How does one enter into this field?

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Specializes in Telemetry/CCU/Home Health.

Hello fellow Nurses!

I am posting this for my husband who is a RN at a major hospital here in sunny Philadelphia. He is very much interested in entering the correctional nursing field. We are sort of lost as to the best way to go about finding a position. Is this a very competitive field, or are prisons generally in need of nurses? Should we go through a temp agency? He filled out an application with the state today, but who knows how long that will take. Any information would be GREATLY appreciated :yeah:

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not familiar with pa, but n the states i've lived n it's federal, state or county employment generally, there are some states that allow private correctional facilities too. he just has to find out how the hiring is done for the facility he wants to work at (their website will usually answer that), some u apply directly others u apply thru their general gov personnel board or whatever they call it. pay is typically lower than u can get n the private sector, but the benefits can be very nice.

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Here in Georgia the Medical College of Georgia is the contractor for the states prison system. Applying for the job was not much different than any other job I have ever applied for. The work is different though (I have worked for them as an RN and as an NP)_...

Georgia also has some private as well as federal prisons here but I am unsure of their hiring practices. The jobs/information for the federal prisons can be found at http://www.usajobs.gov/

I did use a temp agency when I went in as an NP.... It was pretty good I worked for three months and in the end had the choice of direct hire or saying bye-bye with no penalty either way.

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Don't neglect to check out city and county jails. Ours pay higher than state jobs and have better benefits. It all depends on where you are. Good luck!

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I am so glad to hear that your husband is interested in correctional nursing! The Philadelphia Jail System contracts with PHS (Prison Health Systems) for healthcare. You can google them or look for them on careerbuilder. You are near Wilmington and the Delaware Prison System uses Correctional Medical Services for healthcare. They advertise on careerbuilders - look for them there. Both companies are large and have decent benefits and comparable pay with the community. I blog about correctional nursing issues at www.correctionalnurse.net and have an interview prep guide you might be interested in. Lorry

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Specializes in Telemetry/CCU/Home Health.

Thanks so much for the replies, that is very helpful. I will look into those companies. :up:

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Specializes in ER, CCU, Admin, Transplant.

Lorry, loved this site! Your quite impressive. I want to be like you when I grow up!

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You're on your way, Girlfriend! The field is wide open and we are looking for enthusiastic folks like you! Let me know if there is any way I can help your journey :yelclap:

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