PrisonNurseSara

GO FOR IT. You'll have way more insight into the minds of criminals than I do /did. When I was hired into my prison nursing job over a year ago, one gal in my hiring group had been a PO like yourself. She immediately started off dealing with the manipulation tactics super-well. Simply having 15+ years of interactions with felons / ex-cons will give you a leg up over most of the competition. Good luck to you!

Greetings! I've been in Corrections nursing for just over a year and I love my job. The diverse experience is my favorite part. I graduated with my BSN in August 2009, and unfortunately there was a massive new-grad hiring freeze in my area at that time. I worked two on-call jobs for 13 months after graduation as a home health RN supervisor, but my heart wasn't in it and that whole time I actively searched for full-time, benefited employment. A buddy from school called up one day and talked me into applying in corrections - the rest is history. I am also female, which causes a few issues here and there. I work in a state-run, co-ed (yes, co-ed) prison with a population of roughly 1600. It is the sole women's prison in my state, as well as the Intake Center for men. So on a daily basis I deal with both female and male inmates. User "backtowork" hit the nail on the head with the advice about security vs. medical and manipulation issues. So I'll go a different route with my advice... Always be aware of your surroundings. Use whatever safety equipment the facility offers. In my state, some facilities have the REQUIREMENT that nurses carry a radio at all times, the same radio carried by security (I'm in one of those facilities). I've heard that's not the case across the board though. If you get this job you're interested in, consider a few classes in Krav Maga or some sort of martial arts / self-defense. You will likely never have to use those skills, but if ever push comes to shove, you'll be better prepared. A few questions for you, and things to consider: Do you do well under pressure - not just medical stuff, but in general? Do you communicate / advocate well? Are you OK working with societies "scum?" Can you be impartial and not judge your patients for their actions and crimes? I could go on for a very long time, so if you have ANY questions or want to know what an average day is like, send me a private message or ask in this post. :) Best of luck to you!

I was licensed in my home state for 13 months as a new grad before starting in Corrections. AND I LOVE MY JOB! I worked in home health for the year prior to being hired with Corrections, and although it was great, I was in a supervisory position and craved being a "bedside" nurse. Orca is right in that correctional nursing requires a lot of independence. If you feel confident in your basic skills, definitely consider this rewarding specialty. I received 5 weeks of on-the-floor orientation. After 2 months I was sent to a 40-hour training course specializing in basic administration of healthcare to an inmate population. Then at my 6 month mark I attended a 72-hour training course for basic security tactics, etc.