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!

I found all of the replies so helpful I wanted to share the interview questions I was recently asked. They asked me to tell them about myself, why wanted to work for the prison & if I was willing to work mandatory OT. If I knew standard (Universal precautions), the signs & symptoms of TB & what would I do if I found an inmate down. Scenario ?'s like if there was an inmate with over 200 blood sugar & no coverage, hypertensive inmate c/o HA & ESRD w/sepsis. ?‍⚕️

Wow! Thanks so much for all of the information you've all contributed! I am a recent grad, and applied YESTERDAY for a position at a county jail. They called me this morning, and my interview is tomorrow! :eek: I've been applying just about everywhere since obtaining my license, and this was my VERY FIRST call back. Super excited.. super nervous!

I'm glad I checked out this thread.. it really gave me a good idea of what I can expect. Thanks again, and I will hopefully know something good soon!

Specializes in Emergency Room, Hospice/Palliative Care.
mamabear71 said:
Wow! Thanks so much for all of the information you've all contributed! I am a recent grad, and applied YESTERDAY for a position at a county jail. They called me this morning, and my interview is tomorrow! :eek: I've been applying just about everywhere since obtaining my license, and this was my VERY FIRST call back. Super excited.. super nervous!

I'm glad I checked out this thread.. it really gave me a good idea of what I can expect. Thanks again, and I will hopefully know something good soon!

Wow!! Congrats! What state are you in? That was fast. I applied in Los Angeles 2 months ago and received my letter last week that I am in tier I for open positions, but no calls yet. Wish it was that fast for me!

I'm in Florida. I've had my license for two months and have had zero luck finding anything in my area. This position is actually about a half hour away, but if they offer it to me, I'll take it! It's just an interview, so I'm trying not to get my hopes up. Thanks for wishing me luck!

Good luck to you!! :yeah: I'm sure you'll hear something soon.

I just interviewed for ca state and these post replies were exactly what one needs to know. Sorry cant be more specific because I was told not to repeat questions.

I finally got a call back on Monday.. I GOT THE JOB! :anpom: I start Friday, and although it's only every other weekend.. very part-time, I'm thrilled! This is exactly the kind of nursing that I want to do. The more I talk to my former classmates who are getting hired on at LTC facilities, they are overwhelmed, overworked, and terrified that they'll lose their license. No thanks.

Good lucks to everyone going on interviews.. don't give up! :nurse:

Thanks for all the practice questions! This is really helpful. I've had one interview at a California prison, and have another scheduled.

Here are some of the questions I remember from my interview.

  1. Be able to identify the signs and symptoms, interventions, and anticipated tests for TB.
  2. Know the signs and symptoms, interventions, and anticipated Doctor's tests for narcotic overdose.
  3. Know signs symptoms, interventions, and tests for high blood sugar/low blood sugar.

Great questions to add to our prep list! These are key inmate-patient disease issues. Thanks for sharing them and glad this list was helpful to you!

Lorry

i have an interview via phone tomorrow at a low security prison. and everything has been very helpful, thank you!

Specializes in Emergency Room, Hospice/Palliative Care.

Good luck-you will be fine. Know the nursing process.

Specializes in med/surg/tele/neuro/rehab/corrections.

I have an interview at Donovan in a few days. I really hope I get the job. What should I expect?

Specializes in med/surg/tele/neuro/rehab/corrections.

I just wanted to answer this one question. This is what I thought of.

5 surgery pre-op checklist

All consents signed

Maintain NPO after MN

Remove all jewelry, hairpins and makeup

Clean gown and cap

Void, document time

V/S

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