Tainted by corrections work?

[Germanicus3767]

I'm a man, 55 years old. I've been an NP for 14 years and spent the last 8 working in corrections. I have been trying to find a job outside of corrections for a year now and have applied for a number of jobs but I have not received even a callback on any of them. My question is has working in prisons so long made me undesirable as a potential employee. Working in corrections has given me lots of varied clinical experience but I get the feeling that some view corrections as a setting providers go when they can't get a job anywhere else. I have a good work record and good references so I'm puzzled as to why I'm not getting any responses.

[mtsteelhorse]

I am not an APRN but I do work in corrections. The FNP that works with me has concerns similar to yours in terms of losing some of her clinical skills in our setting. However, remember that corrections is really a branch of public health. What type of job are you looking for? I hope the right position comes forth Corrections is NOT a flunky job. It requires excellent skills with a population that can be very difficult to manage on all levels.

I would like to go to NP school but I have worked in corrections so long I have lost a lot of traditional book knowledge though I consider myself an excellent RN. At 53 I'm not sure it's worth it. Any feedback about NP school after corrections?

Best wishes

[zenman]

Where do you want to work? Kansas perhaps? We have some openings at my workplace on a military post.

[Germanicus3767]

I live in the Atlanta area. Relocation isn't an option but thanks for the tip.

[Germanicus3767]

I would say go to NP school. Its more money along with more responsibility. I didn't feel I lost any clinical skills working in corrections. If anything working there made me keep them sharp because you never knew what was going to come through the door .

[LubbockNP]

I work in corrections too. I work at an Tx dept Medical unit regional medical inpatient hospital as a hospitalist. I am trying to get on with the VA

[redtrees]

I've worked in corrections for the last 2 years. I agree that working in corrections keeps your skills sharp. I don't know how many times I've been surprised by the unusual things that make it through booking. When I first started, the other NP on staff (who'd worked corrections for >10yrs) advised me to stay a few years, then move on unless I wanted to make my career in corrections. Her advice for when I do start looking for another job: sell yourself like crazy because most non-correctional employers don't understand correctional medicine. Stress the variety of skills that corrections has helped you develop and the breadth of knowledge required to treat the inmate population. Good luck!

[resilientnurse]

I don't know what type of APN you are, but if you do Psych I would consider your corrections experience to be the creme de la creme. Just about everyone I see at my CMHA has been to jail or prison. Corrections along with forensic psychiatry and military psych are very valuable professional experiences. If you do primary care then, it might not be your imagination and may be due to stigma- which is most unfortunate.

Maybe try jazzing up your résumé and writing cover letters. I have never written a single cover letter for a RN or APN job, but this may be a good thing to do to sell yourself and your valuable correctional experiences. It's extra work, but it's worth a shot. Good luck to you.