CA budget cuts and overtime in CA corrections for nurses

[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 applying for one of those "limited term for 12 months" positions that are posted on the CA corrections website. 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 .....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......