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Posted by: nurse101

Hello,
I am sorry to be bothering you guys with questions like this, but I have been trying to find out info on Mass Correction facilities without any luck. I am a Registered Nurse looking to get into Corrections. I know there are plenty of openings. I was looking for a forums like this for MA correctional nurses, but with no luck. I was just wondering if any facilities were better to work for than others? Or are they all pretty much the same? How are the benefits?
Any info would be great.

Thanks!

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Posted by: KozmoKramer

Glad to see you have decided to become a member Nurse101.
Actually, you've come to the right place for answers to a question like that.
You will see as you peruse the forums, many of us have had our questions answered here. Check back in a day or so as many of the Corrections guys work nights, so they tend to post in the early morning hours.
Welcome aboard & Post away!

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Posted by: DoD102

Welcome aboard nurse 101. Go to USAJOBS.com and you'll find quite a few jobs for nurses in the federal system, Bureau of Prisons included.

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Posted by: ejk55

I believe the nurses work for Umass not the DOC.

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Posted by: nirtallica

[quote=nurse101]Hello,
I am sorry to be bothering you guys with questions like this, but I have been trying to find out info on Mass Correction facilities without any luck. I am a Registered Nurse looking to get into Corrections. I know there are plenty of openings. I was looking for a forums like this for MA correctional nurses, but with no luck. I was just wondering if any facilities were better to work for than others? Or are they all pretty much the same? How are the benefits?
Any info would be great.
Nurse 101, Contact MASAC at 1-508-279-3500 and ask to speak with someone from UMass medical during the day. Theye can point you in the right direction. The director of nursing for DOC/UMass works over there most of the time. Good luck, it is a thankless job being a nurse in corrections. It can pay well, though.

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Posted by: nurse101

Thanks for the replies. You are right, the nurse positions are thru UMASS. Does that make a difference?

Truthfully, my current job is a pretty thankless position as well, plus the pay and benefits leave much to be desired. So, if the pay and benefits are good, it would probably be worth it!
Do you find a difference between working in a male facility and a female facility?

Thanks again!

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Posted by: GateKeeper

Nurse101,

1st, welcome aboard. Now being under UMASS is better for you nurse's. They (UMASS) have rights and a better Union. UMASS took over the contract for medical in the prisons a few years ago. I believe the past contract was under, CMS (Correctional Medical Services), a privite, for profit company.

2nd, Nurse's are in great demand in the Mass prisons. They do make a lot of money from what I hear. Most nurse's that I know also work on call or to fill in on the weekends for extra money.

3rd, It will be a nurse job like nothing you have done in the past. Most of the time you will be just dispensing meds to the heavily medicated prison population. There will be a Code now and then, to which most end up going to an outside hospital.

Last, your not taking care of a person who was in a car accident or is dying of a illness. Most inmate's play the system to get more narcs in their med cup. They will lie to you, call you names that you might not be use to.

Don't be affraid, you can always ask for an escort by a CO if you want it. I can't speak for every prison, but I never heard of a Nurse being left alone.

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Posted by: PearlOnyx

Nurse,

I am a Correctional Officer in Essex County. I'm not sure where you are or if that would be an reasonable commute. We use CMS as a subcontractor at our facility. You can check out their website for postings. I've worked at the Infirmary at our facility for about two years, so if you have any questions on our facility specifically or correctional healthcare, send me a PM and we can chat.

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Posted by: KozmoKramer

Quote:

"I've worked at the Infirmary at our facility for about two years..."

Pearl - side question.
How is that duty rated amongst CO's? Is that considered a good gig in the joint?

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Posted by: nurse101

I have worked with substance abuse patients, but I know it's a whole different ball game. I have read some things on Correctional Nursing websites that I could never have imagined! Unfortunately, none of those nurses work in Mass. I am going to look into it somemore, but I am definately going to ask a ton of questions if I get an interview.
By the way, you are a great group of freindly guys! ( and girls..if there are any out there) I appreciate the info!

Jeannette

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Posted by: PearlOnyx

Koz,

It really depends on your outlook, and the department you work for. There is another Sheriff's Department locally, who from my understanding has all sorts of problems between their contracted health care staff, and the correctional staff, in terms of not getting along. Personally, we all get along with the staff very well, so that is not an issue. I like working there, because I worked in a hospital security for 4 years before I came there, and I like the health care environment. I'm also very intrigued by the mentally ill. So, it all really depends on your interests. It is definitely an interesting position, because you have to deal with people differently, as a good chunk of the inmates under your control are either fairly ill, or mentally ill, so it makes things interesting. I don't know too many correctional officers that want to work in that environment, but some do.

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