National Correctional Officers and Employees Week: Nicholas Tidwell, Registered Nurse

Nicholas Tidwell is a registered nurse at Metro-Davidson County Detention Facility in Nashville, Tennessee. Tidwell joined Metro over a year ago after earning his nursing degree in 2017 and later deciding he didn't want to work in a traditional hospital setting.

What is your favorite part of your job?

My favorite part of this job is my co-workers, hands down. I could not ask for anything better. That's important when it comes to a job. When you work with the right people you can get through anything together, nothing is too difficult. My co-workers have become my family.

What would the public be surprised to know about working in correctional medicine?

That correctional medicine is not as dangerous as the outside world thinks. There are policies and procedures to help ensure safety and security at all times. Inmates are people and deserve the right to medical care no matter their life decisions. 

How does your work support CoreCivic's reentry mission?

Our medical team works to treat and stabilize chronic disease processes. We educate our patients on their medical problems and that gives them the tools to continue care when released.