TalldiNY

The application for being a correctional nurse in New York is with NYstate.gov They do use agency personnel to fill empty 'items' or positions. But if you want to work in the NY DOCCS you need to apply to the state.

Our prisoners wear a forest green shirt and pants, so we can not wear green. I wear regular scrubs. All my cartoon tops, as long as they are loose enough. As a formeer rehab nurse all of my scrubs are loose anyway.

Do NOT go into corrections as a new nurse. Give yourself at least 2 years in a med surg environment so your skills are firm! In corrections you are dealing with people with personality disorders continually and your assessment skils have to be sharp. These people have no reason to tell you the truth and a lot to gain by malingering and manipulating in order to get privileges, pain killers, lower bunk passes, many other things as well. There are no good people in prisons. The prisoners are mirrors like all anti social personalities. They are capable of presenting you with what they think you need/want. I have been in corrections in 2 states. once for 6 years and now for 2 in another state. But I had worked for twenty years as an RN when I went in the first time. Now I've done another 20 as a Rehabilitation and physical medicine nurse and in diabetes/dialysis. I can be pleasant but very discerning. Most of these people do not tolerate the word 'NO'. Do yourself a big favor and develop your caring side. There is no need for it in corrections. I do what I can to maintain health and try to do some teaching. There is always the possibilty of a 'golden moment' in time. I came back to it because it really is a clinic type of nursing and my back is shot after 40 years at the bedside and all it involves. I retire next year and look forward to it.

I assure you it is a legitimate job and quite difficult at times.

I am an RN of now 40 yrs of active work. I worked 8 years in corrections in Michigan and then now with the end of my career within site, my back is bad, my feet as well. I have raised a family of three children as a single mom. There are only a few areas of nursing that I have not worked in during my career. Corrections is where I find myself again here in NY. It is the easiest physical job I ever had. I think other notes in this column mention the need to follow both good nursing practice and satisfy security rules and regulations. I would suggest you read up on personality disorders. There are a few rules to remember that I would suggest: 1) There are NO gulity people in prison. They are ALL innocent. (It's a real sad story of the justice system right?) 2) These people have 24 hours a day to figure you out. Believe me within a few weeks they will know what color underwear you have on. My usual answer to every one pushing for personal information is a smile and "You don't need to know that." or a variation of that. 3) I treat them all pleasantly (which they invariably take as a sign of weakness), but I do not tolerate "attitude" or rudeness. 4) Most of them are just looking to pump you for something. They all want drugs and a mother. Your job is not to provide either of them. To cover my own butt I do a brief physical exam on any complaints that involve sore throats, breathing difficulties, and chest pain. If they have allergy- Med D tablets, asthma- referral to the MD/FNP/PA. If it's a foot problem like atheletes foot I make them show me their feet. A great many of the things you see are complaints they would just live with if they had to pay so much as $1 for the service. A good many more are trauma from fights. Rule of thumb on chest pains. If the inmate is under 30 it's not likely. They are likely healthy. It's more likely they are lifting to much weight in the weight pit, doing too many pushups or pull ups. Medication and advice: Ibuprofen and stop excercise for 10 days. Ther is always the possibility they want to be sent out to the hospital.It is like a vacation for these men. 5) You need to be matter of fact and fair. The CO's and the inmates will behave better. 6) You don't come to prison to meet a man. These men are capable of being whatever they think you need. They are mirrors and do not have consciences. See rule #2. There is a reason and purpose for every interaction you have with them. It's a big game and the only problem playing it is that you can end up assaulted or even dead. 7) The CO staff are the only protection you have. (Although the inmates may promise you protection and even set up a scenario where it looks like they protected you to have an edge.)Not all of the CO's are perfect, but you find that in all jobs. 8) Never go anywhere alone, or with a prisoner. Wear your PAD (personal detection device)or your radio at all times. Tell someone ( a CO) where you are going, how long you will be. Dont' cross the yard alone when prisoners are out. If you travel through the tunnels (as my Michigan prison did) be aware of movement and sounds all around you. 9) You are not going to find fulfillment or positive re-enforcement in a prison job. You have to have confidence in yourself and the ability to feel fulfilled within yourself. You are not going to be able to fix any of the problems of the people you are going to work with. 10) Most important rule! Secure your keys at all times! Wear a belt with a key slide for the best control. However I would hardily advise any new graduate to work in a hospital, especially a med-surg unit or ER for at least 2-3 years before attempting Correctional or Forensic nursing. You need that base of dealing with the public, a heavy assignment load to hone your organizational skills and ability to react in critical situations. Things happen on the block or dorm (depending on the custody level you work in) that require you to think fast and do triage. Don't short change yourself. Prison is a completely different world. The best thing there is is that moment when you go through those gates to go home. Practice a happy life outside of work. Don't drink to excess and try to be aware of your own stress levels. Best of everything with your career. If you can think of anything else you would like to ask feel free.

