Common Correctional Nursing Interview Questions

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!

Specializes in ER, CCU, Admin, Transplant.

I will be sure to remember some of the interview questions I am asked on Monday and post them! I am going to review the correctional nursing section of my Forensics textbook! Will keep you updated!

So, can I just say that the only thing about the interview that makes me nervous is that it is street parking only, no parking on site and the neighborhood is extremely dangerous!!!!!

Is this interview in Baltimore? I can't remember. If for the Baltimore Jail, park on the street with the meters between the Jail complex and the Youth Center. Staff don't park there because of the meters so it is often open and it is a safe street. Bring a few quarters and you'll be fine :-)

(Disregard if I got you mixed up with another forum poster :uhoh3:)

I was thinking about my Baltimore jail parking advise and wanted to add that, although it should be relatively safe in daytime, you should still be savvy and alert on the street...as in any urban area. Lock all your valuables in the trunk. They probably already told you not to take much into the jail. Usually, I make it a policy to only take in my car key, drivers license, and any papers needed for my visit. Less to deal with at the security checkpoint. Someone should meet you there to walk you in. If you are interviewing with Francis, Kim, or Robbin, tell them how you know me and that I send my regards :heartbeat

Specializes in ER, CCU, Admin, Transplant.

Hey there Lorry, thanks for the info.

So here is what I was told-only bring my resume, drivers lic, SS card, and TB test results. I was told to place them in an envelope and bring nothing else. I was also told NOT to wear an underwire bra! I believe the gentleman that called me was Mr. Lee??(I have the notes in my car) I did drive to the facility this week, see where I need to go but there is a sign outside that says guards will let you in. So do I stand outside the doorway??

Also, I applied for a nurse position, but am being interviewed for a charge nurse position. Can you tell me what that would entail? Then I got an email from CMS stating they are also interviewing me for ADON position which I hardly think I qualify for???

Sorry to be so chatty! I do appreciate all your guidance. I would love to come and work with you-you are a great mentor!!!

Any thoughts, sugestions or comments are extremely welcome!!!!

Specializes in Psych, substance abuse, MR-DD.

My two interviews (two different CI's) were surprisingly easy so far. I have one more Monday, and I will see if they ask anything different.

The big question was what made me want to work in corrections. They also asked about my experience in general, if I had experience with IV insertion, and how I would feel working with inmates who have done some really terrible crimes.

All things I was expecting thanks to you guys on allnurses.com! Thanks:)

I have my fingers crossed for the FT day position, but I think I might take the per diem if that's what they offered me!

This is a great supportive group and I'm glad you found benefit in your interview prep! Keep us posted on how things turn out...

Specializes in Psych, substance abuse, MR-DD.

Thanks Lorry. I found out last night that I didn't get the ft day position at the facility closest to my home, they chose a RN with more years of experience. Can't blame them, but still sucks for me! I was pretty disappointed that I didn't get the job, the more that I see and read about correctional nursing, the more it seems like a great job for me.

But both of the CI's did recommend me for hire as a per diem. Which is actually a lot more $$ than FT, but obviously lacking all the great state benefits and the many weeks of training. They have 15 per diem positions and 45 applicants, I should hear by Fe 12th if I am one of the 15...

I'll update next week on my last interview!

so i read everyone's post and unfortunately it did not help me. There were 5 questions, and they were all situational clinical questions. I prepared myself for a different set of questions and these questions threw me off. I answered to the best of my knowledge, but here are the 5 questions I had:

1) Redness and tenderness on IV site.what do you do?

2) 5 surgery pre-op checklist

3) 5 interventions for patients with high risk for falls

4) What do you do if you the physician's order is not legible

5) Caring for an alzheimer patient with dementia. what are their characteristics during admission?

I hope this helps

Good Luck!

Specializes in Psych, substance abuse, MR-DD.

Sorry this thread didn't help you in your interview! You really never know what to expect. And everyone has different interviewing styles too. But thanks for sharing, I am sure it will help someone in the future!

Let us know when you hear back from them!

My last interview they asked what training or skills I had in emergency care.

my update: Much to my surprise, I got a call last week offering me a full time position:yeah: on evenings/ 3-11 :down: so I am not sure yet what I should do! and also, the pay is crap, which I don't really understand. Everywhere I have read, it seems that the pay is higher than other areas. Even with the differential I won't be making as much as I do now on days.

But I still think I am going to take it. Corrections just seems like it could be my thing.

I just went through the interview for one of the prisons in S. Cali. There were 5 questions:

  1. Describe your experience, training, skills, education in the field of nursing
  2. Case scenario: respiratory distress
  3. Case scenatio: MI
  4. Case scenario:CHF
  5. Case scenario:Abd pain unspecified

For the most part they wanted assessment, interventions, nursing diagnosis

The interview was scheduled at 14:00, 3 hrs later I finally got to go in and complete the nerve wracking 5 Q's which took 10min. They told me it would take 2 weeks for response, 4 days later they called me to tell me I got the job. Im happy.....Good luck to everyone

Specializes in Psych, substance abuse, MR-DD.

Congrats Kora0880! And thanks for sharing. I was surprised when they didn't give me any case scenarios, it seems to be common in correctional interviews!

SookieRN- I am in Connecticut.

I just had an interview at a CA prison, and thought I'd share the questions I was asked:

  1. What are the components of a physician's order?
  2. IM is shaky, dizzy, confused and is an insulin-dependent diabetic. What would you do?
  3. How do you complete a medication pass?
  4. Tramadol is prescribed for IM and he says "I've never taken this pill before." What would you tell him?
  5. Alarms have sounded off and 2 COs are with an IM who is in the shower, lying down and verbally non-responsive. What would you do?
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