Deciding you’re going to embark on a specific career path is kind of like looking for the right college to attend: it will take some work to find which one is right for you, but when you do, it will be all worth it. Becoming a travel correctional nurse is truly a calling, but the job can be demanding and requires some insider knowledge.
If you decide to become a travel prison nurse (here’s more information about the career path), you’re entering a thriving and rewarding field. But you must understand a bit about your patients, specifically the subculture that underlies the facility you will work at. Here, we’ll discuss some information about working with incarcerated patients.
How Do Inmates Interact with Healthcare Staff?
Because of trauma and other factors, some incarcerated people might not feel comfortable around healthcare professionals. This is not to say that every inmate will feel this way, but likely, many will. Research shows that 33-42-year-old inmates are most likely to distrust healthcare professionals. Of course, as a healthcare professional, it is your job to make your patient feel comfortable and confident in the quality of care you give them. Keep in mind though that some inmates generally distrust medical professionals.
The Nurse-Patient Relationship
As we mentioned, inmates might not completely trust travel prison nurses. So, this reality could impact the nurse-patient relationship. You should know that the relationship between the nurse and the patient is unique, especially when working within a correctional facility. Approximately 40% of inmates in prison possess a form of disability, and your approach to interacting with them should encompass recognition of this fact. Even though this may be seen as a challenge, you can know for certain that your safety is the utmost priority. You will never be alone with an inmate as you provide them with patient care that caters to their unique situation, and a security team will always accompany you during treatment.
What Do Other Nurses Think of the Job?
If you’re considering a career in travel correctional nursing, it’s essential to read up on what other nurses think about the job.
Our Corrections Nurse Rachel says,” Working in the prison you see unique cases and work in various settings just like at a hospital. As a nurse to one unit, I get to know the inmates as I care for them daily and they are very appreciative of those caring for them.”
The Rewards of Working in Correctional Nursing
Her advice to someone new to corrections is, “Be courteous and pleasant, but not overly friendly. You will be in an environment where you hear a lot of profanity and slang. Be professional and you will gain respect. Set limits. If an inmate starts cursing or yelling, end your visit and let the correctional team take over.”
Rest assured that there are many benefits to working as a travel prison nurse, making the career coveted. For example, when you become a travel nurse with AB Staffing Solutions, you’ll get housing support to make your transition into the new job more seamless. You’ll also get referral bonuses, paid vacations, untaxed per diems and travel stipends, weekly payouts, medical, dental, and vision healthcare plans, and more.
With all these benefits readily available to traveling prison nurses, so many talented nurses enjoy their careers in the field. When you have the experience to be a correctional nurse, you’ll surely enjoy working in the field—especially when you have coworkers and superiors who care about your health, safety, and overall wellness.
Higher Paying Jobs are Possible with AB Staffing Solutions
We have many open positions posted on our website right now, and one of them might be the job that’s right for you! For example, you could be a correctional LPN in Newport, VT; you’d live in a town that’s beautiful in the fall time. Or, if you’d rather live in a warmer and sunny place, you could be a corrections RN in Florida or a correctional RN in Auburn, CA. Finally, you could work as a correctional LCSW in beautiful Tacoma, WA or any other amazing location where we have open corrections jobs.
For nurses ready to embark on the next phase of their careers, check out our open job postings. We’re committed to connecting nurses with the right job that works for them. If you want to become one of the exceptional traveling healthcare professionals, contact AB Staffing Solutions.
