Why Correctional Nursing

coolchik4sure · Jun 26, 2006

it's challenging and using all your assessment skills, and it's such an underserved population. when there's time to sit down and teach somebody what blood pressure is- not what hypertension is, but actual blood pressure- you can't help but feel like you've made a difference, even a small one!

nicely stated!

it is very rewarding and good nurses are desperately

needed in corrections. they are humans deserving of

good, competent care!

texascowgirl · Jul 4, 2006

because never does a day go by that doesnt give you belly laughs

because when you are PMS'ing or not feeling good for whatever reason, you are even MORE effective at your job

specialpatient2 · Jul 22, 2006

because never does a day go by that doesnt give you belly laughs
because when you are PMS'ing or not feeling good for whatever reason, you are even MORE effective at your job

:yelclap: I working in a nursing home, and have been considering moving on to a new type of nursing. I have read all the posts about prison nursing, and have found everything so positive. I must say this post you made has made the biggest impact on me. I find my job in the nursing home not very rewarding. Ninety percent of the residents have some degree of alzheimers, which means many of them don't remember what I did for them 2 minutes later, and most don't know my name. I try my hardest to make them happy, but they are never satisfied. I have received maybe 2 "thank you"s throughout the 8 months I've been there. All this, and I'm supposed to stay calm, curtious, kind, and understanding. I'm a pretty cool gal, but when I'm PMSing, it gets pretty hard sometimes!! I don't dare be rude, because the DON or administrator are hanging around a lot! How much I would like to tell some of them exactly what I think, but of course I have to bite my tongue!

If I did go to prison nursing, I'm sure I would good, because I am very compassionate, and actually, I am truly a sweetheart in general. However, it sounds like it would be a lot less stressful during those PMSing days! I can be a B****, and sometimes I wish I had the freedom to be cranky if wanted to! Any thoughts?

Palmo · Jul 26, 2006

I am currently in a psych rotation (ADN program) at a women's prison. I am loving every minute of it, and am intrigued by everything that happens there. I am considering working there after graduation in May (much to the dismay of my family).
Why have you chosen to work in a correctional facilty? Do you like it? How dangerous is it, really? I'd love to hear your stories.

Hi Kellyo,

I am new today to this website...

I am a LPN with 3 semesters left in an ADN Bridge program.

I have worked alot of Correctional and I really do like it alot...much to the dismay of my family, I suppose.

I feel that it is an interesting job...not stale.

The biggest problem usually is the staff more than the inmates. It is a very stressful job, I guess.

There are alot of reasons pros and cons...but I still don't have that aweful "I am burned out on this job" feeling like I do at other places. I also feel that there is a need for caring staff at some of these places and maybe this is "my calling" so to speak. :)

jamangel · Sep 15, 2006

I absolutely love corrections and still would be working there full time if my hubby wasn't so paranoid. I don't know if he's worried about my safety or that I'll replace him :wink2: Anyway, it's the easiest work I've ever done. There are days I want to scream but more often days I laugh. I feel like their advocate for care and I do my best to make sure they get it. It's not my job to judge them and I'm very successful at not doing so. I like the autonomy. The only gripe I have is that medical and security clash pretty often where I work. Security often feels like their concerns aren't worthy of being addressed because they're inmates which of course I disagree.

tirzo13 · Sep 30, 2006

Its the money.

RN's at california prisons will be making 100k/year next year.

I don't feel warm and fuzzy here.

they are professional criminals, they have a reason they are here.

once they get out, if they get out, most will come right back.

they have an angle, don't think for a moment when they say a nice comment about your hair they mean it.

its one thing when an elderly person praises you, or you can make a sick child smile.

these guys look for any way they can to get to you.

don't think for a minute they won't shank you for a balloon of heroin.

don't think for a minute they won't name you if they get busted with a contraband item you gave them after thinking you made a connection and helped them.

they are seeing how they can get close to you, and hope that someday you will give them an extra pill, or bring some contraband for them.

I have seen nurses fall for prisoners and get walked off the facility.

Nobody i know here prefers to be here, and we have the best run prison in the state.

its the money and great benifits.

we also have a great team to work with, we get along and have a good time, but its not what we went to school for.

if we would get paid the same outside, and not be overworked on the outside, we all would leave.

marylyric · Oct 25, 2006

Its the money.
RN's at california prisons will be making 100k/year next year.
I don't feel warm and fuzzy here.
they are professional criminals, they have a reason they are here.
once they get out, if they get out, most will come right back.
they have an angle, don't think for a moment when they say a nice comment about your hair they mean it.
its one thing when an elderly person praises you, or you can make a sick child smile.
these guys look for any way they can to get to you.
don't think for a minute they won't shank you for a balloon of heroin.
don't think for a minute they won't name you if they get busted with a contraband item you gave them after thinking you made a connection and helped them.
they are seeing how they can get close to you, and hope that someday you will give them an extra pill, or bring some contraband for them.
I have seen nurses fall for prisoners and get walked off the facility.
Nobody i know here prefers to be here, and we have the best run prison in the state.
its the money and great benifits.
we also have a great team to work with, we get along and have a good time, but its not what we went to school for.
if we would get paid the same outside, and not be overworked on the outside, we all would leave.

Thanks for the truth. I am considering doing prn at a jail for PHS. Do you know of them?

jamangel · Oct 26, 2006

I've worked for PHS and CMS. I was better paid and the facility was better staffed when the contract was with PHS.

laurananny · Nov 16, 2006

Hi

I'm a new grad considering correctional nursing and am interested to view the article from amazon that you mentioned in your post.

nightingale, RN · Nov 16, 2006

I am not familiar wit the articles you refer to. Some of these posts are rather old.

Perhaps, you could go to the website for Amazon.com (I am a member and use their service regularly for books and CD's). There is an excellent search feature there and you could try some key words like Correctional Nursing or Corrections in Nursing or whatever you deem appropriate. Much like our search feature, here on allnurses.com, you may find a wealth of information.

Good luck to you and let us know how you make out.