Accepted my 3rd shift job offer today!

360joules · Mar 30, 2010

Be respectful to everyone, inmates and staff, at all times. Never say anything about anyone (inmates or staff) you wouldn't say directly to their face (at least while inside the wire.)

Don't be afraid to write someone up (after proper verbal warning, of course) if they cross any of your verbal or physical boundaries.

Never, under any circumstances, for any reason, allow an inmate to seduce you. Many of them can be quite charming, and can sense when you're vulnerable. (It happens. Frequently. Be forewarned.)

trimeduRN, BSN · Mar 30, 2010

I'm so excited to be starting fresh as a Corrections Nurse on 3rd shift! Does anyone have any advice for me being new to this area?

What state are you in? I accepted a 3rd shift prison offer in NCBOC as a traveler? It will be my first corrections position as well.

GoECU · Mar 31, 2010

I'll be in Maury, NC. Where will you be at?

trimeduRN, BSN · Mar 31, 2010

What state are you in? I accepted a 3rd shift prison offer in NCBOC as a traveler? It will be my first corrections position as well.

I will be at Hoke county, right outside of Fayetteville. Good luck to you.. When do you start? We should keep in touch to see if things are ran the same. Is it a jail or prison?

GoECU · Mar 31, 2010

I will be in a prison. I am waiting for Human Resources to call me back with my start date...hoping it is next week! Good luck to you!:)

Chaoticdreams33, MSN, RN · Apr 2, 2010

:balloons: Congrats to both of you!

I just started last week, but I would second 360joules advice. Keep your eyes and ears open and take in all you can during your orientation!

cincin1 · Apr 29, 2010

Hi choatic, I was wondering how long the whole process of getting the prison job took. I just sent back a 'letter of inquiry' from SQ a day ago, and have received another from Folsom. I mailed them back right away, and I took it upon myself to mail some general applications to other facilities....

My rank was 3 out of 29 I think, I am basically a new grad, but have experience working at Napa State during clinicals. Do I have any chance of being called for an interview? After the letter of inquiry is sent back, do you automatically get an interview? How many interviews are there? Also, I heard something about a lie detector test. I'm not worried about that but am curious what kind of questions they could possibly ask. Also what does the physical test entail? To be a nurse we already have been cleared of wrongdoings, and have proven that we can lift heavy things and stay on our feet for hours.

As you can tell I am pretty desperate for a job. There is not much out there for us new grads right now; and that is more scary than prison to me. I can appreciate that you have to be careful on the job, but I grew up in a rough area (high school was basically like a prison with race riots going on once a month), and I am also a big size (6 ft tall) woman who could probably do a decent take down.

Okay thanks for your help and congrats on your new job. :yeah:

Chaoticdreams33, MSN, RN · Apr 29, 2010

cincin1- I am from CT, not CA, so the process sounds very different. It took about 5 months total though, from first application to starting the job.

I wouldn't worry about the physical test, I can't imagine it will be too difficult. Mine was very easy. I think that your experience in clinical is corrections will be good, as you know what you are getting into, but it's hard to say what they are really looking for.

Good luck!

Can anyone from CA answer these questions?

madwife2002, BSN, RN · May 1, 2010

Hi choatic, I was wondering how long the whole process of getting the prison job took. I just sent back a 'letter of inquiry' from SQ a day ago, and have received another from Folsom. I mailed them back right away, and I took it upon myself to mail some general applications to other facilities....
My rank was 3 out of 29 I think, I am basically a new grad, but have experience working at Napa State during clinicals. Do I have any chance of being called for an interview? After the letter of inquiry is sent back, do you automatically get an interview? How many interviews are there? Also, I heard something about a lie detector test. I'm not worried about that but am curious what kind of questions they could possibly ask. Also what does the physical test entail? To be a nurse we already have been cleared of wrongdoings, and have proven that we can lift heavy things and stay on our feet for hours.
As you can tell I am pretty desperate for a job. There is not much out there for us new grads right now; and that is more scary than prison to me. I can appreciate that you have to be careful on the job, but I grew up in a rough area (high school was basically like a prison with race riots going on once a month), and I am also a big size (6 ft tall) woman who could probably do a decent take down.
Okay thanks for your help and congrats on your new job.

My dh worked in a Jail and had to take the lie detector test which is basically a test to see if you can be trusted.

so no matter what they ask you just tell the truth even if it is embarrasing or something you did years ago and are ashamed of. If anything pops into your head when they ask a question just answer truthfully. they are not out to shame you they are out to see if you are a truthful person.

Anne128 · May 2, 2010

Newbie soon to Norcal corrections. Any advice would be appreciated. I am concerned with any potential common staff issues to watch for as a newbie and some advice as to how to get through that step. Is it hard to break in as a new staff member? I am less worried about the inmates! (it's a given the inmates are high risk..guards up, no problem) I guess I really want to know what the nursing culture is like.. The ideal for myself would be to JUST to be safe, to deliver the best medical care, and ignore the rest of the drama. Is this possible in the prison setting? Prison nurses get so much negative publicity, which cannot be true across the board. Are good nurses welcomed in general or dismayed upon by a negative nurse culture?

cincin1 · May 15, 2010

Sorry to not have any answers for you Anne, only questions. I have applied to all the correctional places in Calif about 2 months ago. I received a few letters of inquiry about 4 weeks ago, which I promptly responded to. I think my rank was about 2 or 3 for SQ....Anyways, was wondering what the chances of being called back for second interview (and hired) are and, how long will it take? When did you start the whole process? I accepted and am getting ready to start a LTC job on the outside but the pay is not that good and I heard it is a really, really hard job (28 to 1 RN ratio). So natually I want to keep my options open and hope to get a job in corrections or DMH in a unit that actually does some acute nursing. Thanks, I hope someone answers your questions too, I think maybe you should start your own thread as maybe your message is being lost within mine. Good luck.