got raises, making us competitive with the private sector now. Also, it's a great job.

I'm a Nurse Administrator in the NYS prison system. I loved being a staff nurse, and became a NA to make the world a better place. After 5 years of the stress, I went back to being a staff nurse. I loved that again. I became an NA again because there was a new administration that I thought would be more supportive, but I was wrong again. I'm waiting for my step down date. I love being a staff nurse. I feel so useful and alive. Emergencies are energizing, when you know you did everything you could and saved a life, or even just improved the quality of life for someone. I feel rewarded and fulfilled every day when I am a staff nurse.

I did it once for kicks.... but they want you to restest every year. Forget that! I learned a lot studying for it, but no need to give them my money every year.

Wow, QuePasa, Great description though. PPFD- it's a lot more hands on for nurses in NYS, I think. I highly recommend Correctional nursing . I am also a Nurse Administrator now. Any new grad nurses or NYS nurses looking for work, I would love to answer any NYS correctionsquestions and steer you into/ through the hiring process! As far as being respected, I love to tell people where I work. They think I"m so cool and brave, even though I have COs all over and I feel safer than in a regular ED!

We're so desperate in NY that we take new grads and give them one year of good orientation. The pay is not the best but it's OK. I'll soon have my 20 in and retire with a pension. That is priceless. I also do love correctional nursing for many reasons, it's different than anything else I've ever done in my life. It can be a challenge sometimes, but what specialty isn't ? I like to tell people, most of the time correctional nursing is low-key, but when things happen, they are always interesting!

My mom was an RN who used to work for an agency where she would get 1:1 jobs (I forget what they're called now). She got paid well to sit with an ill person all night in case something happened; sometimes they were sick, sometimes it was hospice. It was a dream job back then. You can't get those jobs anymore!

I would also like to recommend Correctional Nursing. I've worked in Corrections for 15+ yrs as both a staff RN and a Nurse Administrator, at both a medium and a max in NYS. There is a LOT of autonomy! Not only during off shifts when there are no providers, but even during sick call / triaging when it is full blast day shift. There are a lot of emergency situations. Drug overdoses (med and max), slashings (mostly max), chronic care issues, issues of the elderly, of youth, and many acute situations (stroke, heart attack, allergic reactions/anaphylaxis). Things you never imagined! How many times do I hear staff say, "you can't make this stuff up!" It is a place where you will use every assessment skill you have! I have found it a rewarding and exciting field. And yes, you definitely get stories to tell! I like to tell potential hires, "It's mostly low key, but when things happen, they are ALWAYS interesting!" It's a great place for an ER nurse to move on to. And Corrections needs experienced nurses with great assessment skills.

You can get a job with an agency if you don't get hired somewhere right away so there's no gap in employment. Maybe even through the agency you will find something that you like- you can try a variety of different types of nursing and institutions with an agency.

I work in Corrections. I LOVE IT. Best job I ever had in my life. Most of the time it's low-key, but when things happen, they are ALWAYS interesting! Just have to have good assessment skills and some experience, it's not for new grads until you work in med surg or something for a couple years.

I love correctional nursing. I have been doing it since 2003. It is a unique field with its own challenges and issues. And most of the time things are pretty low-key. But when things DO happen, they are always interesting!!!

Thank you, because I asked one (the only) diabetic I know (that I know of) and she said that she gets regular with a doctor's prescription. Maybe that's just so insurance will cover it, then. Thank you.

In the prison where I work, inmates are required to have their own bottles of Lantus (nurses still keep and administer it), but we use stock bottles for regular, 70/30, N, etc. I asked why and was told it was because Lantus requires a prescription and the others are over the counter. Is this true? Anyone can walk in off the street and buy regular insulin at a pharmacy? If not, what is the reasoning here? Thanks.

and don't do what we once got: "To Who or Whom:"

I have thought about what it might be like many times, though I own my home and am working toward a state pension, so I would not leave my job. I look forward to reading about people's experience in the IHS! But I work in a prison, which is another underserved population and very fulfilling for me.