Trying to decide on correctional nursing.

I'm sure it's different from facility to facility and I've only been doing this for a month so I'm sure I'm not the best person to be giving you advice but here's what I like so far about my change to correctional nursing. My favorite part of this job is being able to address a person's medical issue and then being able to walk away. Like you, I was completely burned out by running around like crazy taking care of every little need of total care patients for 12 hours at a time. I was completely burned out when I got home and had nothing left to give to my family. i don't feel that way now. I take care of the issue, then NEXT! I'm not trapped listening to constant whining and I don't have to deal with family members. I also get to do a lot of different things. Some days you might do intake, some days pass meds, do sick call, labs, etc. I never get bored and there's always something new going on. I really am a compassionate person and I love helping people but it just seemed like I was giving too much of myself in acute care. I don't know if this is my niche but so far I really like it. Also, I was very hesitant at first to do this and lots of people told me not to, they said I was too nice but I'm learning as I go and have had a lot of support on new challenges for me like inmate manipulation and con games, etc. I wasn't sure about it but so far I'm glad I did it. Hope that helps.

if youre in southern california try to apply at los angeles sheriff dept. medical service dept as staff nurse.you will like it here!

I'm sure it's different from facility to facility and I've only been doing this for a month so I'm sure I'm not the best person to be giving you advice but here's what I like so far about my change to correctional nursing. My favorite part of this job is being able to address a person's medical issue and then being able to walk away. Like you, I was completely burned out by running around like crazy taking care of every little need of total care patients for 12 hours at a time. I was completely burned out when I got home and had nothing left to give to my family. i don't feel that way now. I take care of the issue, then NEXT! I'm not trapped listening to constant whining and I don't have to deal with family members. I also get to do a lot of different things. Some days you might do intake, some days pass meds, do sick call, labs, etc. I never get bored and there's always something new going on. I really am a compassionate person and I love helping people but it just seemed like I was giving too much of myself in acute care. I don't know if this is my niche but so far I really like it. Also, I was very hesitant at first to do this and lots of people told me not to, they said I was too nice but I'm learning as I go and have had a lot of support on new challenges for me like inmate manipulation and con games, etc. I wasn't sure about it but so far I'm glad I did it. Hope that helps.

I think that's wonderfully stated. And would be exactly how I would explain it.

Just wanted to let you know.....I love correctional nursing. I think you should give it a try!

less stress? You will be walking the tiers of convicted murders. You can have urine, feces and semen thrown at you in the prison enviorment. You will be cussed at regularly and have the chance of being seriously hurt or killed in a riot situation. Working in a prison is not stress free. It is also not for everyone. I happen to like it, but it is stressful.

Also, it seems like everytime something happens, the nurses are the first to blame. Several years ago, there was a LOT of drugs coming in. They first looked to the nurses and then the officers. DONT BECOME A MULE!!! And good luck in your decision.

You never know until you try. :groupwelcome: