dalgal

Great--that is sort of what we currently have, but DOC wants a more detailed shift report including all intakes, transfers, coumadin patients, etc.

I am trying to update our format we use for our shift to shift hand-off and am having trouble keeping it simple while still including everything. Does anyone have one that they like and are able to share? We do mostly 12 hour shifts but have some 8s too for a small prison system. Thanks!

How did it go? If you haven't had the interview yet, one thing they liked during mine was examples of how I did not allow manipulation... I used examples of my kids trying things...it worked!

I so agree, I started out in corrections right after LPN school and after a yer, when I completed my ADN to get my RN, pretty much everyone was pushing med surg ... I applied and was offerred a position but ultimately chose to stay in corrections because I feel I am where I want to be and get to do things such as blood draws and I.V.s, and especially, I get to work with corrections staff, mental health providers and really have a supportive atmosphere... I think you should go with where you picture yourself happy, not just take the path people think you should take... That's just my 2 cents.... good luck to you!

Yes, often that's true...unfortunately where I live is so rural that everyone knows (or is related to) everyone else so moves have to be made as to not make waves...

Very true I'm sure! This is a lot to mull over... I'm older than the average new RN so I really don't want to rush into anything without thoroughly considering all the major things...

Actually I am leaning towards following nurse hoolootoo's advice on this one to follow what the heart is wanting... thank you all for the comments...

Great points...I think the idea of being more well rounded by working on med surg appeals to me...but the actual job in corrections is very interesting. I"m making up a pros/cons list...just a month ago I had no offers at all, so I don't want to mess this up!

Thanks for answering! At this point, I am interested in the psych part of corrections, and I love chronic illness... I mean renal failure, COPD, etc... so I think I would get a lot of that in med surg, but we also deal with that daily in corrections. I would love to be working in dialysis once I get experience.

This is a nice dilemma to be in but right now it is stressing me out! I have worked for a year in a corrections facility and I really enjoy it very much. No full time position was available as I neared graduation so I applied at a local hospital and was hired into a Med Surg position. I think I would like the staff and the facility a lot (doesn't start for a couple of weeks) but now a full time position is available where I am in corrections... would it be a mistake to not take the Med Surg position now that I'm a new grad RN? And how do I turn down a position to not burn any bridges?

Yes, if you get your license from Vermont, you can work only in Vermont. New Hampshire, however, is a compact state...

Hi! I'm a new LPN as of May of this year, and my first job is in corrections. I love it and my company said that they like both experienced and new LPNs because it's a very different environment for everyone. Good luck to you!

I'm a new grad LPN and have been working at an all male prison for just about two months. I specifically chose to work in corrections for the experience because where I live, LPNs are somewhat limited to nursing homes and home health. I wanted to get some variety in experience -- and I have! We do blood draws, first aid type calls, basic sick slips, some assessment, intakes, and are learning to do I.V.s so, for me, it has fit the bill for a first job. It's also a job with a great deal of autonomy so if you don't want someone breathing down your neck all the time...it's great! The facility, although understaffed, seems to be very patient focused and well organized and I'm extremely happy to be there! I agree that having little experience can put you at a disadvantage in emergencies if you aren't comfortable with first responder duties, however, I'm pretty confident and can handle it so far.

Thank you everyone for your suggestions and tips--I landed the job!

Interview lasted almost 4 hours!! Still waiting to hear! Some of my questions were pretty common: tell me about your personality, how do you handle stress, how do you handle manipulation ...etc... good luck to everyone in the job search!