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Good luck on that interview, Lisa! Glad we are of help. Let us know how it goes. Lorry

Hi, Mia: My opinion is a bit biased since I am one of the authors of the book you mention. It was written with you in mind - a nurse new to corrections who wants to ramp up quickly. I am not permitted to advertise a blog on this site but if you google the name of the book you should find a blog by that same name. There is a tab on the blog with information on a special discount that will get you $15 off and free shipping. Best wishes on your journey into this wonderful specialty! Lorry Schoenly

Let us know how it goes, Julz!

If you could, would you post your original information on interview questions over on the Interview thread? Many newbies check that thread when preparing for a corrections interview and your experience would be quite helpful! PS- Best wishes on getting the job! PPS-Always think possible drugs and alcohol on-board when assessing.... especially in a jail setting!

This week I was interviewed about the Bad Hair Bandit case and correctional nursing boundaries with patients. I must admit, it was an interesting take on the events. You've heard the story, right? Seems the bank robber was a nurse for a time at the prison where her recent and much younger husband was an inmate. Here is a link to the story http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/08/19/MNVN1KP790.DTL What are your thoughts on boundary issues with inmate-patients? My take is that it is similar to boundary issues in any setting but we have to add in the higher level of manipulation with the inmate population. Did you receive any education about boundaries when you oriented to your position? Do you think there should be more emphasis so that nurses are not drawn in to inappropriate relationships? Lorry

Congrats on getting the new job! Keep us posted on how you are doing.....

Derme2000: Thank you so much for your kind words. I am so excited for you! You did a wonderful job of preparing and it made all the difference. Although this thread and correctionalnurse.net helped, you did the heavy lifting and prepared well for the interview. I hope you get the job and keep us all posted on your orientation and the new things you are learning. Also, if you have ideas for posts on my blog, be sure to comment or send me a message (email is in the 'about' section.

I have seen several ways to account for sharps. The best is to have a double lock on the long-term supply and take out packs of ten for use. This is for sharps such as needles and syringes. There is some type of log to draw down the active supply so each is accounted for. When using sharps for procedures, a list is counted before and after the procedure, then again after sterilization or other cleaning process. Always with signatures like with narcotics, as mentioned earlier.

Congratulations on joining our great specialty, Evelyn. You'll do will with a psyche background. ER nursing experience helps, too ). Uniforms and medical records are specific to the system so I can't comment on that. Hopefully someone working CDRC will chime in. However, I'm sure you will be getting some sort of orientation. Check your acceptance letter for info on your first day or call your recruiter contact about it. When do you start? You are likely to work in a clinic-type setting where there will be a med room and some exam rooms. There should be some sort of private nurse area for charting. All the rooms are general locked for security. Did you not get a facility tour during your interview? I am surprised that so many of these questions were not answered during your interviewing process. Many of them are HR related and centrally managed. Lorry

Great questions to add to our prep list! These are key inmate-patient disease issues. Thanks for sharing them and glad this list was helpful to you! Lorry

This is an awesome thread! I just re-read an article on nursing autonomy in corrections. We have to initiate great autonomy in practice due to being 'the only game in town' on so many levels. Kudos for your fine work!

Kudos on 3 interviews this week! I'm hopeful that one will be a good match for you. I always advise that you be observant of the security operations during your interview to affirm that the environment you will work in takes your safety seriously. A good entry evaluation and plenty of officers in the healthcare area indicates safety. Look for a good relationship between healthcare and security staff. Are they courteous or abrupt with each other? All things considered, go with the position that has the best working relationship with the officers. Usually that means a better running, more effective operation. It is always a good idea to ask about orientation to the security environment and the nursing functions of the position. They know you are new to corrections and wanting a good orientation is always positive. Sometimes nurses coming to corrections from LTC can come across too 'touchy-feely' for the corrections environment. Think about ways to identify that you know the patient population is different and that you will need to alter your 'caring' behaviors to match the new environment. Ask for suggestions as to how to quickly accomplish this. About your bra: Yes, it may alarm the detector. In that case, they would bring out a female officer to pat you down. Can be embarrassing and time consuming. You may want to invest in a new bra for the interview. If you are serious about corrections, it will be a good investment. Since I'm not as well-endowed as you, I don't know if you even have another alternative to under-wire (LOL), but maybe others on this list have experience to share with you. I am not able to list my website on this forum, but if you look at my profile you will find my link. I have a job interview section that you might find helpful and also some information to help you ramp-up quickly on the patient population. Best regards on the interviews and let us know the outcomes, Lorry

I'm sorry I missed seeing this - tell us how your interview went. There is a thread about possible interview questions on this forum, which might have been of some help. If you remember any of your interview questions, maybe you could add to our list

I am used to a system like Danielle mentioned above. Chronic care meds aren't charged but sick call and OTCs were. There is also OTC meds available through the commissary.

As long as you only give out meds that you yourself prepare, you should be OK. However, you are right to be concerned because there is more opportunity for error, especially if you don't label the packages clearly with name and ID#. You should not administer medications that another nurse has prepared nor prepare more than the immediate med pass. Kudos for your caution....always a good thing!

This is a great supportive group and I'm glad you found benefit in your interview prep! Keep us posted on how things turn out...

Wow, great info - Who knew????

In the facilities I worked at the nurse did the BG readings rather than self by the inmate. Might be a good policy to do the reading yourself after a very high reading done by an inmate.

Cavity searches for custody purposes that do not benefit the patient in any medical way should not be done by health staff who are also responsible for inmate population healthcare. NCCHC Standard I-03 - Forensic Information Health services staff are not involved in the collection of forensic information except when....conducting body cavity searchs...when done for medical purposes by a physician's order. A medical purpose might be that the item could cause a medical condition if left in place, or the patient is having symptoms of an overdose that could be due to a 'stash' in a cavity being absorbed, etc. Lorry

I was thinking about my Baltimore jail parking advise and wanted to add that, although it should be relatively safe in daytime, you should still be savvy and alert on the street...as in any urban area. Lock all your valuables in the trunk. They probably already told you not to take much into the jail. Usually, I make it a policy to only take in my car key, drivers license, and any papers needed for my visit. Less to deal with at the security checkpoint. Someone should meet you there to walk you in. If you are interviewing with Francis, Kim, or Robbin, tell them how you know me and that I send my regards :heartbeat

You're on your way, Girlfriend! The field is wide open and we are looking for enthusiastic folks like you! Let me know if there is any way I can help your journey :yelclap:

Is this interview in Baltimore? I can't remember. If for the Baltimore Jail, park on the street with the meters between the Jail complex and the Youth Center. Staff don't park there because of the meters so it is often open and it is a safe street. Bring a few quarters and you'll be fine :-) (Disregard if I got you mixed up with another forum poster )

I heard the Maryland Prisons re-scaled their nurse pay recently with a market comparison. Let us know what they offer you. Good luck on that interview! There is a thread here on common interview questions for your review. Lorry

OK! I know that the State of NY has some regulations not required in other states. Looks like you found a good resource.

Hi, Judy: Is your facility NCCHC or ACA accredited? If so, find the standards book and look up 'clinically ordered restraints' or 'restraints for medical purposes' for some specifics. Generally speaking, it should be determined that the patient is exhibiting behavior dangerous to self or others as a result of medical or mental illness. Your policy should spell out when restraints are permissible, obtaining a physician order, and nursing responsibilities for the restrained individual. Welcome to correctional nursing! I hope you find a home in this specialty