Corrections Nurse for a New Grad

Overcast · Feb 2, 2020

18 minutes ago, Jah Jah said:
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.

I see, got it...thank you for the clarification.

Teejay323 · Feb 2, 2020

@monylo32 wow congrats! That’s where I want to be at Donovan please keep updating on your experience there and If you go permanent etc lol since I can’t private message you I noticed they were all limited time at that location but figured it could roll over to permanent

monylo32 · Feb 2, 2020

@Teejay323 I’ll keep you updated. Yes these last few months the positions have been limited term but they told me to keep an eye out because the perm ft will be posted and once they do I just need to apply and then they can roll me over. Good luck with your studies!!!

justanothersunshinenurse · Feb 3, 2020

Agree. thank you all for your input. Happy nursing everybody!

monylo32 · Feb 22, 2020

@Teejay323 @Overcast Update! OK guys last I told you I got the job for the limited term intermittent position that has no benefits, well two weeks ago I applied to a limited term full time (LT /FT )position that became available and yesterday I got a call from HR asking me if I wanted to start LT/FT. I was like yes! The LT/ FT has benefits and set RDO’s. The limited term last two years and then rolls over to permanent so hence if they like you they can roll you over but I’m not waiting that long I’m going to apply for a permanent position as soon as it becomes available!

Overcast · Feb 23, 2020

On 2/22/2020 at 11:25 AM, monylo32 said:
@Teejay323 @Overcast Update! OK guys last I told you I got the job for the limited term intermittent position that has no benefits, well two weeks ago I applied to a limited term full time (LT /FT )position that became available and yesterday I got a call from HR asking me if I wanted to start LT/FT. I was like yes! The LT/ FT has benefits and set RDO’s. The limited term last two years and then rolls over to permanent so hence if they like you they can roll you over but I’m not waiting that long I’m going to apply for a permanent position as soon as it becomes available!

This is excellent; congrats! Persistence is key. Please keep us informed, even if it's a year from now, if you were able to transfer to permenant/full time. I will be looking into this during my last semester so I can test/rank and become applicable to apply once licensed just as you did. I am only in semester two right now and absolutely dying.

P.S. For whomever is considering applying/going to the county hospital-based program in Los Angeles (LA County/USC School of Nursing).....run very far the other way! Go to a community college, go to West Coast, go anywhere but there!

monylo32 · Feb 23, 2020

@overcast I’ll keep updating you!! Man second semester seems like just yesterday! You’ll be surprised how fast the program goes and before you know it you’ll be graduated and licensed! Wait so do you attend USC?

Overcast · Feb 23, 2020

14 minutes ago, monylo32 said:
@overcast I’ll keep updating you!! Man second semester seems like just yesterday! You’ll be surprised how fast the program goes and before you know it you’ll be graduated and licensed! Wait so do you attend USC?

USC and LA County have a jointly owned nursing school; in essence, it is owned by USC/LA County Hospital; literally part of the LA County Hospital.

Anyway, congrats again on such success so shortly after graduation! Very exciting and inspiring....those benefits are awesome!

Teejay323 · Feb 23, 2020

@monylo32 wow that’s great excited for you thanks for keeping us updated please continue to do if your schedule permits congrats I have a ways to go lol but excited to apply because that’s exactly where I want to work

Orca, ADN, ASN, RN · Mar 8, 2020

On 1/31/2020 at 12:23 PM, justanothersunshinenurse said:
Well that definitely sounds reasonable, Orca. Then maybe you can answer my other question about what is the avg pay for corrections RN ?

In my state, it is pretty straightforward. Because of the salary differential between us and the private sector, we hire Correctional Nurse IIs in at the top step of the grade in the Nevada public employee pay table. Grade 39, Step 10 is $91,350 per year.

sunshined, ADN, BSN, LVN · Jul 16, 2020

On 2/22/2020 at 8:25 AM, monylo32 said:
@Teejay323 @Overcast Update! OK guys last I told you I got the job for the limited term intermittent position that has no benefits, well two weeks ago I applied to a limited term full time (LT /FT )position that became available and yesterday I got a call from HR asking me if I wanted to start LT/FT. I was like yes! The LT/ FT has benefits and set RDO’s. The limited term last two years and then rolls over to permanent so hence if they like you they can roll you over but I’m not waiting that long I’m going to apply for a permanent position as soon as it becomes available!

Any updates? Have you started?

monylo32 · Jul 23, 2020

Update!! @sunshined So I started back in the beginning of March. My orientation was 12 weeks so by the time I finished orientation I felt comfortable being on my own. Although I still go to my peers or soup when I need help. I was placed on one of the yards as a clinic nurse M-F 8-4 with S/S off. Too be honest I love my job and the schedule...corrections is for me and I know that where I want to finish out. Something different to see everyday and the inmates always keep it interesting and entertaining LOL. They give us RNs a lot of autonomy. It is a bit intimidating at first but the 12 weeks of training you become used to how things are ran and the system used to chart. I started out in a limited term position but just last month was rolled over to permanent. Some would say correctional nurses aren’t nurses but we are. Our setting is just different than the traditional bedside nurse. I know it is not for everyone but I’m glad I choose nursing in corrections?