momamma

I came from corrections nursing. Most facilities don't consider you as much more than a pill pusher. And correctional facilities--although they provide patient care--are not considered to deliver acute care like that of a hospital. Found that out when I took an interest in travel nursing. Work there but PRN at the hospital to keep your options open. It took hell and high water for me to get a hospital job after I worked at a prison. Plus you need med surg experience, I think, to be a good well rounded nurse.

Well, in my earlier post I was referring to people in the prison system that fake seizures and how to recognize them. It was never an attempt to be personal and state that what I have experienced is the only truth about a seizure disorder. I was speaking specifically about people that purposely fake a serious illness just because they can. So, if you would like to refer to someone as being ignorant, refer to them for thinking they can get away with it. Its a discussion. Not an attack. Remember, I don't know you. Regardless of the fact I would never refer to you as anything other than your name.

Okay, now a seizure is one of those illnesses you can truly spot when you have a faker. People who are having an active seizure will have these things: Elevated BP, elevated pulse, low 02 sat and not be aware of there surrounding or whats going on. In most cases they will urinate on themselves. Not always but most likely. First thing you need to do is a sternal rub. A person who is truly having a seizure will not react. Also hold their hand over the head and drop it. If they avoid the face when it falls they are aware of what they are doing. IF the vitals are fine then most likely so are they. We had fakers where I used to work all the time. They wanted to get out of the zone so they faked it. When they were told that seizures were very identifiable and given a write up the number of siezures in our facility decreased tremendously. Don't be taken advantage of. Know true signs.

Both. Our ER is typical in that it, of course, is for emergencies. We get the heart attacks, strokes, seizures, Head injuries, broken bones, all that jazz--and stabilize the patient. Our med surg is very basic so if we need to send them out we do but if we can handle them we keep them in our in patient area. We are, however, not a hotspot for this so the true experience I could have in a year, I don't. But I can do pretty much whatever is assigned to me. I'm willing to try new things and if I shadow someone I retain my teaching almost instantly. And I'm flexible. I can work any shift and go anywhere. Plus by being in a prison most decisions are made by the nurses. We don't have a doctor at night. I know I could do hospital med surg and ER but corrections get a bad wrap.

So, I've been a nurse for approximately two years now. Started in a skilled nursing facility but wanted more hands on nursing experience. Went to corrections and have been there for approximately a year and a half. Now I want to move on to travel. Problem is that no one really wants to pick me up because corrections nursing does not seem to convert well due to its not considered a hospital setting. I'm ready to do more. I do ambulatory, ER, and psych. We also have a 13 room med-surg. I have charge/supervisor experience--add that to geriatric and you have a great package. Can someone please direct me to some great recruiters that can get me out there on the travel scene? I'm flexible to all locations. Thanks. I welcome all advice and info.

Well, actually you have to handle it in a different way. I worked with elderly and mentally ill before and you don't necessarily have to lie. So when the patient asked where her mother was you could say "Well, I haven't seen her around today but if I do I will let her know you're looking for her." That way you don't crush the patient because they truly don't understand and you didn't lie. Plus it gives you an opportunity to redirect them and put their mind on something else. Hope this helps.

My advice to you is to go online to a site like monster or indeed or find a recruiter. They can get all of your skills and qualifications and they (recruiters) have connections pertaining to need so you can be placed in a position suitable to you. The biggest problem I had with corrections nursing is getting hired when I wanted out. No one wanted to hire me because they all thought that all we do is sick calls and pass meds and that is definitely not the case.