Wiseman2 Posted September 25, 2021 Posted September 25, 2021 8 minutes ago, Pumpernickel said: Are prison nurses allowed to use stuff for self-defense? A shot of sedatives/antipsychotics is a good weapon. There is usually a (often silent or hidden) "panic" button for this as well. Is an officer on watch outside the infirmary?
poppyfields Posted September 25, 2021 Posted September 25, 2021 (edited) Dis, thanks for the update! Sounds challenging but also rewarding in many ways too! Question: Did the correctional facility offer any safety training prior to your treating patients? I just read an interview with a 'Correctional Nurse' see their answer below with respect to safety training 7. What steps does the correctional facility take to ensure your safety? Generally speaking, as part of the on-boarding process, you will be required to go through basic safety training classes. For instance, you may be required to take a series of online classes about recognizing manipulation, how to effectively communicate, what fundamental safety procedures need to be followed, etc. Furthermore, the facility will likely send you offsite for additional hands-on training where you will learn how to deescalate confrontations and avoid hostile situations. While you are providing care, there will always be a guard within earshot to ensure that everyone is on their best behavior. In my experience, it is extremely rare for an inmate to attack the medical staff. Prisoners view the nurses and doctors at their facility as people that are there to help them, not punish them. --END Did you go through such training? I could see how that might be mandatory to assure your health and well being versus immediately treating patients as you are doing? Edited September 25, 2021 by poppyfields 1
Author Dis Posted September 28, 2021 Author Posted September 28, 2021 (edited) No I went through the prisons through an agency because getting in with the state takes too long. I didn't know shyt about shyt when I started and am still learning. So I've come to a conclusion about things... I passed some judgment on the nurses there for being standoffish and for not interacting with the patients a much as I thought they should. I also thought I could possibly make a difference by taking a more empthetic approach to the inmates and to show them I'm through and that I actually care about their well being. I thought I could make some kind of a difference. But after my training, which I'm still doing... I can honestly say without a doubt that this is not for me. The reason why the nurses have very brief interactions with the inmates is because for every inch you give them, they take a mile. Like this one inmate, he's a big guy. In for beating his girlfriend within an inch of her life (didn't know that until recently) but anyway, he fractured his leg and is in a lot of pain so like with every inmate, I've been going out of my way to check up and assess his leg, see how he's doing. And wow, did he take that the wrong way. He took it as I wanted to sleep with him so he keep following me around, getting too close to me, yelling for me, trying to get to me. And most of them are like that. They don't have boundaries and they misinterpret me doing my job for sexual interest. It's also a safety issue to get too close physically or in any other way because I just found out, 90% of in inmates are armed... with shanks and what not. 90%!!! A seasoned nurse told me whenever I walk by them don't think for a second that I'm safe because they could take me out. I'm also really having a hard time absorbing the energy too. It's caustic. I keep getting the chills when I walk by or when I'm treating these guys only to find out what they did and then it all makes sense. They raped a 2 year old, they killed their parents, they raped 4 teenage girls, they kidnaped and tortured 5 women, they killed a kid, etc etc. I feel like I'm in the presence of evil. Walking down hallways or through the pods instills this kind of fear where I feel like I'm holding my breath until I walk out at the end of the day. It's terrifying. I knew I was going into a dangerous situation but actually experiencing it is something else all together. Nothing could have prepared me for it. My coworkers aren't great either. They're hardened and they're not super welcoming. I don't feel like I'm learning enough. The orienting process has been really lacking. It's almost like the staff there has kind of become like the inmates in an attempt to adapt to working in a prison. One of the nurses says she wishes she never started here because it's changed who she is as a person, in and outside of work. I don't want that to happen to me. I just don't like the environment. I don't like not feeling safe where I work. Not a fan of the people I work with. I don't like not being able to be warm and kind and through. I want to be a good nurse but sadly the reality is, I can't be in a prison. The nurses do what they do for a reason...for safety. I don't regret trying it though. I've always wanted to see what it was like. Being so close to people who did such terrible things has been really, really interesting. I love true crime documentaries so this is kind of like a personal, up close look at it and in a way I thought that aspect of it was really cool. But unfortunately, it's not for me. Edited September 28, 2021 by Dis 3 1
basil67 Posted September 28, 2021 Posted September 28, 2021 Oh well, better to try and find it's not for you than to never try and always wonder. What do you think you'll do next? 2
hajk Posted September 28, 2021 Posted September 28, 2021 @Dis thank you for your update and sharing your thoughts and reflections. I agree the prison environment is too caustic and it would be negatively affecting your sensitive nature and mental and physical health. You sounded so hopeful at the start that you got to work on one of your dream jobs and were hoping that you could make a difference. I'm sorry it didn't work out as you had initially thought. I hope you will find a much better job quickly and leave this place soon. Take care and best of luck! 3 1
Author Dis Posted September 28, 2021 Author Posted September 28, 2021 44 minutes ago, basil67 said: Oh well, better to try and find it's not for you than to never try and always wonder. What do you think you'll do next? Hospital nursing Either med/surg or oncology I sent out some applications today and am praying to all that's holy I hear back soon and can get out of the prison asap 1
basil67 Posted September 28, 2021 Posted September 28, 2021 Fingers crossed for you. Could you work as a casual nurse until you find a new permanent job? 1
Wiseman2 Posted September 28, 2021 Posted September 28, 2021 2 hours ago, Dis said: can get out of the prison asap How much notice is required? They're probably used to new hires having doubts and resigning. What type of nursing ar you looking for? Can you find a place that has tuition reimbursement so you can get an advanced degree such as NP for more autonomy or an MS for a more managerial role? Preventing burnout is half the battle in high stress occupations. 1
Sun Seeker Posted September 28, 2021 Posted September 28, 2021 Fair play for giving it a try, respect for that. Although I think the whole forum knew before you started it was not going to be for you.
ASG Posted September 28, 2021 Posted September 28, 2021 While we all warned you that this would be exactly the case, sometimes we just need to find out for ourselves. And I do admire your desire to treat every patient as they deserve, regardless of what they've done. But as you have come to realise, it's just not possible. Which is sad, don't get me wrong. Hopefully you'll find something else soon, and I'm sure that you don't need to give much notice, as you're probably still in a probationary period. 3
clia Posted September 28, 2021 Posted September 28, 2021 I keep hearing about the nursing shortage everywhere, so I expect you will be able to get out of their fairly quickly. 1 1
Author Dis Posted September 28, 2021 Author Posted September 28, 2021 (edited) I have an interview tomorrow at a hospital on an oncology unit ...thank god I hear back from them so quickly! But like @cliasaid there is a staffing crisis in the healthcare field across the US. Almost every facility I know of is short staffed. Nurses are needed everywhere so hopefully it will be easy to get in. I meet the job requirements as well. I like tough areas of medicine like oncology and hospice, where a lot of emotional support is needed, where patients are either terminally ill, or have poor prognosis or are just in a fight for their lives. I like being present for that kind of thing. Feels like a high honor. I have experience working with both cancer patients and hospice patients so I think I'll really like it. I'll be able to myself, a good nurse and most importantly, I'll be safe. Wish me luck! Edited September 28, 2021 by Dis 3
Author Dis Posted September 28, 2021 Author Posted September 28, 2021 13 hours ago, Wiseman2 said: How much notice is required? They're probably used to new hires having doubts and resigning. What type of nursing ar you looking for? Can you find a place that has tuition reimbursement so you can get an advanced degree such as NP for more autonomy or an MS for a more managerial role? Preventing burnout is half the battle in high stress occupations. No notice is required because I'm still in training and will be for the next 5 weeks. So I'm thankful for that...I can get out of there quickly. Some hospitals offer tuition reimbursement and I do plan on advancing my career for sure. I would like to get my masters. Managerial roles will be great to look into down the line when I start to face burn out and need to take a break from bedside nursing. 1 1
Author Dis Posted September 28, 2021 Author Posted September 28, 2021 15 hours ago, basil67 said: Fingers crossed for you. Could you work as a casual nurse until you find a new permanent job? Per diem and travel nursing is very stressful if you actually want to do the job well. You're floating from unit to unit, facility to facility without a good grasp on how the job works because you're only there for a short time or not there enough. Which is why most Per Diem nurses as well as travel aren't invested in the patients but rather the money. It's something you do if you want to make a small fortune but don't necessarily care about the patients too much. Not my thing. 1
