Correctional nursing is challenging, and at times can be emotionally and psychologically difficult. A police officer had been murdered in Henry County Missouri. The jail there is a small, close-knit facility in a small town where everyone knows each other. The loss had deeply affected the staff at the jail, as well as Nurse Dawn Jones. As if grieving the loss of one of their own wasn't difficult enough, the murderer was apprehended after a search that took nearly two days. He was brought to the Henry County facility to be detained. This man was now a patient, and regardless of the situation, it is the duty of a correctional nurse to treat patients.
He had a gunshot wound that had been treated at a local hospital and was covered in ticks. He needed medical treatment and it was up to Dawn to provide it. Given the extremely personal nature of the situation, her supervisor wanted to ensure she was okay and would be able to treat the patient. Dawn responded, "This is my job, he's a patient like anyone else." She stepped up. Not only was Dawn able to overcome her own emotion, but she also treated the patient with compassion. She is the definition of a correctional nurse and Advanced Correctional Healthcare, Inc. is humbled by the work she has done and the care she provided to this patient.
The St. Clair County Sheriff's Office and jail had an employee that was partially blind to full blindness in one eye and somewhat in the other eye. Dawn made arrangements with a special eye doctor to get his surgery and all of his care for free. This employee was able to get his driver's license back because of his restored sight. He went on to get a better paying job with a better retirement and future for his family. This is a daily routine for Dawn to take on without being asked to do so.
Dawn sees inmates that push her in every way possible. She puts forth 110% when taking care of a problem inmate, even when the inmate fights against everything she is doing. Inmates have written letters to attorneys, families, and federal judges saying how bad they have been treated, and refused medical treatment just to get what they want. Dawn will pull out her medical records, send them to attorneys and courts to show how she has gone above and usually beyond what is required for the inmates' care and medical treatment. From there, the matter is dropped. Inmates will attempt to destroy the credibility of any correctional employee they can without regard for that employee. It is not that Dawn brags on herself, but gives detail of a problem inmate and what she has done to provide medical care to the fullest extent possible allowed by the facility, so the staff is knowledgeable of the issue.
She received a letter from an inmate stating, "I know that you field more than a fair share of complaints, but I want you to know that I appreciate the manner that the St. Clair staff, jailers, Dawn in medical, everyone, has handled the issue with my knee. You have had, and still, have some really good people that work here which says a lot considering that this is not an easy job to work. I especially want you to know that as far as I'm concerned, Dawn goes above and beyond in her medical position. Let your staff know that good is noticed and appreciated, is pretty much what I wanted to say."
While Dawn was off from work and traveling by herself, she pulled up to a gas pump to fuel her vehicle. While there, she noticed the man at the next pump looking ill and saw him collapse to the ground. Dawn called for help, started CPR, and continued until the ambulance arrived. She continued CPR until the medics and rescue were ready to take over after setting up their equipment. Dawn has the integrity, professionalism, morals, and ethics on and off duty that carry over into her personal life. Dawn's knowledge, experience, professionalism and work ethic cannot be replaced.