Typical Shift in Correctons?

jescalynn, ASN, RN · Apr 13, 2016

Depends where in the prison you are and if your a RN/LVN or PT.

As a RN I do assessments and charting. That's about it. I'm vacation relief in the TTA and CTC. Occasionally I'll do an IV or dressing change or clean up.

RNforLongTime · Apr 14, 2016

I work night shift in a medium security state-owned male prison. We have about 2100 inmates. My job as the only RN on the 10pm-6:30am shift is as follows

~~take report from the off-going infirmary nurse--we have a 14 bed infirmary and 4 psychiatric observation cells. I'm responsible for these inmates-including assessments, VS and documentation on the inmates who are admitted (we have several who are just housed up here because they are on 02 or are unable to care for themselves any longer out on Gen Pop)-my current census is 12

~~document every 2 hours on the inmates admitted in the POC cells

~~stuff charts for the Dr/PA lines in the am

~~complete medical summaries on inmates who are maxing out or getting paroled

~~collect sick call slips from each housing unit (we have 9 not including the Restricted/Segregation Housing Unit)

~~count tools in the Triage room, check the crash cart, emergency bag & temps of the Infirmary/Nurses Station fridge

~~attend to all emergencies that may arise--low blood sugars, chest pain, headaches, etc. I've even been involved in a homicide 0_0 as the nurse on duty and a hanging

~~process the sick-call slips. If it's regarding chest pain, I assess the inmate while on the block. Most of them are medication reorders.

~~assist the LPN if needed. He/She is responsible for processing the incoming medications and passing AM meds to the Restricted Housing Units--about 50 inmates

That's what I do on night shift. Each shift has different responsibilities. If I were mandated to stay over onto day shift, I might end up being the emergency RN for the day--which means AM insulin line, 9am treatments and all emergencies that arise.

I much prefer night shift

~~

Nurse0316 · Apr 18, 2016

@ Rn for a long time, BSN. You sound so proud of your position at cdcr. I'm glad for you

SheriffLauren · Apr 19, 2016

That sounds like an okay gig. One of my concerns being a female is security. I keep hearing that compared to locked psych it's safer because of the CO's, is that true? And Did you find that you received a good orientation?

Any answers are much appreciated

jescalynn, ASN, RN · Apr 20, 2016

My orientation was 2 months, so yes fantastic. I feel safer working in corrections than I would working in a ED. COs are there to keep you safe with inmate interactions. You should never be alone with an inmate & if you are (sometimes will happen) you have an alarm, a whistle and your voice.

RNforLongTime · Apr 20, 2016

I feel much safer working in the prison than I ever did working at the hospital, where we had 2 floors of psych patients. There was ONE rent-a-cop for the entire Hospital and he was usually stuck down in the ER guarding a pt with involuntary psych hold papers, or a 302 as we call it in PA. So if one of those patients on psych or heck, even in ICU, where I had psych patients all the time..usually they'd OD'd and we had to watch them in ICU for 24hrs before the Psych Dr's would take them to the psych floor.

As for orientation, I got a week with the HR dept, where I reviewed policies and procedures, met the staff in the Medical Dept and spent a shift shadowing a nurse. Then I went to Basic Training at the Academy for two weeks, with a state car and they even paid for gas. Once I returned from Basic Training, I got 6 weeks of orientation. 2 on each shift. I felt that was plenty but then I'm a veteran RN of over 18 years with 12 of them being Critical Care/Adult ICU. All new state civil service employees are on a 6th month probationary period. I passed with flying colors.

Good luck to you SherrifLauren.

SheriffLauren · Apr 21, 2016

Thank you all so much for taking the time to reply! I've been considering applying for positions at King county correctional Facility Seattle and Monroe Correctional facility (both in washington state) and have been nervous. I come from a locked psych unit, we get the worst of the worst in the state, and we don't have security, when **** happens its all, Do we have big people? Where have the men gone? Will the cop at the front desk make it up here in time? Did you call for help from other units? So its very much a team thing and being smart about your location. So I'm glad corrections seems safer. And while i've been in brawls, I'd rather not. I think my background would help me transition to corrections? I'm definitely going to apply now.