Scary story!

[jen42]

I do agency work at a jail to supplement my school nurse salary. (Weird, I know.) I'd been thinking about doing some shifts at a nearby prison. Mentioned this to another agency nurse, who used to be the nursing supervisor for a prison. She told me an interesting story...

She was working as a nurse at the prison when an inmate slipped her a love note. She was shocked and brought it to the officers, who then searched his room, and found a piece of paper with her full name, address, and phone number on it. This inmate was due to be released in 2 weeks. His crime? Rape.

He was put in "the hole" for 2 weeks and was then released. She had three small children. She said she couldn't sleep at night and was terrified (obviously.)

Fortunately it has a happy ending... she found out a little while later he was back in jail... she wasn't sure what for, and she didn't want to know.

Has anything like this happened to anyone else? I mean, I've been hit on, and there's the guy who sings the "I'm so sexy" song whenever I pass by, but never anything as scary as that.

[ddc101]

I work in a Parish Correctional/County.

I am always reminding myself where I am.

Never discuss where you live even the town with inmates.

Its sad to hear that one had someones address.

I know some who ask for the same nurse all the time and

even call the jail and ask to speak to her when they roll out.

We keep reminding her not to be so personal with them.I just

hope it doesn't come back to haunt her.

[Deirdre]

are the inmates allowed access to computers? I know they can receive an education in prison but do they keep them off line?

[elizabells, BSN, RN]

are the inmates allowed access to computers? I know they can receive an education in prison but do they keep them off line?

I think it depends on the facility. The one where I'm doing my community clinicals has inmates working as a DMV call center. One gal was working there for weeks before someone cottoned on to the fact that having someone convicted of auto theft working DMV might not be the best plan. :roll

[kjbrn]

You have to remember firm, fair and consistant with these guys. I work in a med-max receiving center for the State of Washington. This is my favorite job by far and I feel safe because I know the officers have my back. It really isn' t as scary as TV portrays and I make it a point not to know what they are in for. But if you do get harrassed go to the internal investigation dept in your facility as soon as possible to get it reported and documented. They like to get a reaction out of you so if you just ignore them a lot of times they stop the comments. And yes they do see and hear everything so keep your personal stuff to yourself.

[texascowgirl]

i recall when i was a prison nurse in Texas something scary-check this out-if, let's say, you are an inmate, and you know the last name of the RN at the prison, and you chain out (get released), and go surf the Texas Board of Nurse examiners website, you can find the RN's home address. i remember doing that to myself-i could find my address under my name alone. i havent looked lately..i need to see if that has changed or not.

[SoniaRN]

I work at a small jail and I'm the only RN. I've gotten plenty of love letter, hate mail, and some really bad sex letter. Our deputies, Sgt and Major do not take these letters lightly. I'm also noticed by ex-inmates in our small town. I do carry a gun in my car and and home. My children are also noticed because they have been with me when I'm noticed. I always hear "HEY NURSE LADY CAN I GET MY DRUGS!" This is when I'm in public. The one thing the inmates are not aloud to do is disrespect me at any way when they come into my office. I say good morning to them and they must respond the same. if they became rude or disrespectful the deputies escort them out of the office. Be safe and never turn your back. I sleep better at night because I am with a police office from another jail.:smiley_ab

[Orca, ADN, ASN, RN]

Setting limits early on is key. The first time you tell an inmate that it is inappropriate to make suggestive or sexually-oriented comments, word gets out that you don't tolerate it. The nurses who generally get in trouble are the ones who play along for a while, then try to stop it. Conduct yourself in a businesslike manner and you greatly reduce the chances of something like this happening.

[Shell3]

In our facility the only place to find the address/phone number of an employee is to go to the Watch Commander's office. Not a place an inmate is ever left alone. I also have my phone num. and address unlisted=just in case one of them gets out and tries to "look me up". I have never had a safer job, at least there you KNOW who the bad guy is. Always have your eyes and ears open, and NEVER let an inmate get between you and the nearest exit. If you are firm, fair and consistent you should do okay. If one of them still tries to "hit on" the nurses they get their "clock cleaned" if you know what I mean.

[tampabaylpn2rn]

i loved working at the jail when i did it, and i left when i was 38 weeks pregnant. one thing i did was ONLY use my first name. all the nursing staff tried to convince me that i should be referred to by my last name, but i was the only one in the phone book with that last name. so when the inmates called me Nurse Lauren, they never had a way of finding out my last name.

[elizabells, BSN, RN]

i loved working at the jail when i did it, and i left when i was 38 weeks pregnant. one thing i did was ONLY use my first name. all the nursing staff tried to convince me that i should be referred to by my last name, but i was the only one in the phone book with that last name. so when the inmates called me Nurse Lauren, they never had a way of finding out my last name.

That's an interesting point. At the prison where I did my community clinical, everyone went by their last name ONLY, to enforce respect. Actually, I don't know the first names of any of the nurses...

[ex1140]

Interesting and scary story...I'm glad she's alright.

If you are attractive...prison will be an interesting place to work

as a nurse...you will get a lot of unwanted attention from both

officers and prisoners. :uhoh21:

[smk1, LPN]

I'd wear glasses (even if i didn't need them) a nice wig with a totally different hairstyle and color than my real hair, no makeup and use a nickname for my first name and not have my last name on my badge or anywhere in the office. That is just scary!