Corrections Nurse for a New Grad

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Hey y’all,

I’m a new grad and am interviewing and applying like crazy right now. I see an offer for a corrections nurse. Does anyone have any experience with this or any insight?

Specializes in ICU, ER, Home Health, Corrections, School Nurse.

Scenario: officers bring in an inmate who can barely stand up and is sweating profusely. He states he thinks he is having an anaphylactic reaction. First vitals are 80 over palp. He looks like he is ready to arrest. You are the only one there. Nearest medical help is two blocks away in another building. And then he arrests. It's just you...no code team, no code blue button to push to summon help.

Scenario: Officers bring in an inmate who supposedly took "something." Inmate is completely out of control to the extent that 4-5 burly officers are having trouble keeping him under control as he is flailing and kicking and screaming and punching and foaming at the mouth. Now he's all yours.

Common scenario: A man down is called and you and your ER kit go rushing to the scene. Inmate is lying face down on his bunk, unresponsive. What do you do?

All these scenarios (and I could list many more) need excellent assessment skills, and experience in emergency responses, as well as just experience dealing with medical issues. Now, if as a new grad, you are going to be working closely with others as a team, who can orient you and bring you up to speed, then maaaaaaybeeee. Or if you would just be assigned to medpass, then, again, maybe.

Overall, I would recommend what everyone always recommends to new nurses, get some experience in med surg, then figure out what you want to do later.

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@OvercastI had my interview today at RJ Donovan (state prison) and it went well I had 7 question 3 of which were scenario based questions. It was a two person panel interview where two supervising RNs where the ones interviewing me. They did stress that working any shifts and being mandated at times to stay overtime where part of the job and if I was ok with that. As a new nurse with student loan debt umm yes I’m ok with that lol. One of the gals that I know works there and she told me that nurse there are dropping like flies because some are retiring some are moving and most are contracted and their contract With the state has ended.
FYI?

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Specializes in Mental health.

@monylo32 thanks for your comment I am interested in working at Donovan prison I live in la and right now I’m struggling with choosing an RN program or a psychiatric technician program. I already got in the psych tech program. I’ve been a caregiver for seven years and my passion is mental health, I want to get into the prison while I continue on to become a psychiatrist. I want to practice at the prison and build a pension. How was the initial process applying? How did you feel about your interview? Please let me know if you got hired. I know as a psych tech I can apply four months before graduating but RN has more options, pay, and class schedule and options.

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1 hour ago, monylo32 said:

@OvercastI had my interview today at RJ Donovan (state prison) and it went well I had 7 question 3 of which were scenario based questions. It was a two person panel interview where two supervising RNs where the ones interviewing me. They did stress that working any shifts and being mandated at times to stay overtime where part of the job and if I was ok with that. As a new nurse with student loan debt umm yes I’m ok with that lol. One of the gals that I know works there and she told me that nurse there are dropping like flies because some are retiring some are moving and most are contracted and their contract With the state has ended.
FYI?

Thank you for the update; I appreciate it a lot. Congrats on getting through that interview... I hope you get the job! May I ask where you went to school? Apologies if you already mentioned it.

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@Teejay323ill keep you updated. As far as application interview process I had taken the rn exam back in April when I was still in my fourth semester And passed with an 85. As far as applying learned that If I wasn’t licensed my application wouldn’t get processed for interview until I had the license. Once I got licensed back in Early November I immediately Applied for the Rn position they had available and heard back from them late December that I had an interview for early January which was today. They said they would let me know within 30 days of a decision but it probably going to be sooner than that if I am picked contingent I pass background

@Overcasti graduated from Palomar college in norther county of San diego

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Specializes in Mental health.

@monylo32 thank you for the quick reply! I look forward to your update.

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Hello , I am new to this form but want to thank those who gave details of corrections nursing, I have been hired by a contract company to work in a Florida facility. This is my first assignment outside an ASC. I appreciate any advice.

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Specializes in New Grad.
On 1/2/2020 at 4:45 AM, Overcast said:

Is it difficult getting hired o to corrections as a new grad? Everywhere I read states the eligibility requires a couple years of nursing experience; in particularly in a specialty, plus certain certifications, etc.

I will be graduating with an ADN from USC/LA County nursing school (LA County Hospital) and then I will have a BSN a year later.

I would like to get my pension started. Do I need to wait to apply until I have years experience?

Did you just apply online as a random person? Did you follow up in person or over the phone?
How long did it take to hear back once applying online?

I have a 1203.4 on my record, which is a dismissal from an old case decades ago. County overlooks this. Would federal?

Thank you!

Hi sorry for the late response, they really need an app for this site. So here’s my story.

-Graduated with my BSN this past December.
-Saw a job on indeed.com for corrections nurses in Pittsburgh,PA with a starting pay of 34/hr (higher than all other jobs on indeed). Also saw jobs for the same place for LPNs starting at 25/hr.

-Applied to it even though it says requirements (LICENSED BSN). I got a call the next day. The prison uses contracts from this company which provides nurses for them. The “interview” was basically her telling me about the job and the do’s the donts and random stories. Basically there was no interview at least on the phone. She said just send me the info I’ll email you, and take your NCLEX ASAP so you can start.

-THE END LOL

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Oh man nursy makes a good point. I will have to agree with nursy. Touch environment for someone just fresh out of school. Makes me wonder why in the local C. I. They target brand new nurses as applicants ... other than financially that is.. yikes ?

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Specializes in ICU, ER, Home Health, Corrections, School Nurse.

Corrections is notoriously short staffed, and has trouble filling positions, especially nights. So they may target new grads, cause they are desperate. Just another reason why being a new grad in corrections is not a great idea. Unless, like I mentioned, you are just doing medpass. But if that is the case, you will never develop any nursing skills.

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Yikes. what about compensation nursy? What has/was your experience like in corrections on that end

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Specializes in ICU, ER, Home Health, Corrections, School Nurse.

Definitely less than the hospital, but I think it depends on where you are.

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