What's next after correctional nursing?

[Elky]

Hello all,

I recently became employed through a California state hospital, and plan to go back to school online and obtain my BSN (I currently have ADN).

After I obtain my BSN, is there any doctorate or masters program where I would benefit from the experience of government nursing/correctional nursing?

I guess my question is: What's next?

I'm in my mid-20s, and still planning on continuing my education.

Those of you with experience who have been doing this for a long time, where has correctional nursing or government nursing led you?

What doors has it opened for you, compared to acute care, critical care, or bedside nursing? I know some graduate nursing programs require a certain number of med-surg experience, and I suppose that correctional nursing doesn't count in that regard.

thank you for your time~

[Kooky Korky, BSN, RN]

I believe corrections experience closes more doors than it opens. Hospitals don't want you and you tend to just get stuck. Long term care is always an option, but that is not for everyone.

You are right corrections, even though we deal with drug overdoses and stabbings etc. does not count as acute care for Schools or getting hospital jobs.

Public Health, Juvenile Hall, Management RN in Corrections, Clinic Nurse (specializing in Peds, OB, High Risk OB, TB nurse, maybe County Hospital RN. Sometimes jails and prisons have hospitals/infirmaries (deal with Ortho, Infectious Disease, Drug Withdrawal, Psych, DM, cardiac, post-op (abortions, appy's , etc.), trauma during arrest - dog bites, shooting, Taser usage, Mace, Tear Gas, and Pepper Spray, etc.

[nursesunny, ASN, BSN, MSN, LPN, RN]

"After I obtain my BSN, is there any doctorate or masters program where I would benefit from the experience of government nursing/correctional nursing?" Well...any experience is useful in rounding you out as a nurse...nothing specific to corrections although my PMHNP studies are highly relevant.

"Those of you with experience who have been doing this for a long time, where has correctional nursing or government nursing led you?" I have wonderful opportunities and love my job. My team provides medical support for CA inmates fighting wildfires. I have job offers regularly but that is in part because I maintain per diem work at an acute care hospital.

"What doors has it opened for you, compared to acute care, critical care, or bedside nursing?" I was the ADA at Kaiser's mental health in downtown LA for a while but went back to prison nursing because the retirement is better, less demanding, less stress, higher income....etc. Nice thing is I have 4 job offers as a mental health provider once my PMHNP and certs are complete, mostly through my state work.

"I know some graduate nursing programs require a certain number of med-surg experience, and I suppose that correctional nursing doesn't count in that regard." Don't sell correctional nursing short. I worked at a maximum security prison where I regularly responded to overdoses, stabbings, cardioverted a patient in our triage and treatment area (with a physician of course) IV insertion, IV medication administration, mental health crisis intervention, primary care, telemedicine...make the most of your chosen career and people will see it in your diversity of experience.

[nursesunny, ASN, BSN, MSN, LPN, RN]

It goes a bit beyond that. We aren't going to be bought out, taken over or closed down. We don't call off for low census. Also, once you are off probation, your employer must show cause in order to terminate you, and there are specific steps that must be taken to accomplish it. You don't have any real protections with most private employers.

Although the job protection goes two ways...you also have to work with people the prison can't fire who would have been gone a long time ago in the private sector...I totally second the no call off thing...When I worked ICU we got called off all of the time, now I know my vacation hours will really be vacation!!!! YAY

[Oldmahubbard]

I worked in a forensic psych hospital for many years as an NP. I enjoyed it to some degree, although the amount of malingering and antisocials became quickly tiresome. I worked with some great people, got to appear in court on many occasions. I only left for a much higher paying job.