PHNJaymee

Hey friends, i will be applying to Psych NP school. Ive done a lot of research- and the on line programs are a little overwhelming. Looking for some feedback. I have a good feeling about Southern Alabama Univerities program. I like the there is a 3-5 days orientation which will give be a solid foundation of programs curriculum, and the opportunity to meet other students/staff to communicate with throughout. They also lay out their program nicely on-line, and they don't harass you on the phone like many of the others. I have a colleague that just got her DNP program there and she had good things to say. She's solid. Does anyone have any feedback with this program? Or any other online programs (specifically psych NP). I value quality education and ideally would like to attend in class, but i wouldn't be starting for another year. I'm anxious to get started. I really don't want to take the GRE as some require. Ive been practicing RN BSN for over 10 years, mainly in ED and some public health. I feel more than ready. Any feedback is appreciated :) thanks! Jamie

And again thanks so much for all your advice (don't know why, but I didn't see the 2nd page of postings before). I did check out the lockdown video.... thankyou! I haven't been able to see the dorm areas, and more like housing units yet. Crazy stuff!

Hi everyone, Just wanted to check in and let you know how my first couple weeks have gone. Which over all for the most part, has been good. The RN's I've paired up with have all been great. It's deffn. been a big change, but I'm taking it all in well. I was in the Navy before and a lot of it reminds me of the military. Lots of testosterone between the inmates and the CO's, but I do well in that environment. Just been rotating through the different units, and going to trainings. Went through a PSU (assuming that's a universal term- pysch area) unit today and had a great day. Did a bunch of blood draws this AM, and helped with the nurse line (a clinic where inmates come through with minor problems)- although the last 2 lines a guy who went out to a hospital code 3 which is serious... No probs with the inmates personally yet. I don't go out of my way to interact with them, but say hello, and respond when they do. I have been talking to them like normal patients for the most part, and they have responded well to me so far. Anyways.... just a little update! Hope all is well with correctional nursing elsewhere! This site helped me out a lot. I also read the book "Games Criminals Play" which helped tremendously for preperation on the inmates mindsets. I highly recommend it!

Well I was offered the position and accepted! :) 7300$/mos. starting salary at Ca. State Prison, Folsom. That's 87k a year! I'm a 28 y/o single mom and this is my first real assignment. I have been working as a PHN for Sacramento County, but due to a lame azz "hiring freeze"/budget crisis I have been stuck at an intern level (12$ and hour)... that's 1400 to 7300/mos. I honestly can't really imagine what it's gonna be like. I can't wait to pay stuff off! On the other note, I am preparing mentally for the unknown. I just saw this video and wish I didn't of an inmate who killed his mother, and also a prison councelor. But then I read these positive threads and don't feel so bad. Just tired of the negative comments from everyone and glad to hear some people enjoy this job. Does anyone know of that book "In the mind of inmates" or sociopath... something on those lines? Or any recomended psych literature to prepare? Thanks so much for the support guys! I'm soo glad I found this place. And good luck Diego! Sounds like it could very well be in your future :)

Thanks Sharrie, I stuck with the outfit and I think it worked out just fine. I was confident and not too nervous. It was a pretty intense interview, just the whole deal, driving up over that hill and seeing the grounds, and the process of it all. I was interviewed by 2, one supervisor, and the other I honestly didn't know her role, but think she was the manager. I got a mirriad of scenarios from suicides to OD, ER type scenarios, prioritizing inmates from a fight, etc. All in all, I think I did well. They nodded thier heads a lot as I answered, and there was nothing that completely threw me off. One med which I didn't know (she said well.. what will you do?) Of course I said look it up.. And if I felt I didn't know what else to say, I just kept saying, assess, continue to monitor, get help, etc. The most difficult part was not knowing really knowing the setting and what tools I had. They coached me a little, and weren't too hard on me. It was deff. a serious tone though. I'll tell you what, reading these threads could have made the difference between me getting this job and not. Little things like they can't have scisors, pens, anything's a weapon, etc. really helped me word my answers to this settting.. Narcan.... deffinetly got that scenario right. It sounded like there are a couple postitions open, and I guess they're looking for psych nurses too.. So I'll keep em' crossed but do feel confident! Thanks again to all, and I'll keep ya in tune! They told me to call next week as the director is on vacation.

Hello everyone, Just wanted to say thanks first off to all of these wonderful threads! I have been reading them vigorously trying to get an idea what it's really like to work with inmates and I'e really got some good information (more than anywhere else)... Anyways, my question may be silly, but oh well, why not ask with all this wonderful advice. So.. I have an interview as a correctional nurse (RN) at Folsom Prison on Tues. morning. I'm not totally nervous (more kind of excited in a sick way and have no idea what to expect) but my question is, should I dress as if I were going to a regular interview? I am a nice looking woman, get hit on often (not to sound snobby AT ALL)... I am far from that... I just imagine that alone could be problematic in this area. I wasn't planning on wearing a suit or anything, but a nice solid pastel button up with greay slacks and black 2" boots. I wear very little make-up, but do a little, especially if I dress it up for whatever reason (an interview) Any other advice is appreciated.. although I think I'm probably better off just giving it my best without knowing what to expect or having expectations. I've read enough from these threads to give me a good idea of what they probably desire in a nurse on the actual job. So, any advice on the interview dress code? Treat it as any other? Thanks :)

This is such a great story.. I'm a newby here, to nursing, and to corrections. I really like how this story relates to how we learn to use our judgment as a nurse (the gut feeling), to be an advocate (which often times means using the power of the license), and to trust your assessment skills. I have an interview in a couple weeks for a state prison, and I'm learning more from this site than anywhere else. Thank you!

Wow... this is great material. I have an interview as a correctional nurse in a Ca. Prison in about 2 weeks. Very interesting stuff about nurse/inmate relations, and it's definitely making me think. It's hard to find stuff on correctional nursing, and you sure don't learn much about it in school (besides the basic mental health stuff). It's like we're taught to care, and be non-judgmental, but that sounds tough in corrections. I'm gathering that it IS possible to have a nurse/inmate relation (how could you completely not?).. as long as you stick to the boundaries... and keep up the guard. Wow, my head will be tossing all night! Great info though... I'm going to read all these correctional threads.. Thank you!