New Grad RN applying to Folsom Prison, Ca... insight please

mixyplixy · Aug 20, 2007

1. Don't call it NorCal or Frisco.

2. Each facility is VERY different.

3. Nurses make $7050/mo plus bonus if you qualify

4.Overtime in CA is 1.5 after 8 hours and double after 12 hours

5. They have hired so many nurses overtime has been cut way back.

6. its run in a military format and can be very unpleasant

7. Few nurses are native English speakers and really resent haveing to speak English when you are around. They also resent their overtime being taken away by all the hires so they too can be VERY unwelcoming.

8. The money isnt worth it.

9. Folsom is VERY old and has many many gang issues and violence.

Sheri257 · Aug 21, 2007

1. Don't call it NorCal or Frisco.
2. Each facility is VERY different.
3. Nurses make $7050/mo plus bonus if you qualify
4.Overtime in CA is 1.5 after 8 hours and double after 12 hours
5. They have hired so many nurses overtime has been cut way back.
6. its run in a military format and can be very unpleasant
7. Few nurses are native English speakers and really resent haveing to speak English when you are around. They also resent their overtime being taken away by all the hires so they too can be VERY unwelcoming.
8. The money isnt worth it.
9. Folsom is VERY old and has many many gang issues and violence.

Well ... I guess every facility is different because the California state prison I work for doesn't sound much like what you're describing.

As far as the military format, I guess you're referring to custody but, I've pretty much had a good experience with them. It's not like they dictate what we do in medical, at least at my facility.

We too have some foreign nurses but everybody speaks English so ... other than not being able to understand a couple of nurses who have very heavy accents, it hasn't been much of an issue for me.

I haven't run into much resentment either. Most of the RN's who've been there for years don't want to work much OT because, obviously, with the pay raises ... they're making just as much if not more money anyway ... without having to put in the extra hours. So it's been a good deal for them.

Besides, even though we're fully staffed with RN's there's still OT if people want it with people calling out sick, etc. I work OT fairly frequently and could work a lot more OT if I wanted to. And if I need to stay late to finish up some work, I don't have any trouble getting it approved.

As far as the money not being worth it ... well, it has been for me. The beauty of working for the state is that you can always transfer to another facility if you don't like the one you're working for now. And, if you transfer after probation, you can still go back to your old job within a year if the transfer doesn't work out. So it's pretty much a win, win situation, IMO ... especially since you don't lose benefits like vacation, retirement etc. if you change facilities/jobs.

As far as gang issues and violence ... that's par for the course at any prison. But it hasn't been an issue for me, mostly because custody does such a great job of putting down any threats at my facility. I feel very safe there.

patos1984 · Aug 21, 2007

wow! thanks for you're honest input. I'm looking forward to applying later this year. thanks again.

tirzo13 · Sep 2, 2007

I have worked at SAC/New Folsom, Salinas Valley, and DOnovan in san diego.

they are all different.

Salinas is the best run.

They keep the inmates in line.

Donovan, it really seems like the inmates run the prison.

Salinas/CTF and San quintin pay more than the other prisons.

RN's don't get mandated as much for overtime compared to LVN's.

Clinic RN's in Salinas Valley get 3 day weekends every week.

and they work regular days.

SAC, the clinic RN's work 2 shifts, and your RDO's could be t/w, so salinas is way better to go if you want weekends off, and normal hours.

San Diego, seems like everyone is out to get each other, turn each other in.

Not really a team atmosphere, bunch of individuals.

SVSP is really the best run prison.

I don't know about old folsom, just new folsom.

Fiesta Red · Sep 2, 2007

Does Folsom work rotating shifts. or do you get hired for a certain shift?

tirzo13 · Sep 3, 2007

you will get hired for a specific shift, may not be the one you want, or the days off you want.

after a year you can post and bid.

EtohPRN · Oct 9, 2008

I know this is an old post, but how did everything work out in applying to the prison? I'm a new grad and applied to san quentin, but didnt hear back after I sent in all the paperwork. I hear they want experienced nurses, but it never specifiied in the job description.... Hope everything worked out for ya!

RocknRollYogaRn · Oct 13, 2008

I am starting the process of obtaining a job, obtaining my CA license, in hopes of obtaining employment in a CA prison from a MA prison. I have several years experience working in corrections and am certified in my specialty. I was wondering about the shifts. Do most of the prisons have 12 or 8 hour shifts? I am looking for 12 hour or 10 hour shifts. I was thinking Salinas or San Quentin because of the proximity to the ocean.

elprup, BSN, RN · Oct 17, 2012

Sheri257, what prison are you at? I am applying to several. Thanks!

elprup, BSN, RN · Oct 17, 2012

Oops, read all the posts and found my answer. Awesome