cscott1

I agree with RNCCHP, jails do offer a lot of diversity in the inmate mix. You'll never know what's coming in from one minute to the next. I work in a faith based state run prison on the night shift and wouldn't trade my job for anything! A lot depends on where you chose to work and I do agree that state run is much better that private. Good luck!

Doctorita, As a former Navy medic (Viet Nam type) and a retired Army nurse, I will tell you that its 50/50. Either the Reserves or the NG stand a good chance of deployment in today's military environment. The NGs are theoreticaly under the control of each state governer until they are federally acitvated, which seem to happen quite often these days. I don't know that the NG has any more money for schools than the Reserve. I do know that most branches will send qualified active duty members to school. Hope this helps. cscott1

I personally would not place myself (or my patient) at risk by giving or using a medication that anyone else has pulled, much less someone that has had no training in medication administration. Having said that, I have relieved in cases where meds were already on the field that had been checked and poured by an RN. In that case, I believe the RN that I relieve is respondsible for the med(s).

I agree completely, it's a territorial thing. Also, I have run into some nurses who are resistant (very) to any change or deviation from their usual procedure - "we ALWAYS do it that way, it's the way we do things!" or "you're not at XXXX anymore you need to do things our way":banghead: Also, I have found some nurses who seem afraid to share their knowledge in case some one may turn out to be "better" at a particular thing. Any way, after 20+ years thats my:twocents:.

I've been in the OR a little while (20 years) and have always been taught abd always teach new RN's to stay with anesthia until told to proceed with my other duties. The RN usually applies circoid pressure, removes the stylet and is the first line of action should something go very wrong. All this said, remember - its a team effort.:nuke:

I agree with CDSGA, if there is even the remotest possibility that something could be retained - count it. However, there needs to be a bit of common sense in the mix, it is difficult if not impossible to stuff an 18X18 lap sponge through a trocar!

That post got sent before I finished, so here goes. As far as managenent goes, it will help you to supervise a staff of LPN's. I would suggest that if management is you goal, find an assistant head nurse position in a hospital and work up from there. As far as stress is concerned, there is plenty of stress in managenent.

Hi there, I work in sunny Florida and the prision was 1500+ inmates - all female. It is a medium to minimum security prision, so, there are not a lot of "hard core" inmates there; mostly drug offenders and such. Most inmates will be respectful but its a good sign that the officers are courteous. The only way I found how the inmates were treated was by the number of "psych emergencies" due to real or percieved mistreatment. You will have "regulars" just as in any ER and many of them will be seekers. Yes, I am still in corrections as a charge nurse at a county jail, but I'm looking to go to DOC or back to the OR. Honestly, just about any nurseng position is going to be "slammed" these days due to the bottom line mentality.

All I can tell you is that I worked for 6 months in a CCA facility and left for two reasons. First because all too often it was me and an LPN for 1500 inmates (11-7) and secondly because of the way the inmates were treated - like animals. I would seriously advise you to consider long and hard before accepting this position. Good luck in whatever you do!

I got a brief (less than 4 hour) course when I oriented to a CCA facility. Being ex-military and combat trained, I can tell you the coures was of little or no good for pracitcal use. I do agree with the previous poster that medical folks are less likely to be attacked than officers. Having said that, I have had inmates try to go after me during pre-confinement screening. Just remember, its a correctional facility and the inmates are not there becuase of excellent Sunday school attendance.

Signal 20 very mentally ill 10 - 24 Fight or assult on inmate Lock a reginol reference to AD SEG I'll throw in more when I think of them!

You're right, letting your guard down can be disasterous. However, as a member of an OR trauma team responding to trauma in the ER, I have been hit, bitten, kicked nad stabbed (once). Its a matter of being aware of your surroundings and paying attention to whats going on.

As a Christian, as a human being and as a nurse, I feel I must comment on what appears to be a wide sprear perception of inmates. Altogether too often, I hear "all inmates lie, they have nothing better to do than sit around and figues ways to beat the system". Yes, I realize that there are some truley bad people in our prisons (isn't this the reason for prisons?), however, many are people who have made very bad choices or very stupid mistakes. Yet, even the worst inmate is still human and feels all the emotions, pains and hopes that we in the free world feel. Isn't it our job, our calling as nurses to assist people to achive their maxium state of wellness be that physical or emotional? How can we accomplish this if we veiw our patients as sub-human or second class? Now, I am not advocating that we become "best friends" with our inmates, rather that we see them as fellow human beings who need our care, understanding and empathy as much as do patients in hospitals or nursing homes. As a former military nurse and trauma nurse, I have seen manupitlive behaviors in almost all segments of society and have worked with drug and alcohol addicted populations. I suppose that all I'm saying is let's remember that all of (including my self) have made bad choices and stupid mistakes. Lets not be too quick to judge and condem. After all the truth between an inmates version and the courts may lie some where in the middle.

I have worked for CCA in a womens facility and am leaving due to chronic understaffing, lack of necessary equipment and bad management. With staffing at a low, I have worked every weekend since Jan. This was done without even a phone call or any notice. We recently had a code without even minimal equipment. All I can say is that I would not reccomend CCA as an employer.