Any San Diego or LA Prison Nurses?

[RocknRollYogaRn]

I am wanting to relocate to CA. I am a prison nurse, and love being a prison nurse. I want to work for the CDCR. Is there anyone that works in LA or San Diego prisons? What are the hours like? I am looking for 10 or 12 hour shifts but can't seem to find what prisons have what hours as that would be a determining factor in where I work 'cause I hate 8 hour shifts. What are the working conditions like is one prison better? I was hoping to go to San Quentin, possibly, but not sure if I can live in San Francisco and work at San Quentin and there are currently no job openings. Any info from any nurse employed in one of the CA prisons would be appreciated.

[bleugirlrn]

Hi there,

You should apply at San Quentin as they often hire even if it doesn't look like there are openings. Yes, the shifts are 8 hours but BELIEVE ME, you can work overtime doubleshifts (16 hours) A LOT if you want to!!

I haven't figured out how to respond to personaly messages on this board so if you have qs just post them on this thread. I currently work there now as a RN.

[katkonk, BSN, RN]

I work corrections (through an agency) in Texas right now, and am considering taking an assignment in CA corrections, either through the agency OR for one of those "limited term for 12 months" positions that are posted on the CA nursing website. (Of course, I would have to interview and be chosen for the position, that goes without saying.) I have gathered from my research that each state employee is being asked to take 3 days a month furlough from their job to cut the salaries by 13%. I am confused. Since traditionally nurses are ALWAYS understaffed, and there is obviously always vacation and sick time to cover for.....how does this work with the furlough vs. overtime in CA now? And how do agency nurses figure into this? How can they ask you to take days off without pay, and then pay overtime? And is the overtime offered to state employees first, before an agency nurse, or do they use the agency nurses to get around the furlough issue? It must be a big mess/headache for the nurse administrators and managers to figure out. Can someone that works in CA corrections as an RN enlighten me??

Thanks so very much. And...what is the demand now for overtime in the facilities...does it still simply depend on which facility you are at? I was told there was one RN that had a current assignment in CA through Supplemental (my preferred agency/employer), and she was being asked to work doubles all the time. hmmmmm......