Published Jan 14, 2014
laurawRN
1 Post
I am interviewing at a state penitentiary this Friday. I was looking for some insights as to what I should expect. Can anyone tell me what kind of traits/qualifications these types of positions are seeking? I am a fairly new grad, having worked 3 months in a nursing home. I have obtained letters of recommendation from 2 of my nursing instructors. Any input would be greatly appreciated. I really would love to try out corrections nursing.
RN Rover
11 Posts
So how did it go? Had I seen your post sooner I would have recommended going in there with confidence (fake it till you make it my mom used to tell me). I basically went into corrections as a new grad, had some experience like you. I started in a state prison as a registry nurse. I believe what eventually got me the job was my genuine interest in corrections as a specialty of choice and my ability to get along with co workers and treat the inmate - patients always following the fair, firm, consistent rule. I'm in a maximum security prison and there are a lot of psych patients as well as medical.
I've had a full time state job for 6 months now and I love it. Been a nurse for 3.5 years now and this is my first full time permanent job. Never give up is my advice, be tenacious and go after what you want. I'm emergency responder for a prison that has over 3,000 inmates now and each day is different and unpredictable. In corrections you have to be flexible while always doing every thing the same, does that make sense?
the nursing is easy, it's the paper work and charting that takes some time and patience to get right.
Whatever happens, good luck and keep us posted please,
JLM817
33 Posts
Hello Rn Rover! I recently applied to a ca state prison in Chino and Corona for a RN correctional facility position. Do you by any chance know if they still hire new grads?
I don't know the official answer to question of CDCR or particular prison still hiring new grads. I believe they do, haven't heard anything to the contrary. When I got hired 6 months ago there were four others hired at same time and I think one of them was a new grad or pretty close to new grad