Questions

jailhousegranny · Mar 18, 2009

Hi J, I am a county jail nurse . I have been here 5 years and I like it. We house around 1600 inmates (all Male) at any given time. We have had as many as 1900 at a time. The county is currently doubling the size of this jail. And medical will be getting an infirmary. Right now we have a full time PA that is here 5 days a week, an MD that is here twice a week and a dentist that is here 2 or 3 times a week. On days staff includes 3 RN's plus the DON and 5 lpns. Nights is 1 RN and 4 lpns. Days also has 2 MA's that assist the MD Dentist and PA. The enviroment here is fairly clean, NOT hospital clean, but as good as can be expected. The inmates are mostly just people who have made a bad choice. There are some who are hard core criminals but not all that many. If you treat them with respect they generally treat you the same. I try to start out that way with every new inmate, but sometimes they are just jerks. The ones that disrespect me get the same in return. I follow the protocall for over the counters and crushing psych meds so some of the inmates get angry. There is always an officer with me so I am not frightened, but we did have a nurse who was badly beaten by an inmate a few years ago. You just have to be alert and wary of any inmate who is too close or too friendly or too Anything. Yes there are nurses who are just mean but we try not to associate with them or encourage them so they don't last long. No the officers do not like it when you are too caring but they do expect you to provide adquate care for these guys because that makes their jobs that much easier. Anyway if you want any more info from me you can email me at [email protected]

familychick, BSN · Mar 18, 2009

I work in a women's prison.

What is the environment like? The grounds have a college campus atmosphere.

How do the prisoners respond to you? Generally respectful

Are the guards supportive of your caring attitude towards the pt/inmate? Some are, some are not

Have you ever found yourself in a dangerous situation and what kind? no

Do you find any nurses that treat the pts cruely? There is one that speaks unnecessarily harshly at times.

How often is a doctor in the facility? 40 hours plus as needed. In addition to being there monday through friday from 7am - 3pm, he calls in every evening.

Do you find the job to be rewarding? yes!!!!!

Jailhouse nurse · Mar 19, 2009

What is the environment like?

How do the prisoners respond to you?

Are the guards supportive of your caring attitude towards the pt/inmate?

Have you ever found yourself in a dangerous situation and what kind?

Do you find any nurses that treat the pts cruely?

How often is a doctor in the facility?

Do you find the job to be rewarding?

I work in the Intake area of our jail, where folks come in immediately after being arrested. The environement is industrial, concrete floors, metal doors, many doors that you either need your badge to open, or must wait for someone in control to open for you. Nothing in the inmate holding tanks can be picked up-with the exception of a telephone receiver to make collect calls with.

The inmates generally respond to me with the same attitude I bring to them. There are some exceptions to that, however, I find that I am much better treated by inmates than I am hospital patients.

The officers are always supportive of our patient care, as long as it does not interfere with security. Security comes first, always, always, always. The officers run the jail, not the medical staff.

I was jumped once by a stupid inmate. Within three seconds, there were ten officers in that tiny cell, pulling the fool off of me. I was given (and accepted!) the opportunity to press charges. That little episode of poor judgement cost Inmate Smith an addtional five years at the Dept. of Corrections. Please know that in private hospitals, I've been kicked, slapped, had items thrown at me, punched, and verbally abused by patients, without so much as an "are you gonna be okay?" by management.

Yes, there are nurses that treat the patients cruelly. They are bullies, and are not respected by officers, inmates, and least of all by their co-workers.

We have a provider on-call 24/7, and a provider (NP, PA, or MD) in the clinic 5 days a week.

Rewarding? Very yes. Occasionally, I will hear an inmate calling to me in the hallway "Miss Nurse! Miss Nurse! You took care of me the last time I was here-thank you!" I know it sounds silly, but it does warm my heart that they remember and appreciate the care they received.

Best of luck to you in your endeavors!

Mary

aknurs · Mar 19, 2009

1. Right now where I work it's overcrowded. Our all male 538 population has risen to 550+ There are more fights between inmates & more frequent attacks from the inmates to the officers. Staffing of officers is short.

2. I treat the inmates fairly,& all alike.. I am not part of their punishment. I have been working with them for over 11 years, now & have had problems with 3 inmates...I am lucky

3. The officers are very supportive, helpful when I am working alone, & will watch my back..& respect my decisions..I am very lucky.

4. There are always dangerous situations,as things can turn sour in a heart beat. Most of the time not...but I always expect the unexpected, to ensure not being caught off guard. It has worked for me for 11 years.:)

5. All the nurses think the way I do. We are not their judge, we are not there to punish them. We are nurses.

6. PA is there 5 days a week & on call after hours (he gets a break when he's on vacation) A Dr. comes to our facility once a week..

7. I love my job. I like the Medical staff I work with, I like the officers I work with..... They're the best!

RNCoastiewife · Mar 19, 2009

Thank you all for your responses! I really appreciate them all. :nuke: