I’m an ER nurse and considering transitioning to another specialty. I’m thinking about being a correctional nurse. Any idea what a typical day looks like for them?
I would be cautious about correctional nursing unless you are big and physically strong. It can be extremely dangerous. Maybe working in a trauma follow- up clinic?
Maybe look into something like Quality Management or Compliance , if trying to get away from direct patient care.
Early in my career I did some correctional nursing part time, I worked for a private correctional
facility, my duties consisted and included, making an intake chart for every inmate including medical, psychological TB status , then once intake is done the medical team goes over the inmates
needing a primary physical which are the ones with prior medical history, then a medication plan is set up, other daily activities was a triage at my facility we triaged inmates daily with general complaints we did not have a physician 24/7 so we used a lot of standing protocols for headaches , stomach pain etc. inmates that did not resolve with standing protocol treatment were brought back to evaluation for further workup. Rare cases if an EKG was positive or the inmate was sick for transfer that is initiated as well. It does get lonely all doors close in on you and you can take no personal items in with you. You will learn radio codes and never engage an inmate alone they must always be accompanied by a guard there can be lock down periods where you are escorted by a guard to areas of the facility with a rolling medication cart.
Actually I have never worked corrections but have some friends that do and their typical day involved a lot of med pass, the infirmary and psych holds (law officers of course). Someone with an ER background would do well in this environment and the pay is great.
AS an ER nurse you have important skills that fit right in the corrections system.
one source to do some info gathering before you make the plunge is to check out the professional organization https://www.correctionalhealth.org/ They have a newsletter too.
Corrections scares some folks because they worry about criminals and violence. As someone who has worked both settings I experienced much more violence and potential violence in the ED that in correction setting.
In the ED you don't know if someone is violent or a criminal and security is present but sometimes more trouble than helpful
in the correction setting there is a CO within arms length
It’s like a 24/7 clinic with restrictions and protocols like a cop with compassion ,beside your are taking care of human being with criminal offense.
I currently work juvenile corrections! I do 12hr shifts, same as in the hospital. Lots of Med pass, triaging sick calls, coordinating care, etc.
