Corrections Nurse for a New Grad

Specialties Correctional

Updated:   Published

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?

Yeah I figured it would be less than the hospital. I got 9 years of experience, in FL, trying to find the inside scoop of what the average compensation in corrections is around here vs other places

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

My experience was in New Mexico. I did find, however, that there was some room for negotiation. They would try to lowball you, but if you had good experience and they really wanted you, they would bump up the starting pay.

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Ahh good to know. Thank you, nursy, for your words of wisdom ?

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Specializes in Hospice, corrections, psychiatry, rehab, LTC.
On 1/27/2020 at 9:40 AM, justanothersunshinenurse said:

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 ?

My agency does not hire new graduates, other than in remote areas where they have trouble getting applicants. I am in the largest facility in the state, and this would be overwhelming for someone with no experience.

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Well that definitely sounds reasonable, Orca. Then maybe you can answer my other question about what is the avg pay for corrections RN ?

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Specializes in retired LTC.

Can't comment about wages, but I might add that one would prob be receiving civil service benefits.

But that WOULD NEVER out-trump INexperience. As PPs so wisely commented, a strong nsg background would be essential. And likely lifesaving.

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Specializes in ICU, ER, Home Health, Corrections, School Nurse.
25 minutes ago, justanothersunshinenurse said:

what is the avg pay for corrections RN ?

I don't know if there's a good answer for that. There are state run facilities, federal, county and private. There are a lot of private companies out there, and you may start working in a facility run by one private company, they lose the contract, and another private company takes over. When that happens, the pay and benefits can completely change, including loss of previous vacation time. The state run facility I worked for (run by a private company) payed less than the local county detention facility, who paid rather well (because they were hell to work for). If you want to know rates, you'd have to check with whatever facility you are interested in.

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@overcast @Teejay323 UPDATE!!! Ok so I told you guys I had applied/interviewed for both the county of San Diego jail facility and CDCR state prison (RJ Donovan). Yesterday I got a call from both offering me jobs!!! I have decided to go with the state. The position I applied for w/ the state is limited term intermittent meaning it’s not permanent, no benefits and I can only work so many hours a year where as the county would be full time with benefits. I know it sounds crazy going to the state but in the end the state for ME is a better choice a lot of this limited intermittent positions can be rolled over to permanent especially when I apply for those positions as they become available. Also the pay is better. Anyways just wanted to let you guys know!

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38 minutes ago, monylo32 said:

@overcast @Teejay323 UPDATE!!! Ok so I told you guys I had applied/interviewed for both the county of San Diego jail facility and CDCR state prison (RJ Donovan). Yesterday I got a call from both offering me jobs!!! I have decided to go with the state. The position I applied for w/ the state is limited term intermittent meaning it’s not permanent, no benefits and I can only work so many hours a year where as the county would be full time with benefits. I know it sounds crazy going to the state but in the end the state for ME is a better choice a lot of this limited intermittent positions can be rolled over to permanent especially when I apply for those positions as they become available. Also the pay is better. Anyways just wanted to let you guys know!

This is wonderful news; congrats to you! So the state benefits must be much better than county for you to hold out for a permanent position. I’ll have to look into that. In your previous post, you mentioned taking the NCLEX in April while you were in your 4th semester. How did that happen? I thought you had to have completed your RN program first? Also, I saw on the NCLEX app that you have to have all transcripts sent in...how long did it take the BRN to receive/process all your transcripts? I have relative transcripts from multiple school districts and some do not use the electronic delivery system...what happens if I apply 4 months before I finish my last semester just to give time for all my info. To be received/processed. Will I receive a letter of deficiency that will delay my application in the long run? What is your take?

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@Overcastwhen I said I took the exam it wasn’t the nclex but the exam for the state to be able to rank and apply. The nclex I didn’t take until early November. As far as nclex you’re better off waiting till all your classes are done because your school is the one to send in your transcripts showing you completed the program and deemed ready to test. I applied to BRN to take test early September and was notified by BRN by mid October That I could schedule an exam date which I did and took it three weeks after that.

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31 minutes ago, monylo32 said:

@Overcastwhen I said I took the exam it wasn’t the nclex but the exam for the state to be able to rank and apply. The nclex I didn’t take until early November. As far as nclex you’re better off waiting till all your classes are done because your school is the one to send in your transcripts showing you completed the program and deemed ready to test. I applied to BRN to take test early September and was notified by BRN by mid October That I could schedule an exam date which I did and took it three weeks after that.

Exam for the state to apply for the NCLEX? You have to take an exam to apply to take the NCLEX? I know some schools have an “exit” test, but I’ve never heard of a state exam to be able to rank and qualify for the NCLEX...

Please explain...

Thank you so much!!

Congrats again on your job offers!

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Specializes in New Grad.
7 minutes ago, Overcast said:

Exam for the state to apply for the NCLEX? You have to take an exam to apply to take the NCLEX? I know some schools have an “exit” test, but I’ve never heard of a state exam to be able to rank and qualify for the NCLEX...

Please explain...

Thank you so much!!

Congrats again on your job offers!

He is saying that he had to take an exam that the state requires in order for him to work for the state. All state employees need to take an exam before they're allowed to work for the state.

You cannot take the NCLEX until you've graduated from nursing school. The board of whichever state you apply in will give you a code that allows you to schedule the NCLEX. They will only do this after they receive your transcripts from your graduating school.

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