Interview Correctional Nurse Position

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Hi there!

Okay so I am from Cali. I got my VN license this Jan. and I have about 4 months practicing under it.

I had applied for a position at a State Prison and got emailed for an interview. I went through some of the older posts regarding this topic and have found them very helpful however if anyone has recently gone through this experience can you share some tips/advice I have so many questions.

I will be interviewing in front of a panel so I would like to know what type of questions I may be asked?

I have been working in a SNF and a Sub-Acute so the work environment will be completely different, but how often will I encounter emergency situations? I believe I lack experience in managing those situations, I don't see too many of those with my current jobs.

Do they have 8, 10 or 12 hour shifts?

How often is overtime mandated?

Have you ever had to testify in court ?

What type of daily nursing duties do you perform?

I am so nervous and excited. Sorry for all the questions! If ANYONE has advice please share. It is greatly appreciated.

I really had to push myself for this. When I applied I was unemployed now that I have 2 really good jobs I am concerned about leaving them [if I am even offered a position] Though I have always been interested in the criminal justice system. I was eventually going to look into forensic nursing but I do not even have a year of experience so I am concerned that may negatively affect and reflect me.

What would you do?

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Specializes in Ambulatory Care, LTC, OB, CCU, Occ Hth.

These sound like good questions to ask during your interview. It'll show that you're interested in the position. Given that they've seen your resume, which would include your lack of experience in correctional facilities, and they still want to interview you means that lack of experience isn't an issue to them, so those questions you're asking are appropriate for them.

As far as the types of questions they'll ask, it really depends on who they are and how serious they are about it. I've gotten a job where the interviewer giggled the whole time she was telling me about the position. Another wanted to know how I would fit a round peg into a square hole. It's really a toss up for what you're going to get. The panel is going to be intimidating no doubt, but don't let them see you sweat - much. A correctional facility job is bound to be high stress and they are testing you early on. I would anticipate a lot of questions regarding safety, how you perform under stress, teamwork, etc. I interviewed in a mental health facility where the patients were largely psychotic, homicidal, and suicidal, and the interviewer was very blunt and up front about it. You need to deem whether or not you will be able to safely perform your job and if you don't feel comfortable in such situations then that means the job is not a fit.

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Specializes in NICU; Acute psych; pediatric psych.

Hey OP, how'd it go? I have an interview for a correctional nurse in a week and I'm super nervous too!

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Specializes in nurseline,med surg, PD.

As far as emergencies go, yeah all day long. MI's, heat stroke, asthma attacks, seizures, hypoglycemia. So you need to be calm cool and collected. As far as what to you do, you follow procedures.

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Did you get the job?

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