BaseballNut

I just signed transfer paperwork to move from my outpatient psych med clinic job of 3 yrs to the states (Nevada) Dept. of Corrections. The new position is 12 hour day shift in the Mental health unit. While I am looking forward to this new opportunity, it is my first time in a corrections setting and I am feeling quite a bit of "nervous anticipation". I have been around awhile, ER, Med/Surg, out pt psych.....but this is a whole different animal. Anyone I've told responds with "I hope you like it", as if I won't! I really don't know what to expect. I have read the forums here and of course spoke with my interview panel, it has just become very "real" now that I've committed. I am a big guy, 6'00, 215 lbs, but I can honestly say safety and security is one of my primary concerns. Also , the boundary issues. I keep reading how inmates try to "play you" for favors, special attention, contraband.....I just keep thinking about how to be firm and consistent without angering someone to the point they want to "gas" me or put a pencil in my neck!!! LOL(Kinda). Any advice or encouragement is welcome.

I found the most receptive employers were ones where narcotic passing, and hence your narc restrictions, were not an issue; op med clinics, dialysis, corrections, etc. I was able to get a job pretty quickly in OP Psych. It's pretty much a desk job, but the lack of contact with narcs has been very nice as it just doesn't cause me the potential anxiety. Almost 3 yrs in this position and I'm starting to think about a return to acute care in some fashion. Remember, it's all Higher Power driven, you will end up where you need to be!

Congratulations to you! I'm so looking forward to typing the same, 2 yrs and change to go!!!

There IS hope, and rest assured we all have felt like you felt at first. It gets better, I promise. I've been working with the BON x 4.5 yrs and on monitoring >2.5 yrs. At first, totally overwhelming board requirements to go along with the guilt and shame, but it gets better, you get into the grove and the requirements they put forth become the norm; go to AA, nurse support group, call for drug test check in, yadda yadda yadda. Focus on your recovery, commit to sobriety and you'll make it. I still have great frustrations with the BON at times, but then I have to remember I put myself in this position and self reporting likely saved my life!

How is your case going? Did you meet with the board? I too am under monitoring with the NSBN!

I was fired as an ER Nurse and found work in a mental health clinic where my narcotic restrictions weren't an issue. It was a big change but it has allowed me to start working off my contract. Best of luck to you and congratulations on your sobriety. I like being a nurse but I love my life in sobriety!!

This site has been very helpful to me and I have received a lot of encouragement over the years from the other Nurses here. "We" only know what we do, "they" don't understand- peers helping peers, it's a beautiful thing! It is often said how veteran Nurses are cruel to the newbies and we "eat our young", I think Allnurses shows that is not always the case.

Congratulations!!! Becoming an RN is a BIG DEAL and a lot of hard work, you should be VERY proud of yourself!

Congratulations on you decision to become a Nurse. Personally, I chose Nursing as a career as my mother was a Registered Nurse and Nursing and medicine were things we talked about a lot as a child, it was familiar. I also used to visit my mother at the hospital and became very used to the sights, sounds and smells of that environment, it became a comfortable place to be. I am also a very curious person by nature and the human body and humans behavior fascinate me, it's a study that is ever changing and a Nurse has the opportunity to never stop learning and growing in his/her knowledge base. I also love and appreciate the variety of different jobs a Registered Nurse can perform; at the bedside, administration, IT, teaching, etc. The options are limitless and if your someone like me who tends to get bored easily it's never going to be a degree you'll regret. I started as a hospital orderly, then a CNA, then as an LPN/LVN, then finally an RN. I would recommend you do the same for a few reasons. First, starting in an entry level position will place you first hand working with people who are not at their best (sick people aren't on their best behavior) and you'll really find out if that is something you can deal with without a huge time or financial commitment. Also the blood, the stool, the urine, the phlegm- these are unpleasantries that can come with the job at some point and you will need to find out if you can overcome them, not look affected and still care for the patient without becoming one! LOL. Secondly, working in a lower level/entry level position will help you develop respect for those working in the same positions as you advance yourself to the level of RN and you become responsible for delegating tasks to those below you. It is often said, "Nursing is a thankless job", and for the most part it is. Don't become a Nurse to get rich, for fame or glory or because someone pressures you into it. If you do you will become bitter and resentful. Chose a career in Nursing if you believe that it is important to help other humans improve their lives, you desire to help alleviate suffering or you want to make one of the worst experiences in a persons life; failing health, impending death or traumatic injury a little bit better with the love, care and compassion you have the ability to share. As far as long 12 hour shifts, you get through them by getting proper self care; good rest on your off time, nutritious diet, regular exercise, engaging in pleasurable activities and lots of humor. You support you co-workers and they support you. Never forget they are not "my" patients, they are "our" patients and if all on a unit work together, the job gets done, everyone stays safe and you go home exhausted knowing you affected lives in a positive way, Priceless!!! Best of Luck.

We went from hopeless dope feigns to dopeless hope feigns! Life is good! So happy for you!

Got it! Thanks:up:

Please don't follow my example but since 2/2012 when I started the alternative program and daily check in requirements, I have missed check in's 12 x's. I cringe when I think about it! **** happens! I always notify the board and with complete sincerity apologize and offer a correction plan. Our compliance coordinator is quite strict, but so far I have had no additional discipline other than an increase in testing after a few occasions! Like the others I too have a routine, 1st thing when I awake and before I make the morning coffee. It's when the routine is broken that I have the biggest issues...... Take a deep breath, what's done is done and currently out of your control. All will be well!

Do you check in for UDS with Affinity? If so they have a medication guide for meds you can and cannot take.

Someone please enlighten me. I read so many acronyms, what does IPN stand for? Thanks

So happy for you that your journey is heading in a positive direction. It can be a long ardous task at times, and often the ride gets rough, just stay the course , pray to your higher power, be brave and hang on. It does get better and you will get through it, we will get through it(I often remind myself of the same)! Congrats on todays great interaction with the BON!