Downstate NY Correctional Nursing

[Moochini M]

First, I would like to apologize if this has been covered before. After a search I did not come across anything recent pertaining to this.

Scenario: I am a new grad. Of course I am having extreme difficulty finding a job. I've had one interview so far, for Pilgrim Psychiatric Center. They told me it would take 2 weeks or so to hear back if I was being offered the job. So in the interim, I have continued looking.

I noticed an ad placed for a Corrections Nurse in a Bronx facility, posted by PRIDE Health that said New Grads were welcome. So I immediately e-mailed the recruiter my resume and called her since working as a correctional nurse has interested me since before I even graduated! (I have a friend in the NYPD, and I would always try to get him to see the humanity in the people he was arresting.) This was on a Thursday. She said that I seemed like a good fit and that she would mail me out the resume which I should get by Friday. Friday - no application. Saturday - no application. I emailed her on Saturday asking if perhaps a facsimile of application would be acceptable because I did not want to miss out on the next round of interviews which she said she wanted to hurry and get me in for.

Late Monday afternoon, I still had not heard from her. So I called her up. The Bronx facility was still looking for nurses, but she would NOT send me the application. I assured her that travelling would not be an issue for me (I live in Suffolk county) and that I was still interested in applying. Instead, she looked up what opportunities are available in my area - she told me about a flu clinic that she doubted I would be hired for because I am a new grad.

My heart was broken. I was so excited to be considered for a chance to work as a correctional nurse. I feel she discriminated against me because of where I live. Travelling is not an issue for me. I have my own vehicle. And I do plan on relocating.

In my waiting for the application to come, I searched and searched about correctional nursing. And I fell even more in love with it. And now my heart is set on being a correctional nurse. My issue is this:

How does one become a correctional nurse? Through this site I found that Corizon does the hiring for Rikers Island Correctional Facilities. And I found the BOP site, which I applied to. But back to Corizon... The only opening they have for RNs is for the Coxsackie Correctional Facility. Yet, PRIDE Health and White Glove are looking for correctional nurses in the Bronx. Is that for a temporary need? But if it is temporary, why would new grads be welcome?

Any help would be greatly appreciated!!! Honestly!

[apoppyfield, BSN, RN]

Moochini, I too am a recent grad trying to get into correctional nursing. I don't know the politics in your area, but I do know that if you keep knocking on doors and gaining experience that eventually you will be able to reach your goals. The reality it that corrections is a revolving door and they need stable, mature people that won't get caught up in the drama. Don't let your heart be broken, just keep moving forward. Some doors are not open to us for whatever reason we don't know or don't need to know... so my solution is to go around them. Keep applying to the lists and you will get higher points each year. Take whatever jobs you can in the mean time that would enhance your experience, e.g. ER or psych experience. I've taken a LTC rehab position. Not my dream job but the next time I take the test I'll be higher up on the list. In the mean time, try to get certifications such as ACLS that will enhance your desirability and prepare for the interview now. There is plenty to do.

[Moochini M]

Apoppyfield, Thank you for replying. =) The point of my post was that I am unsure of which agencies to go through to apply to the various correctional facilities in NY. The only posting I've seen about a job was through PRIDE Health and White Glove agencies, which I know aren't the agencies that hold contracts with the NYC Department of Corrections - for that I am certain Corizon holds the contract. However, the opening is not listed on their site. Which lists do you speak of, poppy? And I am ACLS/BLS certified. I completed that the week after I graduated. =) This may seem a bit wrong, but after speaking with many of my professors and many nurses during my clinical rotations, they all said the same thing: LTC is not considered the same kind of experience, and many places hold it against you. So I've been hesitant about applying to them. Same with physician's offices. I have been applying to State RN openings and hospitals.

[apoppyfield, BSN, RN]

I could not tell you which agencies contract with your facility of choice and do not know if that is public information anywhere. It is very frustrating that this information is not readily available. Perhaps someone familiar with your state can help you. Some states require that you take an exam and the applicant is then placed on a list. There are many discussions on this forum as to whether a new grad should take a job in LTC are hold out for a versant or acute care position. There are pros and cons to both.

[TalldiNY]

The application for being a correctional nurse in New York is with NYstate.gov They do use agency personnel to fill empty 'items' or positions. But if you want to work in the NY DOCCS you need to apply to the state.

[Moochini M]

Yes! Thank you both! =) I finally figured it out! There are differences between State run facilities and County run facilities!! The State prisons are like you said, TalldiNY, through NYstate.gov. They only hire those that can be considered Nurse 2. They do have mental health correctional satellite facilities that I do believe hire Nurse 1s.

The county facilities, such as Rikers Island, do their hiring through agencies such as corizonhealth.com, or armorcorrectionaljobs.com for other counties.

It was quite frustrating trying to figure this all out, and with the confusion between state and separate counties, AND then throw in Federal prisons (Of which there are 2 I believe in the NYC area; Manhattan and Brooklyn - which can be applied to at USAjobs.gov) it takes some sorting through.

I post this in case any one else finds they are pulling their hair out in trying to figure out how to become a correctional nurse. =)

For now... I will put my year in at the hospital I am working at now... and see where it takes me. =)

Thank you both again!!