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!

First thing, notify the C.O. the inmate is HIS responsibility, then move him into the clinic for a workup for an O.D. I.V.,Blood sugar for accuracy , Call the MD on duty

first apply oxygen!!! what is HR and 02 sat? i agree with exploring OD

I remember a huge state prison I did an interview for for a travel position. It was extremely different than any kind of interview i'd done in the past. Maybe someone who works in the big prison life can answer this for me. They say you will have to use your critical thinking and nursing judgment and be able to act. Knowing the #1 thing is your personal safety.

Questions I remember were

1. Inmate collapses in yard, what will you do?

2. Inmate is telling you the insulin you just drew up to give him was done wrong and refusing to use, what would you do?

3. Remembering your not an ER what would you do for a chest pain with diaphoresis?

4. Pt. becomes suicidal and threatening what would be your next step?

I see a lot of questions on here, but no real answers...my biggest one is, the insulin question, they tell you remembering that you did it correctly, what would you do at this point?

Very good questions, but in my opinion so in detail, that different prisons have different capabilities, and without giving me a rundown of the access and medical building allowance is hard to determine my what the policies and boundary for care would be.

i would give i/m benefit of the doubt and redraw. ive seen an i/m drop because he was given regular instead of lantus (not by me). if he still refuses i would fill out and have im sign refusal form. if i was lvn i would notify rn or dr of refusal.

Interviewed for a minimum security rehab facility last week. I mostly got general behavioral questions, and they went right down a little questionnaire packet.

What would you do if you overheard two employees gossiping?

How would you handle conflict with a co-worker?

What's your management style?

Tell us about your supervisory experience. (to a new grad- ha!)

What would you do if an inmate asked you for a favor?

Why do you want to work in corrections?

What qualifies you to be the first responder in an emergency?

I did extensive research here, and on the 'net, looking up all the behavioral interview questions I could. I researched the facility, the medical contractor, and corrections nursing in general. There wasn't a single question posed that I hadn't already thought about in some form, and I had ready, eloquent answers prepared. The research allowed me to make some informed comments and ask specific, intelligent questions. I received a rejection letter about 3 days later, but about 3 days after that, I got a call from HR. They said the NM and director had to choose a more experienced candidate, but were so impressed with my interview that they wanted to hire me PRN so I could go through orientation and begin preparing for a FT position.

Hello All! I'm wondering, are the interviews for nurses correctional facility and RN safety ( DMH ) the same? From my understanding of the position i applied for, the RN Safety are psych nurses and work for DMH at CMF? So, do u work at a separate facility then? And is the 1st oral exam interview more on psych nursing or nursing in general? I am reviewing and prepping for questions but not sure if i should focus on mental disorders instead of TB, MI, diabetes.... Thank you!

Thanks Lory for this post...I studied the advice given and got the job...I start Monday and I am excited!!! This was a very helpful post...I had questions like the Six rights of Medications...difference between Nph insulin and Regular insulin...which to draw up first....which one is long acting?..I also had a question saying a patient stated she wanted to take a needle to practice giving herself insulin injections...what would I say?...Of Course No...And the last I can remember was why do I want to work in a Correctional Facility? I hope that help anybody in the future...I would like to Thank everyone who posted because your posts defiently prepared me and gave me the confidence I needed...I was late to the interview because I couldnt find it but when I walked out of there I knew I nailed it despite my tardiness....Bit of advice ....drive to facility the night before your interview....Thanks once more and good luck to anyone going for a job at the correcdtional facility!...To God Be The Glory!!!

Thanks to everyone who chimed in and posted their insights on this thread! I have an interview with a CA prison this Wednesday and this info has been incredibly helpful!

:bow:

Specializes in Emergency Department.

see below.

kayleeb said:

1. Inmate collapses in yard, what will you do?

Ask security to clear the yard first!

kayleeb said:

2. Inmate is telling you the insulin you just drew up to give him was done wrong and refusing to use, what would you do?

Tell the I/m you will check the mar when you get back, but in the meantime, have him sign a refusal form if you have one.

kayleeb said:

3. Remembering your not an er what would you do for a chest pain with diaphoresis?

A - call an ics and depending on your assessment, call 911 or call the main medical dept to send help.

4. Pt. Becomes suicidal and threatening what would be your next step?

A - call psych to have them evaluate the I/m. They will most likely put him on suicide watch. If no psych is available, medical will have to evaluate him and then call the on-call psych and then put him on watch.

Call an ics and depending on your assessment, call 911 or call the main medical dept to send help.

kayleeb said:

4. Pt. Becomes suicidal and threatening what would be your next step?

Call psych to have them evaluate the I/m. They will most likely put him on suicide watch. If no psych is available, medical will have to evaluate him and then call the on-call psych and then put him on watch.

 

Great job!! How are you liking your position now?

Hi Siamo

Am considering a position in Corrections. Just wondering ow you like your new job?

To dalgal--

Just wondering how you are liking your new job.

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