[wildhorse]

I have been trying to find my "area" in nursing. I have tried Long Term Care at the VA, had to move on due to severly short staffing... Currently I am trying to work in a pysch area (state hospital) and finally figured out that this area is not for me. It seems that the professional staff have more mental illness than the patients. I am trying hard not to burn out but have reached the end of my tolerance. Has anyone worked corrections? What is the environment like? I am looking for a job that I can find satisfaction in, and not have to play games. I am not good at games and lose everytime. I am interested in home health/private duty nursing but the pay won't meet my need. (to pay my bills, I recently obtained my BSN, and now have a hefty loan to pay back.) I was interested in getting back into the VA but there are few job opportunities posted in my area. I am open to any advice on how to find a job that meets my financial needs and brings back that good feeling that I had once had when working with patients.

[MagRedC5]

"I am open to any advice on how to find a job that meets my financial needs and brings back that good feeling that I had once had when working with patients."

Become an Army Nurse

[wildhorse]

Hi,
Thanks for responding. I am over 50 so Army is out. I am trying to find a job that would allow me to have the satisfaction that I once had. I think that many nurses would agree that the staff shortage plays a major role in the nursing experience. When I first started in nursing it was exciting and the personal satisfaction was what made each day. Recently, I have been struggling with staff that not only ignore my directions but seem to think that each shift is part of the survivor show. Maybe it is the state hospital environment that is part of the reason why this occurs... I honestly don't know. I have not made a lot of job changes over the years so, I can't really say if this is a trend. It seems that all people want to do is argue and fight for the power. I spend most of my shift sorting out staff, and dealing with the ward psychiatrist. My stress level has increased to the point that I now am going to change jobs. I don't know if there are many psych nurses in this forum, but the recent trend away from use of seclusion or restraints combined with the trend away from medications used for controlling anxiety is making the work very dangerous. I have been working in forensics, with violent offenders, and each day has the potential to send staff to the hospital. Many nurses just quit as the pay doesn't match the stress and danger. I have a difficult time understanding how Vistaril or Benadryl can control anxiety in patients with angry behavior. These patients not only assault staff, but each other. The administrators have stated that it is possible to take care of 25-30 dangerous, delusional, angry patients with 5-6 staff. I disagree…
I was hoping that this forum might help me find a less dangerous, angry environment. I would love to do private duty nursing but the pay is not enough to cover my bills, and I lack the energy to work double shifts or work 7 days a week. I wanted to hear from nurses that work in the correctional environment so that I could weigh the risks and the pay. Any advice that can be given would be appreciated. I just obtained my BSN and was so hopeful that I was on a track of finding a more independent role in nursing. I don’t want to complain as complaining doesn’t solve problems. I am looking for solutions. Thanks.

[cougarnurse]

Pay in Correctional nursing depends on your area. There may be a Grade pay Scale, but you'd have to check.

One of my classmates was a cop, and chose Correctional Nursing (!!) Remember that the inmates 'run the gamut' on behaviour (part of which is why they are there). It can be challenging, and there will be security there to help if anyone gets too out of line. On top of that, the inmates know that the nurse is there to 'save their hide'.

Keep us posted, ok?

'Cat'

[MagRedC5]

Wildhorse,

This suggestion will not help your nursing change job search but I have a thought. Have you considered studying Aikido? This martial way [technically not an art like Aikijutsu] is perfect for the environment you work. Aikido uses skeletal manipulation and joint locks with seemingly effortless parries, rather than hard blocks in defense of an attacker. I study Aikijutsu, a more aggressive combat martial art from which Aikido was formed. Aikido is said to be a non-violent approach to violence. BTW, I'm near 50 years old and can tell you Aikido would be perfect for your age.

... just a thought

[wildhorse]

Tnanks for the suggestion. I think that I will change jobs. The patients are not the real problem. It is the trend towards working with the least staff possible, and the lack of medication.

[cougarnurse]

I am lucky in that my facility has some good doctors. There are quite a few with what would be considered PTSD, etc, and the Doc's are great at trying different meds. Then again, there are some Doc's who would rather UNDER medicate, than OVER medicate. It is just the right combination, really.

Yes, I work LTC, but dementia really can play havoc.

'Cat'

[wildhorse]

Hi,
I am considering working in long term again. I will talk to a nursing director on Monday. It has been a while since I passed medications as the medication nurse that I am a little worried. A routine is what helps... as I remember. I also must consider the salary... I would like to work with good doctors again. The doctors at the VA's nursing home were really good. Unfortunately, there seems to be a hiring freeze at the VA here in Washington State. I am considering all options at this point even the dreaded get out of nursing. I really don't want to but must control the stress...

[MagRedC5]

Originally Posted by wildhorse

Hi,
I am considering working in long term again. I will talk to a nursing director on Monday. It has been a while since I passed medications as the medication nurse that I am a little worried. A routine is what helps... as I remember. I also must consider the salary... I would like to work with good doctors again. The doctors at the VA's nursing home were really good. Unfortunately, there seems to be a hiring freeze at the VA here in Washington State. I am considering all options at this point even the dreaded get out of nursing. I really don't want to but must control the stress...

Washington State? Do you live near FT Lewis in Tacoma? If so, Madigan Army Medical Center [MAMC] has a Psych Ward on the 5th Floor. I don't think MAMC has a hiring freeze. My wife just got hired at MAMC for 2S, the Stepdown/Tele Floor. Being a [GS] Federal Nurse has great benefits! Plus, without hesitation the MD's [both civilian & military] at MAMC are great to work with.

[wildhorse]

HI,
I do live next to Fort Lewis, and I started out at Madigan as a new LPN. I was there 9 years, moved to the VA so that I could get my BSN. The VA staffing got very short and it was miserable. I graduated with my BSN and thought that I was going into Forensic nursing. However, what I have been doing for the past year and a half has not been Forensic nursing. I don't know quite what to call it. But the daily struggle is with the staff not the patients. I think that it is just time to go to another work area. I have talked with travel nurses in the past and they stated they liked not having to stay in one area very long. This way they passed up on the politics side of each job. Maybe this is a way to avoid the unpleasant politics of a job. I will check out Maxium nursing agency and see what McNeil Island has in vacancies. Thanks for the thoughts.