Interview with correctional facility

[Anon101]

Hey all,

I just landed an interview at a correctional facility as a mental health nurse and I was wondering if anyone has any advice in terms of how I can prep for it? I currently work in mental health in general psych/forensic, but the population is nevertheless somewhat different.

Thanks

[Emily Mellinger]

Hi. I know this post is a little old, I’m assuming you had your interview already. How did it go? I currently have worked in corrections for 7 years and love it. My facility also has a mental health unit that encompasses all the prisons in the state, we take them in, get them adjusted and send them on their way back to their other facilities. My advice to you if you do end up taking the job is to remember to be fair, firm and consistent. This avoids you from being set up or making yourself a target for an assault. What you do for one, you must do for all. While you may not agree with policy you must always follow it and if you feel strongly enough about an issue you must bring it to the policy chair to make changes. Always listen to your patient. Do not assume anything, even if they have been to sick call 1,000 times for the same thing there is always ALWAYS a chance at it turns into “a boy who cried wolf” scenario. It’s a challenging and rewarding job for sure.