When one door closes, another one opens. That’s what transitioning jobs was like for Registered Nurse Becky Brinson when the urgent care clinic she worked at for more than 26 years closed down. She looked to the future and stepped into a new career at the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services (NDCS) Lincoln Correctional Center (LCC). “I started at NDCS in 2017. I worked in family practice and urgent care in the past and was ready for something different.”

Brinson said when she started at NDCS, she was surprised at how appreciative the incarcerated population was for the care they received. “They are thankful we are here for them. We have a lot of inmates with chronic medical conditions we care for and keep healthy.”

Every day is different while working as the clinic nurse. Brinson wants people to know she feels very safe working at LCC due to the security staff who are always looking out for them. “The training we receive at the Staff Training Academy when we first start at NDCS prepares us for working in corrections. Security does a great job of keeping people safe, both co-workers and inmates.”

Working during the COVID-19 pandemic has changed some of Brinson’s day-to-day routines, but her mission to keep people healthy has always remained the same. “We wear masks and the inmates do as well. We do more sanitizing, cleaning, frequent hand washing and use hand sanitizer.”

Brinson said the clinic is conducting more telehealth visits for their patients and has been able to reduce travel out of the facilities. “This has worked well.”

When it comes to showing support and leadership, the registered nurse makes a point to advocate for her patients and assist them with their medical needs and questions. “We all work together to get our patients taken care of and keep them healthy. Everyone in medical is great about working together to get things done and take care of problems when they arise. We could not do it without everyone’s help and teamwork.”
Thank you for what you do!

#NurseAppreciationWeek #KeepPeopleSafe #EssentialWorkers