Student looking for answers and insight on Corrections

[MWJamesLDS]

So I think this is my first post on the forums, though I have been reading through them here and there for a good year. I am currently a mid 20's male going through an Accelerated BSN program in California. I graduate in March of 09. From the get go I have been interested in working for corrections or State Hospitals. I won't lie, the first thing that caught my eye was the large Salary. (I know many people seem to think that nurses and teachers should simply want to work for the love of helping people, even if means for free, but I guess I'm not that Generous. I do really enjoy the field though, so more money means I can better support the family and my wonderful wife can stay home with the kids!) Anyway, my for my questions:

Has anyone worked in both the State hospitals like Atascadero state and the state prisons? If so, how would you compare the two? Work environment etc. Also, I've found out that Atascadero State Hospital as well as the One in Vacaville tend to try on par with the state prisons, but others like Metropolitan in Norwalk, CA at least don't advertise they do the same. Does anyone know much about that, Do the state hospitals all pay the same, or have some avoided the supplemental pay to meet par with state prisons?

Next, I keep seeing that there are thousands of people waiting to work in corrections. Is this urban legend? Where is that information coming from? Obviously the pay is good. However, we had a recruiter from Atascadero State Hospital at our school trying to pick up new recruits, I know it's a different department, but the pay appears to be close.

Next, what traits would you say one need to succeed in a corrections environment? I'm already a bit cynical with a healthy skepticism of others. So I'm not worried about a go luck nature being crushed by the behavior of inmates. Also, my first Bachelor's degree is in Cognitive Psychology. Would this be any help as an RN in either facility? Or would I have to go on to be NP before that is useful in the practice.

I will be committed to work for a local hospital for 2 years after graduation working for a measly $27 an hour (I know that's good for some states, but around here, it's kind of crappy. In Visalia, just 80 miles north, pay starts at $34 and cost of living is lower. Let's not get started on how much you can get paid in Northern California). So during this indentured servitude of 2 years ( the hospital didn't even pay my tut ion, just some instructors salaries, yet apparently they can still demand the commitment.....) I am considering getting my MSN and FNP. (I know people have strong opinions on going to an NP so soon, but seriously, if I was in Med school I'd start working on people with limited experience too. Not looking for the wait 10-20 years before becoming an NP response ) This could this could cost me a good 20-30K or so. I know on the outside, many NP take a cut in pay vs. time as an RN; however in the corrections they seem to make 120K to the RN's approx 87K. Has anyone worked as an RN and NP in corrections, which did you prefer. Did the pay increase pay off? How about practice as an NP. The Atascadero State recruiter told me FNP's tend to get more autonomy than the MHNP's. Anyone with experience there??

Also, how easy is it to get overtime in corrections as either an RN or FNP? Is it readily available?

Lastly, Since I will be working for sure as an RN at a local hospital for a min of 2 years after I graduate, what would be the best department to work in and gain experience to move on to being an RN in corrections(what are they looking for?) How early should you apply for jobs in the Corrections or state hospitals? I've read that the process can be long and drawn out.

Sorry for the supper long post, especially since I know some of the questions are kind of "me" specific, however, my resources for finding this info has been limited.

Thanks so, so much for any replies!

[RN Randy]

You know.. a lot of folks get hung up on salary and how the grass always appears greener over "here/there".

It's always a good idea to check out the cost to income ratio before renting that U-Haul, and here is a quick one: http://swz.salary.com/costoflivingwizard/layoutscripts/coll_start.asp

I live in WV and it says if I make $50,000 now, and move to Los Angeles, it will be over a 75% increase in COL and I will have to make $87,000 in order to maintain my current standard of living. Yes, I'll have to get a $37,000 a year raise just to break even. Last I checked, that 'difference' could easily be the *starting salary* for almost any given job in the country.

Now doesn't THAT put it in perspective?

And once you've done that, I absolutely dare you to look at your "total taxes, year to date" column on your pay check.

And it only gets worse from there.

rb

[MWJamesLDS]

Cost of Living has always been a hang up of mine, but I'm more or less stuck in California. My wife's family all lives in Orange County, CA and they were rather unhappy when I took her back to the central valley with me. They all assumed we could live just fine in the OC off a teacher and nurses salary. (they all bought 20+ years ago, so most of their home are worth 6 to 10 times what they bought it at, no way they could afford the same homes on the salary they have now.) However, I don't think we are leaving California anytime soon. My family all live in the central valley as well. Thankfully the Valley is a bit cheaper than SoCal. That all being said, there is something like 4 or 5 prisons in Kern county alone, so its not so much a case of the grass is always greener. I'm already on the other side of the hill, its a bit brown, but Im more or less stuck here. Atascadero (state hospital area) is a little more expensive, but not drasticly. So ya, anyway, if anyone has any info on the CA Corrections and state hospitals I'd love to hear it.

[RN Randy]

Yup, understand that completely. I'm a late life bloomer and finally realizing I'm working for that retirement package now as well.

So if you do get the op to head east, just give a yell, I'm sure we'll be here to help!

Good luck in your search!

rb