Correctional nursing question??

Depends on the facility and the DON. You are given a series of situational type questions that are common scenarios in the prison system. It is not always that you know all the right answers but can show off your critical thinking skills.

So, can I infer from your answer that, depending on the facility and the DON, if I were to do good on the test and show remarkable critical thinking skills, then I could be hired as a new grad with no experience?

I don't see how a year in LTC could hurt. Plenty of new grads flowing in to corrections where I live. Hospitals will not hire, so how to make a buck? I would scour here and other places on the internet to get a feel for the job of correctional nursing first. Typically, you will be expected to consider your own safety first, then to your coworkers, and finally to the health of the I/M. If you don't, you will be a threat to the safety of the staff. There are also very good books out there on corrections. This one gets a lot of good reviews, almost a "bible" to corrections work

http://www.amazon.com/Games-Criminals-Play-Profit-Knowing/product-reviews/0960522603/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1

Bottom line: Your experience would be very helpful, IMO.