Pros and Cons

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Hi. I graduated from college with a degree in criminology but I want to head back to school to study nursing. My intent is to be a correctional nursing. But I am worried. I've heard that correctional nurses are viewed negatively in the nursing profession. Is that true and, if so, why? Also, what are some pros and cons of becoming a correctional nurse?

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I wouldn't worry about being viewed negatively by anyone... I view nurses that don't do their job, don't help out, and are gossipy and mean negatively, otherwise... same as with anything, there is good and bad... I worked with a nurse who also worked in the jail, she was awesome... and she said that the prisoners were, for the most part, appreciative of her being there as the nurse...

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I once heard someone here say that the prestige of a nursing job is related to how valued the patient population is to society.

Unfortunately, the prisoners, chronically ill, frail elderly and the mentally ill count as the modern equivalent of the biblical "least of these my brethren".

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Thanks. I've always dreamt of working in a prison but I also want job security. So I really think prison nursing is perfect for me.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.

I've never ever heard or felt a derogatory attitude toward prison nursing. It's just that not many nurses want that job.

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"I've never ....felt a derogatory attitude toward prison nursing."

Does that mean you're a prison nurse? If so, could you tell me a little about it? Do you like it? What is the downside of being a prison nurse?

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A friend of mine worked as a nurse at Ryker's Island for many years. She still has an air of authority about her that commands my respect!

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Specializes in critical care, med/surg.

I worked as an LPN in a prison for about a year on the weekends as what they called a medication aide. Frankly I was more concerned about the staff than the inmates! One positive aspect about correctional nursing is that they are either state or federal jobs with excellent benefits! You earn respect in whatever field you are in so just do what you want and be good at it!

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.
"I've never ....felt a derogatory attitude toward prison nursing."

Does that mean you're a prison nurse? If so, could you tell me a little about it? Do you like it? What is the downside of being a prison nurse?

No, it does not mean that. I went to school with a prison nurse (LPN to RN) but otherwise have no personal knowledge of prison nursing. I was just chiming in that correctional nursing isn't necessarily looked down upon by other nurses.

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Thanks. I've always dreamt of working in a prison but I also want job security. So I really think prison nursing is perfect for me.

It is. You have a good degree for many jobs in correctional health care field

if you add nursing.

Follow your own path..... don't worry about prestige, or what others

think etc.

Be aware that healthcare services in prisons are now contracted to private firms in some states.

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I'm curious if your main passion is criminology and corrections nursing sounds good mostly for the job security, good pay and benefits aspect. If so, I'd suggest spending the next few years trying to "get a foot in the door" of the correctional system instead of spending the next few years earning an RN license.

While the initial positions you could get might be really low paid, you're still getting paid to learn more about the realities of the system and actual opportunities there - not to mention that all important aspect of "making connections." Is that any worse an investment of one's time's and lost wages purusing another degree that may or may not pan out? That's a question for you to answer for yourself. But if you decided to pursue an RN license after working in corrections for awhile, your work experience would only increase your employability as a corrections nurse.

I don't want to discourage you, though. If being a nurse is your primary goal, then by all means, go after that nursing license!

Some other considerations... I also don't know how easy it is for "new grad" nurse to get into corrections nursing or how comfortable you might be to start in that role without any other nursing experience. Many people strongly encourage new grads to get at least a year or two of "bedside" nursing experience prior to venturing out to other kinds of nursing roles. Some consider it the "final year" of nursing school since so much is learned that first year working. Also, if you've been out of acute care for a long time and especially if you never worked in it to begin with, it may be difficult to take advantage of other avenuse in nursing if you ever want to change.

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Be aware that healthcare services in prisons are now contracted to private firms in some states.

Thanks. I was unaware of that. I'll definitely look into that in my state.

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