cynforgiven

I've worked at 2 different correctional facilities - one on the county level and one for the state, both for just over a year each. I loved one and wish I was still there but hated the other with a passion. The actual nursing job itself was great at both facilities: the way the routines were set up, how inmate care was handled, the basic things that go into your nursing job pretty much anywhere you go. Aside from the specifics of the job, the treatment i received from my coworkers (mainly the security staff, but sometimes partly the others in medical) at the one i hated was the only reason I left. I was made to feel that i couldn't do my job or that the way i did it was wrong. I was given no training other than "this is what you do and when". Orientation lasted about a week.No security training and no reassurances that security would have my back. Rarely was there any security officers in medical, even when there was a doctor or dental call. I was even locked into a women's dorm "accidentally" while the officers claimed they had no idea i was there. At the other facility, I never felt safer. There was always an officer present when an inmate was in medical - and if the inmate was known to cause trouble there may be 2 or 3 officer that would happen to "make rounds and grab a cup of coffee" at the time. My supervisors were constantly helpful, answered any questions, and supportive of the nursing decisions I made. My orientation there was 3 months: a month attached to another nurse learning the routines and procedures, and 2 months flying solo but with another nurse watching over my shoulder to make sure i was comfortable and getting the hang of things. At the 6 month mark i was assigned a "specialty" - each nurse had a different assignment: tb tests & setting up treatment, HIV, chronic illnesses, lab draws, etc. I learned a LOT about nursing in general while working there and miss it greatly. Don't discard the idea of correctional nursing because of a bad experience. Just like one hospital or nursing home is different from another, another correctional facility will have a totally different set of people working there which puts a different spin on how your job is carried out. @MiaTrace: Out of curiosity, what did you decide to do about your job?