hajk Posted September 29, 2021 Posted September 29, 2021 7 hours ago, Dis said: I have an interview tomorrow at a hospital on an oncology unit @Dis Good luck on your interview tomorrow! 1
Author Dis Posted October 3, 2021 Author Posted October 3, 2021 (edited) The interview went great. A couple days after that I shadowed. The unit is incredibly faced paced and requires a lot of advanced skills which I'll have to learn. I'm intimidated but I hope I can learn quickly, as I usually do and adapt. I liked the fast paced environment, I like the challenge. I feel like I'll be able to be an even better nurse there vs the prison and not feeling accomplished at all. The nurses and CNAs were so nice there too. I felt welcomed. I know a lot of people there already from my previous job. Feels much more like home than the prison does. That's important too, to have that support. I'm hearing back from the nurse manager on Monday. I hope I'll get it! Fingers crossed! Edited October 3, 2021 by Dis 3
mortensorchid Posted October 9, 2021 Posted October 9, 2021 I interviewed a while ago for a teaching job in a prison. Didn't get it, but I say go for it - at this point in life it's best to take chances whether it's business or personal reasons. And in this economy you have to be just that - bold and fearless. Otherwise you will have a lifetime of regret after regret. 1
Author Dis Posted October 13, 2021 Author Posted October 13, 2021 Got the job at the hospital! I don't have a start date yet as I just completed my medical clearance so hopefully I'll get one soon I quit the prison all together because of what it was doing to my anxiety so I'm trying to enjoy some time off. I have a date on Friday with a guy I went to high school with. He messaged me on fb and we've been texting ever since. I haven't been liking new guys lately though, like I'm a tough nut to crack in terms of developing feelings for new men but I hope I like him. Men are actually crawling out of the wood work right now. Kind of feels like things are changing and I'm entering a new chapter in life....good, I need that 4 1
ASG Posted October 13, 2021 Posted October 13, 2021 On 10/9/2021 at 2:43 AM, mortensorchid said: I interviewed a while ago for a teaching job in a prison. Didn't get it, but I say go for it - at this point in life it's best to take chances whether it's business or personal reasons. And in this economy you have to be just that - bold and fearless. Otherwise you will have a lifetime of regret after regret. Dis has worked at the prison and quit after a few weeks, as it wasn't for her. She's gotten a job at a hospital now.
glows Posted October 15, 2021 Posted October 15, 2021 On 10/12/2021 at 7:44 PM, Dis said: Got the job at the hospital! Kind of feels like things are changing and I'm entering a new chapter in life....good, I need that Congratulations! 1
Author Dis Posted October 17, 2021 Author Posted October 17, 2021 So this is a bit of a bummer but my start date at the hospital isn't until the 8th of next month So for financial reasons, I may have to stay on at the prison per diem (2 shifts a week) until I start my new job. I'm pretty worried about it because I don't know if emotionally I can take going back in there but I might not have a choice I will text the director at my previous job, the job I had before the prison and see if I can get on per diem there but from what I've heard their hiring process is lengthy now so I might just have to suck it up and go back to the prison
Pumpernickel Posted October 17, 2021 Posted October 17, 2021 Do you have any sick days left? Or PTO? Probably not if you haven’t worked there long enough, but just a thought.
Interstellar Posted October 18, 2021 Posted October 18, 2021 (edited) what an adventure. you had to find out the hard way. i personally wouldn’t want to work in a place where i’d have to be constantly on guard and personally buy a stab proof vest for some sense of security. i had a coworker whose bf was a corrections officer and she’d vent to me about how her bf has changed ever since he became a co. just became very moody, depressed, negative, snaps at her on the little things smh. those guys have nothing better to do inside but look for every sort of infinitisemal, tiny ounce of vulnerability they can gather so they could exploit you. Edited October 18, 2021 by Interstellar 1
Katkats7777 Posted October 23, 2021 Posted October 23, 2021 Its probably good environment to meet men and be around them all day, but I wouldn’t have the balls to do it primarily for safety reasons. I mean there is a chance to get stab, physically assaulted or worse getting raped. I’ve never been to prison but I’ve heard guards work with prisoners to get them what they what, there some “bro code” going on there, bribing, favors. Not that a womens prison is any different. But if thats what you want to do, then go for it
Recommended Posts