I pretty much hit the ground running. Two days of observations and I was participating on the floor after that. Right now I’m fighting a losing battle with boredom. It’s Sunday, and we’ve completed our tasks for the day. The rest of the schedule will be med passes.

In summary:

I’ve been caring for 3 different people with wounds. Healing abscesses from IV drug use, an open finger wound from a pus-filled abscess, and a packed wound from an open abscess as a result of IV drug use. Wound care was one of my biggest fears. I’ve only observed wound care in the clinical setting. But it was simpler than I had imagined. To break it down, you simply clean the wound(betadine, saline, NEVER alcohol), then dress it(antibiotic ointment, saline, gauze, tegaderm, bandaid) following the clean technique unless it is something that requires sterile care. In this environment, sterile fields are not possible/necessary.

I am documenting heavily. Everything I do is written down. I’m using the proper terms to describe wound discharge. So far, so good.

Med pass is easy. Three way checks are the textbook way to go, but when completing a 60+ person medpass, the ID, drug name, and dose is pretty much all I have time for. When I drop a med, or if a patient drops a med, I just grab another dose.

A lot of my confusion comes from paperwork. Where to file sick call sheets, refusal of treatment sheets, etc. Counting inventory is also something to get used to. What time to count, who is going to count. Sharps management is pretty important here.

I absorb a lot of information from talking to patients during sick calls. Many are anxious and suffering from the somatic manifestations of it. Some have chronic health concerns. Some are severely dehydrated because the tap water is less than ideal to put it nicely.

Every day I exercise my strengths which include communication, teamwork, and humor. It is important that the Correctional Officers are able to work with you. They are there to maintain custody of the inmates, and protect you. Medical is here to maintain the comfort and well being of the inmates during their stay(some a few days, others weeks, months, years.) It is equally as important for the medical team to work together. We must support each other when making decisive actions regarding inmate care. Any situations that result in “staff-splitting” can have long term effects on working relationships.

Within every interaction, there is an opportunity for manipulation, and use of survival tactics. I expect it. People are not their best self in jail. People lie, steal, cheat. The people here are often at the bottom of Maslow’s Hierarchy. People are not their best self when in survival mode, and their basic needs are just barely met. I don’t know who I would become in jail. I suppose I would also look for ways to escape reality, acquire resources, and achieve a sense of gratification.

I don’t blame them, even if they’re in here for first degree murder. I’m not here to place judgement. Just caring for people who need it.

I was walking from the kitchen back to the intake office when an inmate popped out from the laundry hall just to check things out. I nodded and said “hi how are you?” to which he replied “I’m alive, and its all good.”

I think sometimes life in jail might be simpler than life outside. No matter what our circumstances are, we can always find moments of joy to smile about.

In the kitchen I had asked for some broccoli to go with my packed lunch and the inmate serving me was very sincerely asking if I wanted anything else. Another moment of joy: the joy we experience when we serve others and realize that we have made a difference in their day.

July 2nd

Part of me was fighting it, and the other part was curious. The latter won. I’ve had a wonderful first rotation thus far. I could not have asked for a better experience. My peers are kind and patient with a sense of humor.

My priorities have been met. I can’t emphasize enough how crucial it is for me to be welcomed, accepted, and respected. I can handle tough situations, ethical dilemmas, and adrenaline rushes. I’m willing to humble myself and step into work every day as a student. I do not pretend to know everything, and I am comfortable with what I do know. It’s awkward to ask questions, be clueless, and make mistakes. But it is a necessary discomfort if we wish to evolve and step into new realms.

What I can’t tolerate is passive aggressiveness, and a condescending attitude. I am not perfect, but I do expect to be welcomed with grace.

July 9th

So here I am, in jail. I love it??? Like its crazy to say that. The nurses and correctional officers have been excessively kind and welcoming to me(in an authentic way, crazy enough).

I was saying to my wife last night that I think the reason some(not everyone!) new hires don’t come back is because they find criminals to be subhuman. I understand that is a strong statement to make, but think about it. Many of us easily condemn criminals to punishment and mistreatment. It is easy to forget their humanity.

But I’ve seen enough to not care about my patient’s history. At the end of the day, they are just another person. I talk to everyone the same way. I am respectful, polite, and kind. I ignore foolish behavior(like banging on windows, yelling obscenities). So I am totally chill for the most part.

I’ve been able to pick up my duties quickly. I ran sick calls today(on my 5th day, not to bad), and I have completed 2 med passes on my own. I will be doing another today. It was exciting for me to be in charge. I had a few questions afterward, and learned much from it. It is fun to finally exercise my assessment skills.

I’m relishing this moment in time because it will not be here again. I successfully completed my very first interview as a nurse! And what a memorable experience too! I landed an interview the day after applying at the Frederick Adult Detention Center. I went for the experience, and will likely reject the job offer should I get one.

When I described the place to my wife on the phone, I said “it’s just like Orange is the New Black but way smaller.” I’ve always been so curious about detention centers, jails, and prisons.

The nurse who interviewed me was bubbly, sweet, and welcoming. Highly intelligent, with depth in character. A few things I look for in a mentor. She took to me quite well, and we had a productive conversation.

As a new grad, you’re in a weird, in-between space because you lack experience, but you are trained and educated. I didn’t prepare for the interview because I wanted my natural self to come out.

I found myself gravitating toward mental health as a topic. It is important to showcase yourself in an interview, not your credentials. Everyone knows what nursing school teaches you. Not everyone is like you though. That is what a hiring manager wants to see. There are others like you with the same skill set, but there is no one else like you. It is a beautiful human experience!

I am very passionate about mental health. I have a unique work history because I sought out jobs that centered around people. For almost two years, I served a household of people with intellectual disabilities. A month after I left, I found myself employed in a psychiatric hospital. I walked away with a treasure of knowledge about the human condition and what it means to be humble, kind, and compassionate.

A part of me wants this job at the correctional facility. I would be completing med passes, dressing wounds, etc. My interviewer made it clear that anything could happen during a shift, and I, an adrenaline junkie, was titillated. A new grad nurse’s wet dream. But beyond that, I would be serving the underserved. The people deemed a threat to society, forgotten about, swept under a rug. Chained to labels like “addict,” and “criminal.” Some may challenge you, humble you. The ego may want to condemn them. The spirit will see that we are one Soul, walking different paths in different bodies.

I understand the necessity of imprisonment for violent, hateful crimes. But I find prisons distasteful. True repentance involves moving through the dark night of the soul, and working to find the light. Maybe some find enlightenment during their time in a cell. But I’m afraid that most find abuse.

I recently learned about the 13th amendment in the context of the recent activity for civil rights under the “Black Lives Matter” movement. What a disgusting piece of slave history that we have retained. I say we abolish the 13th amendment. We must actively fight against slavery as a concept and philosophy. Nobody walks beneath another. We are all equal as earthlings.

I am very curious as to what my response will be if I receive a job offer.