Recipe for Disaster or Welcomed Change?

[Auntiegrade_Amnesia]

As a nurse that is sooo burned out of LTC, I might as well be a pile of ashes, I have been reading alot of the posts in this forum..just out of curiousity. Correctional nursing sounds very interesting and rewarding, however, I am also a nurse with PTSD and chronic anxiety, controlled with medication. My question to you all is, do I have any business considering corrections as a possible career change, or just setting myself up for disaster?

P.S. I already have the tough skin, so honesty is appreciated:)

Thanks for your time.

[Dwifey]

I switched from long term care to correctional nursing a few years ago. At first I have to admit the thought was a little scary.But after awhile I found it was the right fit for me. In the correctional setting where i work i have no inmate contact without a deputy present at all times. I feel very well protected, and confident in the security of my workplace. All that matters is that you feel comfortable. Im not going to lie it has more risks than long term care. The only thing i can say is try it out and find out if its right for you.One more thing:correctional nursing depends alot on strong assessment skills

[deyo321]

I would echo the last post but stipulate I feel safer than being in long term care alone on night shift. Or at sundown. Or when there are combative residents.

My question to you is how would you handle a code. Corrections is like skiing, you sit in the chairlift and its nice and peaceful then whooosh a big adrenaline rush. When I hear a code called over the radio I'll be honest my heart jumps and I get ready for action. Would something like that trigger you?

All facilities are different so check it out. There may be job titles at bigger facilities that you may enjoy. I will never go back to LTC, I can't believe I stayed so long.

One other thing many of my inmates suffer with PTSD and tons of anxiety, so your background might give you a unique perspective.

You may know if its for you just by walking in the facility. Some have an almost visceral reaction to the door shutting behind them. Check it out. I'm glad I did.

[Auntiegrade_Amnesia]

Thank you both for responding. I am currently working the night shift in a LTC facility, and am the only nurse. We just admitted an older gentleman from a correctional facility who is end-stage COPD, AND a full code. He is such a nice man, and alot more respectful and appreciative of us than most of the other residents. I don't think I would have a problem with a code, but my usual practice is not to wait until it gets to that point before shipping them out to the hospital. Anybody with questionable V/S, O2 sats in the 70's, or c/o severe or unusual pain is outta there. I do wonder if my being on anxiety medication would be a problem for a potential employer though. As far as the safety factor goes, LTC has been admitting psych patients, those who have drug and alcohol dependancy, and violent dementia patients more and more over the last several years. Talk about scary in the middle of the night! I am so desperate for a change at this point, but I also wouldn't want to put my patients at risk by being unprepared.

Thanks again, all input or advice is greatly appreciated:)

[katkonk, BSN, RN]

Another possibility to ease a transition, is to work in a correctional facility that has a LTC unit. It would seem like familiar territory for you, plus you would have the security around you. You could get used to the atmosphere and see if you would want to change to the ambulatory care part of the correctional care. See where your state or county has it's LTC facilities.

[deyo321]

Yea sorry I wasn't clear. Codes are not like patients going south etc. In LTC they are usually on your radar and you can often anticipate needs. In corrections they are always unexpected. Hangings, cutting, seizures, fights, MI's, broken bones etc. I am in a jail so my population is fluid. Often detoxing or under the influence.

Our use of the word code here has different implications than a hospital setting. The call of a code means trouble all respond. A code followed by the word medical means trouble/man down. So a "code 3 medical 109" would tell me what and where but not neccessarily why. The inflection, rate and pitch of the officers voice is what chills my heart. These officers are so well trained and professional, and we are a small facility so I know them all well; that any sense of urgency in their voice puts me into full on alert. Thats kind of what I was trying to share before, sorry to be unclear.

[Orca, ADN, ASN, RN]

As far as the safety factor goes, LTC has been admitting psych patients, those who have drug and alcohol dependency, and violent dementia patients more and more over the last several years.

It all comes down to cash. I found the same thing when I worked on a hospital geropsych unit. They routinely mixed Alzheimer's patients and people with organic brain problems with those with more conventional mental health issues, and the mix did not work well. However, since Medicare = filled bed with guaranteed payment, it didn't matter whether we could actually help the person or whether the admission interfered with the treatment of others.

One difference you will notice right away is that you are not left alone with inmates. It isn't like LTC where you're it, and you deal with whatever comes up as best you can. Correctional nursing is a relatively undiscovered gem, IMO. Good luck to you.