1st LPN job in a prison. Need advice

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Hi everyone, this is my first post. I chose not to post my question in the "correctional nursing" category because I need outside perspective.

I am in my 40's with no prior healthcare experience. I've worked in this prison for a few months as my first LPN job.

Before nursing I worked in many jobs with difficult people and have done well.

I am a hard-worker and very conscientious. I treat my coworkers with respect and try to be a team player while learning how to be a good nurse.

Forgive me, I may jump around a bit. This is the first time I've been able to discuss this with anyone else in nursing.

My main preceptor cuts me down every chance she gets and I have no way of knowing how I am doing. I am one of the few nurses who gowns up when required and who does not pre-pour meds but I am constantly getting comments from her and other nurses about my performance. I am doing my best to increase my speed while keeping my patient and myself safe and I am hoping speed will come with practice.

My passes are usually within compliance but I take longer than everyone else. When the experienced nurses do a med run they generally have close to two hours of downtime to sit in the breakroom so I'm guessing this workload is pretty light.

Also, I need an officer to escort me with the med cart and sharps. They literally roll their eyes and make comments when they see they're with the new girl and then proceed to rush me the entire time I pass meds just so they can sit down and chat with the others. Mind you their sole job is to be available to me as needed.

Even though I ignore them, I am having a hard time developing an efficient routine because I am constantly fumbling as I try to rush and I feel like the worse nurse alive.

Normally I have no problem speaking up but the people here thrive on cutting one another down and there is no one I trust enough to go to. I had hoped I could just deal with it until I became independent.

Would a nursing home be a better environment to learn in? Is this normal for new nurses?

I want to be a good nurse and work to bring a positive note wherever I am but the negativity is taking its toll.

I know nursing is hard but is it this toxic everywhere? I guess I'm mostly venting and looking for advice to help me see clearly because this is the only healthcare job I know. Since I only pass meds, would I get more hands on experience in a nursing home?

Thanks so much for listening, you all sound like a great group and I feel lucky to have this site.

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Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.
Hi everyone, this is my first post. I chose not to post my question in the "correctional nursing" category because I need outside perspective.

I am in my 40's with no prior healthcare experience. I've worked in this prison for a few months as my first LPN job.

Before nursing I worked in many jobs with difficult people and have done well.

I am a hard-worker and very conscientious. I treat my coworkers with respect and try to be a team player while learning how to be a good nurse.

Forgive me, I may jump around a bit. This is the first time I've been able to discuss this with anyone else in nursing.

My main preceptor cuts me down every chance she gets and I have no way of knowing how I am doing. I am one of the few nurses who gowns up when required and who does not pre-pour meds but I am constantly getting comments from her and other nurses about my performance. I am doing my best to increase my speed while keeping my patient and myself safe and I am hoping speed will come with practice.

My passes are usually within compliance but I take longer than everyone else. When the experienced nurses do a med run they generally have close to two hours of downtime to sit in the breakroom so I'm guessing this workload is pretty light.

Also, I need an officer to escort me with the med cart and sharps. They literally roll their eyes and make comments when they see they're with the new girl and then proceed to rush me the entire time I pass meds just so they can sit down and chat with the others. Mind you their sole job is to be available to me as needed.

Even though I ignore them, I am having a hard time developing an efficient routine because I am constantly fumbling as I try to rush and I feel like the worse nurse alive.

Normally I have no problem speaking up but the people here thrive on cutting one another down and there is no one I trust enough to go to. I had hoped I could just deal with it until I became independent.

Would a nursing home be a better environment to learn in? Is this normal for new nurses?

I want to be a good nurse and work to bring a positive note wherever I am but the negativity is taking its toll.

I know nursing is hard but is it this toxic everywhere? I guess I'm mostly venting and looking for advice to help me see clearly because this is the only healthcare job I know. Since I only pass meds, would I get more hands on experience in a nursing home?

Thanks so much for listening, you all sound like a great group and I feel lucky to have this site.

Corrections is definitely not for everyone. But there will be rude & toxic people no matter what job you go to, that won't change. You have not been at that job long enough to develop a routine, that is something you will have to do at any job as well.

LTC is tough. You will be responsible for 30+ residents. Personally, I'd rather work corrections over LTC any day. I also like not having to deal with family members in corrections.

Don't rush. Even though other nurses or the C.O.'s might want you to go faster, tell them this is the speed you are comfortable with. You have to speak your mind & don't be afraid to. You have to speak you mind at any job you're at.

You will probably get more hands on experience at a nursing home, you just have to decide what you're comfortable with. I don't know how many months exactly you've worked there but if you could hold out at least a year it would look good on your resume. If you could, maybe shadow a nurse at a nursing home to see if you would be comfortable at a nursing home.

Don't throw in the towel just yet, you haven't gotten a routine down. Also don't be afraid to speak up if you feel rushed or something is wrong. Good luck.

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My first lpn job was corrections. I'm still there a year later.

I was rushed by the CO's at first too. The rolling of the eyes, the pulling up of a chair next to my med cart implying it's gonna be a long night, etc. now they beg for me to come to their floor. I'm super quick and confident now. It just took time to get used to. I'm ready to spread my wings now and am now looking into LTC. Corrections is too much routine. Kind of over it now. Good luck!

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Thanks OrganizedChaos. You're right, there are many things I like about corrections and I have to weigh them out. I just want to get my routine and speed up to par safely but I find myself fumbly with a toe-tapping C.O. as much as I try to ignore them.

Next question, for you or anyone else: How long did it take to get your speed up safely? Do you have any tips for doing so?

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Hi Pookyp, thanks for your response. You described it precisely! I've had C.O.'s announce that they were going to kill themselves because they got stuck with me! It's great to hear you gained your speed and confidence already. If you or the other nurses here have advice for safely increasing my speed and confidence, I'd love to hear them. Best of luck to you with your new path in LTC.

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Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.

Each person is different. For some it may take 2-3 months or others it may take 4-5 months or longer. Really, don't be afraid to speak up to the C.O.'s, they might even respect you after. Just don't let them walk all over you.

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I work per diem, but I work quite often and on different carts. So every time in got used to one cart, I was on another the next day! Ugh!

First I learned my meds. On most of the boxes, the generic name is listed on the top. Also I ended up getting to know the inmates. When I see the next one lined up, I'm already pulling his meds.

No small talk. I just hand them a sick call.

We are not supposed to do this, but in my drawer in small cups I pour in Motrin, Benadryl, Tylenol, baby aspirin, and multivitamin. That way I don't have to keep opening the bottle. I just grab out of my little stash.

I work evenings so I have diabetics as well. I do them first, then do meds. I get them out of the way before dinner. Then while dinner is being passed, (and the deps can't do med rounds) I go in my office and pre pull putting my meds in the little envelopes. When the come up to my cart I just put it right in their hand.

I'll think of more later!

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Specializes in Geriatircs/Rural Hospitals.

Its hard anywhere you go when you feel like you are fumbling. Just take deep breathes and remember that everyone was new once. As far as toxic goes, you will have some people who are unhappy. Either you have to learn to ignore them, or just keep up a happy face. For some reasons a lot of experienced nurses feel the need to eat their young. Big sigh. If you like the other parts of your job just keep with it you will get there.

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Pooky do you work for star 1 ? I know they do alot of the staffing for correctional facilities in south Florida

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