Common Correctional Nursing Interview Questions

Specialties Correctional Nursing Q/A

I'm collecting a compendium of Interview Questions and best answers for folks prepping for a correctional nursing job interviews. Could you chime in with yours even if you might have posted elsewhere on this forum? It would be good to have them all in one place for newbies searching this site.

Thanks for all the time and effort you spend helping new correctional nurses learn the ropes!

Hey there stranger! :) It's Tammy S. I always watched the applicants reaction to the inmates as we entered the facility, or went through medical where there might be groups of inmates. I always made the manipulation factor very clear, and I also relied fairly heavily on their responses about what they would do if they saw a co-worker doing something wrong (on whatever level that might be). It worked pretty well, as I usually ended up with dependable nurses who stayed and handled the inmate atmosphere successfully and did a great job. :D

Specializes in Emergency Room.

I work ft in an ER for past 5 years. I have my tncc, enpc, along with years of nonviolent crisis intervention (cpi). I deal with behavioral health, pink slips, detox, and etoh withdrawal symptoms on a daily basis since we are so close proximity to a desired inpatient mental health/ detox facility. I will be starting grad school in the fall for acute care np. There is a pt position at the local jail that I recently came across. I'm thinking about applying. I only work 3x week and I'd like to work additional 1-2 days a week because I have so much down time. Would correctional nursing be a good fit for me? I plan on staying ft in the ER - just feel jail nursing would be new, fun, and interesting. Would also provide good education and new perspectives. Good fit? I may pick up an application today.

What would be a decent answer to that question? We ask applicants to tell us something we might not know about them from reading their applications.

I am interviewing in S.Cali next week. I have been out of school for a year and no nursing experience, freaking out right now! Don't even know what they would want for those questions. Ugghhh this will be my first nursing interview!!!!

Yikes!!! I am getting more nervous reading these! I'm afraid I'll freeze up. How did you answer some of these? I interview next week. First nurse interview and out of school for a year already :(

I found this to be very helpful. I read everybody's post last night and went for the interview this morning at Fresno county jail. I've been working for two years at a pediatric hospital but was always interested in corrections. I was offered the job on the spot. I hope I don't regret this transition.

Specializes in Forensic Psych RN.

Congratulations! It sounds like you have a good idea of what your patient demographic is, and you made the choice to be there. Here is some unsolicited free advice from me: I would read through Lorry Schoenly's blogs for some quick education for starting the job and go back and read it more when you have time. Ask your facility for the DMV paperwork you can file, through your facility, to have your personal information suppressed for privacy. Always trust that little voice in your head, but never trust an inmate, though give them the same respect, as earned and with appropriate boundaries, to the inmates that you would want. Do what you say. Inmates know the staff that does what they said they would do and the ones that do not. It is the fasted way to earn respect and have the population work with you. Always go to your team and immediately report any funny business like inmates trying to get you to bring things in. For example, I worked with a nurse, and went through school with her, that was asked by an inmate to bring in a flash drive. Of course she refused. Because he was to be discharged in the near future, she let it go and did not report it. The inmate, probably as an offense, told staff she was soliciting him for sex in the treatment room. It almost ruined her career, caused her license to be in jeopardy and she was under investigation. It all turned out well but it was a lot of hell to go through. In any gray areas report and chart. I document any staff related issues by sending myself an email on the hospital email which gives it a time and date stamp. Believe me, sometimes it is hard to tell the inmates from some staff. Sometimes the less said to inmates the better, i.e. explaining certain processes...that can set someone off if it isn't what they want to hear. Never be alone. Fresno has a HUGE meth problem so that is probably a lot of what you will see. Keep in mind that most of your population will be detoxing whether it is drugs or alcohol which also makes them impulsive and dangerous. If you are a RN, you are most likely the highest level of medical during your shift unless the physician is present. Remember that and do not let any staff try to circumvent you on clinical decisions. I work for the State of CA. You may want to look at the open jobs in the state hospital system. It is also forensic, butdifferent kind of population as it is psych. The pay and benefits are very, very good. Best of luck and get used to not wanting anyone walking behind you ever. :up:

Can anyone answer this please? If you see inmate hanging with strain, what would you do?

Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.
ripy said:
Can anyone answer this please? If you see inmate hanging with strain, what would you do?

What do you think should be done?

Thanks for answer my question.i answered same as above you replied, but they ask me after help come then what would u do?i explained them to assess the inmate and call emergency help,but they still not statisfied from my answered.

Hi, i just wanted to thank everyone of you for the help. I read all the posts for the corrections interview. I went on Tues. and was so prepared that i got the job. Thank you all again. This is such a great site!!

I have schedule to have interview at the state prison ,what are the frequently question ask?Thanks!

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