Hello, I have never worked in a hospital where IV K+ was piggy backed as a bolus bag. Always have to have own site, a TLC, or dual acess PICC. Will be interested to hear what others have done. Best of luck. DI

Hello, The last few places I have worked have had the Carenotes system. As a rehab RNwe had to do a lot of pt/family ed. Now I work on a diabetes/dialysis unit. They have good information on procedures, different dialgnostic groupings, medications and "how to's". Use the medlinepluss also.

Hello Mich girl. Lived there for 21 yrs. Children still in Ionia. Anyway, to paraphrase one of my favorite actors "They screw you in the drive thru". I have found over all the decades that there are patients that are never happy. They weren't happy when they came in and they are going home unhappy. Sometimes they have children who are unhappy and taking names too. As I have got older I find I gently confront pt's like that and ask "Would you like a different RN to care for you (your mom/dad/whomever)? I also find that 99.9% of the time they tell me "Oh no!" The other 0.1% of the time I say "Good riddance!":rolleyes:

Hello, As a rehab nurse specialist, I would advise to approach your total care pt from the education of the caregiver viewpoint. Create your goals in family/caregiver teaching..ex: caregiver(s) will do bolus tube feedings and g tube site care independently within 3 days. caregiver(s) will be able to verbalize understanding of dementia process, caregiver(s) will be able to demonstrate proper body mechanics in turns and transfers (skin care, etc ) Even families who place their loved ones in LTC often have one or two members who wish to be able to care for Mom or Dad while they are visiting. They need to understand the why and the how. In that respect a goal could be emotional support for their grieving process.

:wink2:Just an aside to you as gentle advice. :wink2:Don't take work home with you. I count the trip home as "detox". I turn on the classic rock or a comedy cd and turn it LOUD. By the time I get home I can be a happy, relieved and 'not nurse' family member. It took me 30 yrs and mutiple stress related health issues to learn a simple life motto. Do the very best 110% job of being a nurse you can while your there. When you get in the car to go home you are not one. I further isolated myself by going to 12 hr shifts. This way I have 4 days to just be Di not DiRN. Best of Luck. Di

Leave your religious beliefs at home. Keep them private. If a patient brings their philosophy/beliefs up to you always acknowledge them as being important. It doesn't matter if they believe in a tree god, faith helps heal. I have joined in prayer with a patient and family ath their request. I also would not have had a problem saying noA hospital is not a place to preach on your perceived need to "bring people to God." The Lord understands that such a change needs to take place when a person is not under stress. When they can truly think and receive. You can always refer the patient to a chaplain if they say "yes" to the question. Otherwise keep it professional not personal.

NEVER assume someone else has done the work. Better to go ask that person if it is done or going to be done. You need to be independent if you are on nights. There is team work at least where I worked over the years. But it is not a shift where you can depend on others to do the work. The biggest advantage of the shift is the lack of "suits" around. It could be you just had/have a person who is lazy and/or trying to push work on you. On the night shift the ultimate authority is the shift supervisor. If talking to this other RN doesn't work go to the supervisor and then your unit manager.

I have always, always refused to be called in 'On Monday" for something without being told what it is. I personally would call the union rep and tell him/her you want a reason for this meeting.

I am concerned that you can't seem to spell. Not to be mean but is there a reason for that that might be related to these narc's? Often a person is more impaired than they realize. Insight is not something that works well for those who are impaired.

Worked corrections for 7 + yrs. They are not likely to take someone with a pre existing medical condition to work "inside". You are at great risk while you are in there. Whether people want to acknowledge that or not. Also think of the type of people who are in there. There is no way to be friendly with them. That is a weakness. If you are good with a "stone face", able to be civil to scum, and able to say "NO" and do what is necessary the money is very good. But once that gate goes shut you are not in Kansas any more and it does affect you. I didn't realize how much until I got out and worked with hospital patients again. One good benefit was that I don't intimidate anymore under any circumstances!!!