Nomadic Nurse Diaries

Dear Boundaries and Breakthroughs,

It finally happened—I’ve found my rhythm! If you’ve been following along on my correctional nurse journey, you know it hasn’t exactly been smooth sailing. But today, I’m writing to you in a fantastic mood because, dare I say it, life is pretty damn good.

There’s a shift that’s happened recently. Something just clicked. And now, here I am, confidently walking through the doors of this prison like I own the place (but in a professional, neutral, very-boundaries-in-place kind of way). I’ve settled into the flow, and I actually like it here. Never thought I’d be saying that about working in a prison, but hey, life’s full of surprises.

From ICU Nurse to the Correctional Hustle

You all know my background—I’m an ICU nurse, used to the high-stakes world of beeping machines and drip titrations. When I took this correctional nurse gig, it was like being thrown into a completely different universe. I was juggling correctional officers, inmates trying to pull one over on me, and my internal radar constantly buzzing as I tried to figure out who was genuine and who was full of it. To say I was overwhelmed is an understatement.

But now? Now I’ve got this thing down. I’ve figured out a rhythm that works for me, and let me tell you, it feels good.

Boundaries: Set, Established, and Unbreakable

Let’s talk about boundaries, because they’ve been key to me finding peace in this chaotic environment. Early on, I struggled with balancing care and skepticism. My trainer, bless her heart, tried to teach me the art of doing the least amount of work possible—basically, don’t get too involved, dismiss complaints, and avoid paperwork like the plague. But that just wasn’t sitting right with me. I wasn’t sleeping, I was angry all the time, and I wasn’t proud of the nurse I’d become.

So, I flipped the script. I told myself, “Okay, you’re going to care. But you’re also going to have very firm boundaries.” I’ll provide care like I always do, but I’m not here to be anyone’s friend. Strictly professional. You tell me your symptoms, I’ll handle it. Simple.

And guess what? It worked! The inmates respect me now. They know I’m not here to coddle them, but I also won’t dismiss them. If someone is genuinely sick or in need of help, I’m on it. And if they’re trying to pull some bullshit? They’ve learned real quick that I can smell it from a mile away. I’ll call it out, and they know better than to try it twice.

It’s amazing how much smoother things have become since I refined my approach. The relationship I have with the inmates is neutral but respectful. I’m here to do my job, and they seem relieved to have someone who’s actually looking out for them—someone who’ll make the call to get them to the hospital if necessary. I’ve got their back, but I also have my boundaries, and they’ve learned to respect that.

The Inmates? They’ve Changed Too

The crazy part? I’ve noticed a real change in the inmates, too. At first, there was a lot of testing the waters, trying to figure out how much they could get away with. But now? There’s this subtle but undeniable shift in the way they interact with me. It’s like they’re relieved to have someone who isn’t just going through the motions.

They respect that I’m not a pushover, and they know that if they’re genuinely in need, I’ll step up. I think it’s because they’ve realized I’m not here to screw them over. I’m here to take care of them, just like any other patient, but with those necessary firm boundaries. It’s a weird dynamic, but one that works. They trust me to do my job, and I trust them (well, mostly) to be honest about their needs. We’ve developed a mutual understanding, and it’s making everything flow so much better.

The Big Decisions

And now that I’ve hit my stride, there’s another decision looming on the horizon: Should I stay here full-time? I’ve been debating this for a while now. The truth is, I’ve kind of fallen in love with psych nursing. Working in corrections has solidified that for me. I’ve seen the way mental health issues play out behind bars, and it’s made me realize that psych is where my heart is.

I’m seriously considering going for my Psych NP. It’s been in the back of my mind for a while now, but this job has really pushed me toward it. I love the complexity of psych, the way you have to dig deeper to understand what’s really going on with someone. It’s fascinating, challenging, and rewarding all at the same time.

I’m also thinking about doing some inpatient psych travel nursing or maybe picking up a PRN psych job. I mean, why not? I’ve got the experience, I’m loving the work, and it feels like the right next step. The question is whether I want to commit to this correctional facility full-time or take my skills on the road again. Decisions, decisions.

Oh, and Guess What? Mom’s Coming to Visit!

On top of all this career reflection, I’ve got some exciting personal news: My mom is coming to visit! I’m so excited. We’re going to rent a cabin somewhere remote (but not too remote—let’s be real, I need a solid WiFi connection and a comfy bed), and just relax, catch up, and enjoy some mother-daughter time. It’s going to be amazing.

Honestly, life feels pretty balanced right now. I’ve found my groove at work, I’m considering some exciting career changes, and I’ve got some much-needed family time on the horizon. After all the uncertainty and stress of adjusting to this job, it feels like things are finally falling into place.

So, What’s Next?

Who knows what’s next? Maybe I’ll stick around here, become a full-time psych nurse, and take that leap into the NP world. Or maybe I’ll pack up the van and hit the road again, taking on new challenges in new places. Either way, I’m feeling good about where I’m at right now.

For now, I’m just going to enjoy the fact that I’ve found my rhythm. Life is good, the inmates aren’t driving me completely crazy (well, not every day), and I’m actually looking forward to what’s coming next.

Until next time,
Your On-the-Rise Nomadic Nurse