Emmyzsis

If you notice a continuous high turnover or constant hiring at a specific facility, maybe you should investigate more. Facilities that invest in experienced staff and offer comprehensive training are the ones to aim for. Typically, correctional nursing has a higher base pay than other facilities. Correctional health offers it's own challenges and rewards that can not compare to any other nursing specialty. Speaking with current or former employees would be ideal, though that may prove difficult. Also, nurses, as a rule have a caring nature and find difficulty with the boundaries that are NECESSARY in this field. The population served can be extreme; addition, mental health, suicidal, homicidal, manipulative, bored...the list is endless and medical staff HAS to be alert. If the detention staff and/or the medical staff are not supportive of the front line, then seriously consider applying elsewhere. High turnover or continual hiring would be a big red flag for me....I first went into correctional healthcare in 2000.

Having worked through a contract company in correctional health as well as through a local health department staffing contract, the use of LPNs varies with several variables being considered. The smaller the facility, the fewer LPNs. Currently, I work in a very large regional jail system that encompasses 3 facilities, the largest housing approximately 2000 inmates. Your background will certainly prove to be a valuable asset in the correctional environment. In my experience, LPNs are primarily used in med passes and assisting the RNs. I've worked with several new grads in corrections that often burn out or find that they have great difficulty trying to find public jobs later. Correctional care is so different than public care. The more experience one brings with them, the more successful they will be. We are extremely hesitant to hire new grads for permanant full time positions. One needs to be very good at making rapid, solid decisions. A naive nurse is a liability for themselves as well the staff. Inmates, though frequently very thankful for the care they receive, are extremely manipulative as a whole. There is also a much greater population of people with serious, untreated, out-of-control mental health cases in addition to the addiction syndromes. In searching for a corrections position, be very proactive in the type of responsibilities you want. While having the counseling background may give you an edge in the hiring process, it may not have anything to do with the job. Passing meds all day, every day, can become mundane....and limiting in your career path. Hope this rather lengthy response is helpful. Good luck!

I work for CCS in North Carolina. My salary is based on my education and years of being licensed. The pay is the best in this area, however, the benefits nor the management/working environment are not. Depends on which is more important to you. A co-worker of mine works at more than one CCS site in NC and she says things are markedly different between the two, the other site being much better. Having had prior corrections experience helped me tremendously when I was hired. Be ready for mountains of paperwork and manual documentation as is a hallmark of CCS. Working only 3 days a week (for non-management staff) allows for plenty of time off but the schedule is not predictable to allow for additional employment and the monthly schedule is usually posted the last day of the preceeding month. Not to sound discouraging, just being frank about our site and wishing I'd known before getting trapped in the income. Hope this helps.