Never thought you’d work in a Correctional or prison setting? Correctional nursing is an exciting career field. And you might be surprised by how it can be the breath of fresh air you’ve been searching for. If you feel you’ve been doing the same nursing job for far too long, it’s worth looking at some of the rewards and challenges of correctional nursing.
What is Correctional Nursing?
Correctional nurses offer patient care within the confines of a correctional facility – such as a state prison, a penitentiary, or a juvenile detention center.
Various types of nursing opportunities exist, and you would be providing care to those who are incarcerated in both public and private facilities.
Prison healthcare is a critical component of the healthcare system, and it is something that you can do to help those get the treatment and care they need since they often cannot visit traditional hospitals.
The Rewards of Working in Correctional Nursing
There’s never a boring day when you work in correctional nursing. In fact, Corrections nurse Kelly wrote a blog about how finding this career was her way of dealing with burnout in the nursing field.
With corrections facilities all over the country, there are countless opportunities. This could end up being your chance to explore different cities while helping inmates to get the level of healthcare they need.
Often, you will establish a close-knit team of people who are providing the care. This can include other nurses, doctors, surgeons, and even correctional officers.
The pay can be pretty impressive, too. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that the median annual wage for registered nurses is even higher within correctional facilities.
Challenges of Correctional Nursing
There’s the elephant in the room that we should address right away. You will work in a prison where you’ll examine and work with inmates. They have committed some kind of crime to be in there, so there’s a safety aspect to consider.
Working in Corrections isn’t the same as being locked in a cell. You’re never going to be alone with an inmate. Security cameras will be in place and correctional officers monitoring the entire interaction steps away from you. However, there is always the possibility of an inmate becoming violent.
It requires a significant amount of vigilance because of working with inmates. Certain prisoners may try to reach for you, steal your equipment, or take advantage of your kindness to get additional care (or prescription drugs). You must be alert and aware at all times.
How to Get Involved in Correctional Nursing
The reality is that correctional healthcare staffing is a challenge because many people shy away from the unknown. However, there are some incredible opportunities that you can discover.
Polish Up Your Resume
It’s important to get your resume current with some of the most recent positions that you’ve held. Be sure to include all of your training and the type of position you’re interested in.
Within corrections, you can find work as a licensed practical nurse and a registered nurse. If you’ve ever worked in corrections before, be sure that you highlight that within your resume.
Read Some Reviews and Ask Your Recruiter
Reviews go a long way to finding out quite a few things – the type of correctional facility you’ll be at, the type of position you want, and even the facility’s name. An AB Staffing recruiter will know the facilities and should be able to place you in the one that’s the best fit for you.
Do your research to ensure you’re ready for the job and all that it entails.
Explore Higher-Paying Travel Nurse Jobs
Travel nurse jobs are a great way to stay employed while also exploring. There’s no reason to accept whatever job comes your way. There are plenty of competitive jobs out there – and working with a staffing agency can make it easier to tap into some of those higher-paying jobs, too.
According to Health Affairs, travel nurses are seeing more demand than ever – and there’s 40% growth expected in the future.
Consider some of these positions at corrections facilities:
- A Corrections LPN in Thomaston Maine
- A Corrections Registered Nurse in Springfield Massachusetts
- A Correctional LCSW in Orange County California
If you’re ready to explore the rewards and challenges of correctional nursing, let us help at AB Staffing. We can answer your questions and help you find the right travel nurse job based on your resume and desired location.
