New RN Grad going to CA Prisons

Specialties Correctional

Published

Hello everyone,

Im starting my classes soon and hope to graduate around 2015. My ultimate passion is to work in the prison system or jail systems in CA... To this date, do they still hire New Grads?

I have many friends as CO's in the prisions and wanted to know if that helps getting in as well?

Is there any externships I can do while in school for me to get into the prison systems?

I am an RN for CDC ...the CNA route will not help at all ... CDC should be opening the HUGE hospital in Stockton about the time you graduate. The big need will be RNs not CNAs.... There will be a need for RNs at the hospital ..plus openings will occur at the prisons with normal attrition ...as well as existing RNs transferring to the new hospital.

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What about LVN's?

I am an RN for CDC ...the CNA route will not help at all ... CDC should be opening the HUGE hospital in Stockton about the time you graduate. The big need will be RNs not CNAs.... There will be a need for RNs at the hospital ..plus openings will occur at the prisons with normal attrition ...as well as existing RNs transferring to the new hospital.
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There will certainly be needs for LVNs ... One important issue is pay scale ..the pay scale for a RN will be signicantly more .. Also if you want to go into management in the future you will need a RN level to be promoted .. Everything is a trade off or compromise.. You just need to decide what is best for you.

Best of Luck

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Is the work at prison backbreaking? Do u have to lift patients?

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Specializes in ICU, psych, corrections.

I work in Nevada and currently, the rate of pay for our LPN's is $51,000 for an LPN I and $56,000 for an LPN II (I think you have to be at the prison for a year before becoming an LPN II). It's a very good job and if I were an LPN, I would definitely want to work here vs anywhere else (knowing the working conditions for LPN's in our area).

Our RN's start at around $80,000 a year. So there is a big pay jump from LPN to RN.

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Specializes in EMS, Clinic, Hospice, Corrections.

I have no experience in CA but:

definitely TAKE the EMT course for the experience.... don't try to challenge it.

as to new grads. I have only around 7 years corrections experience but if you are a new grad and especially a younger person I would not recommend starting in corrections if you have other opportunities. even if you are the best new grad nurse in the world. and the most mature.

Because it will be harder for you when you are younger than older. When the inmates see a new young nurse come in, male or female, you will be the focus of their creative manipulative energies until another distraction comes along. So you skills will be challenged to the max. Not just nursing skills but people skills, that often take years to fully develop. Remember that while of course there are many very legitimately sick people inside, medical visits and seeing what they can "get" is a recreational activity for many inmates. So you need to think veterinary medicine sometimes.

When I started in corrections I had about 8 years nursing experience but 25 years EMS experience, and in many ways the EMS/Paramedic experience was probably the more valuable in many ways. A common saying is that "how can you tell when an inmate is lying.. his lips are moving" sadly there is a lot of truth to it. It takes a lot of experience to not be manipulated. Now this is less of a problem in jails.

With all of this said I do wish you luck, maybe my rambling will give you food for thought, you should also read a book "Downing A Duck" about some of the more overt manipulations that happened inside. You will sit in your home and say that would never happen to me, but some of our employees were escorted out of our facility that I never would have thought it would have happened to.

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Specializes in MedSurg.

Can u pls give me the title of that book again? I just started working for prison system after so many years of bedside rn. I need all the references and resources I can get to minimize mistakes and getting manipulated by my new client population.

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Anyone still hanging around this forum? I'm just wondering if it's possible to get hired as a new grad? I'm still in prenursing phase, but it's still like some insight into the position including starting pay. ..if they're hiring or on a freeze?

Thanks!

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Specializes in Developmentally delayed.

Probably depends where your at if your near Avenel they are hiring, they are always hiring. Many are many aren't. But it takes apx 6 months to get hired so don't get discouraged and apply everywhere.

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Probably depends where your at if your near Avenel they are hiring, they are always hiring. Many are many aren't. But it takes apx 6 months to get hired so don't get discouraged and apply everywhere.

I am not familiar with Avenel thank you for the heads up I've never even heard of the city lol I am willing to relocate. Do you like working in the prison system? I know they've been over working nurses in California.Other then that are the conditions acceptable?

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Specializes in Developmentally delayed.

Yes I love it and I'm glad I switched from private sector. We have lots of OT which can be good or bad. Lol. Lots of money!

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Yes I love it and I'm glad I switched from private sector. We have lots of OT which can be good or bad. Lol. Lots of money!

LOL! !!!! THAT'S great! hey nothing wrong with OT especially after all those college loans. Thank you for your feedback! I'm happy it's a good environment. I plan to work in the prisons to gain experience and pay off student loans right after i graduate.

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