CMS and others

[Katnip]

Are there other correctional agencies besides CMS? Does anyone know if CMS is good to work with? I've done some research and it seems they've been sued by several states for providing poor care. I don't know if they've improved or not since then. Also, I can't find anything on other agencies in our area.

Thanks in advance.

Kat

[Katnip, RN]

Hi,

Yes, it was Hagerstown. Hagerstown did not have any govt. nurses left. I believe CMS currently holds the contract for all MD state prisons, but I could be wrong. There are probably a few state nurses left in a prison or two, but I would imagine not many. The Hagerstown location had one that was working side-by-side with CMS employees for a few years, but that was long before my time. The pay is lower and many nurses only stayed a few weeks, but then you had the long-term employees that had been there for awhile. They kind of cleaned house of some of their mgt. employees shortly before I left. I would use caution if interested in a mgt. position since the responsibilites were great, but the resources were few!! They had an awesome ADON when I left, but I don't know if she is still there. They went through a few unit managers while I was there.

I believe all prisons in MD are CMS, but not all prisons in the U.S. I currently work as a state employee at a prison in another state. Much better staffing and benefits. I'm only pool, so those items don't affect me.

You're right. CMS holds a contract with all or almost all MD's state prisons. I know one person who worked for them in MD years ago and they lost their contract. They are who I am going to be interviewing with. The boss gets back from vacation Monday and I'm supposed to call her then.

There also may be a position in a county jail also, as a staff nurse and I'd prefer that since I know the manager there and she's great. She's on vacation, too.

I've got a background in critical care, ED, psych, and management, so I think I should be ok as far as skills and abilities.

[Itshamrtym]

GOOD luck katnip!!!! With your qualifications you should be a shoe in...

take care....

[edithb]

Katnip

Have you thought about MHM, they provide the psy services for many state prisons. I know alabama and georgia are two of several. I work in alabama. It is great. You deal with the i/m that are on the mental health unit. I am a LPN.

[butterflyball]

As a staff nurse for CMS all I can say is that the care which is given to the inmates is only as good as the nurse who is giving it. :redbeathe

[jailhousegranny]

I too work for CMS in a county jail. I have been here 4 years and I love it. You can find lousy nursing any where you go, I think it just depends on the Nsg. admin. If they let people slide at their work you end up with work not getting done and the inmates suffer for it.. Wages here are in line with the LTC facilitys for LPNs. It does take a while to get used to the not showing you care etc. because soooo many of these guys are just looking for a reaction..

[Katnip, RN]

I have an interview in an hour with CMS. I'll look into MHM as well. Thanks for all the info, everyone!

[Itshamrtym]

I have an interview in an hour with CMS. I'll look into MHM as well. Thanks for all the info, everyone!

gOOD LUCK TO YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Itshamrtym]

I have an interview in an hour with CMS. I'll look into MHM as well. Thanks for all the info, everyone!

Katnip: how is it going??? Did you get the job?? Good luck......:redbeathe:nurse:

[Katnip, RN]

I had my interview. It went very well. The only problem I had was asking if I minded working M-F 12 hours each day. So I turned down the offer of a second interview.

Otherwise, the job itself looked really good.

[smchng316]

I recently began working at a PHS facility in VT. It is a new experience for me and I agree that every company has it's policies and procedures and expectations. it is all in howyour managers set the tone