Not having any luck getting into corrections in S. Cal as a new grad RN

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Hello~

I applied for a position at several S. California prisons 4 months ago. I received a 75% on the experience questionare being that I am a new graduate RN. Is there any chance for me to get into corrections as a new graduate nurse? I even applied to a very isolated prison out in the desert. In fact, that prison is my top choice. No response from them....

There are zero positions for new grads in the isolated part of California that I live in. Every hospital requires one year of experience - minimum. There are only newgrad programs which pop up here and there, which only take 10 people at a time. Over 600 apply. I have yet to land a position in one of these programs. I really thought my top choice of working in corrections would be an advantage and that I would actually land a job. I can't even get an interview. So, my questions are

1. Is there any chance for me to work in corrections as a new grad? (and don't tell me to start out in MedSurg because it's not even an option - haha. I couldn't even if I wanted to. No jobs...) ;)

2. Are there any certifications I should obtain while waiting for my opportunity? I recently obtained BLS and ACLS.

3. What else should I do?

Any assistance is greatly appreciated. I'm sure you've heard the struggles of the RN new grads finding jobs. All we do is complain that we can't find a job =)~ :clown:

Thank you!!

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bump =)

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Hello~

I applied for a position at several S. California prisons 4 months ago. I received a 75% on the experience questionare being that I am a new graduate RN. Is there any chance for me to get into corrections as a new graduate nurse? I even applied to a very isolated prison out in the desert. In fact, that prison is my top choice. No response from them....

There are zero positions for new grads in the isolated part of California that I live in. Every hospital requires one year of experience - minimum. There are only newgrad programs which pop up here and there, which only take 10 people at a time. Over 600 apply. I have yet to land a position in one of these programs. I really thought my top choice of working in corrections would be an advantage and that I would actually land a job. I can't even get an interview. So, my questions are

1. Is there any chance for me to work in corrections as a new grad? (and don't tell me to start out in MedSurg because it's not even an option - haha. I couldn't even if I wanted to. No jobs...) ;)

2. Are there any certifications I should obtain while waiting for my opportunity? I recently obtained BLS and ACLS.

3. What else should I do?

Any assistance is greatly appreciated. I'm sure you've heard the struggles of the RN new grads finding jobs. All we do is complain that we can't find a job =)~ :clown:

Thank you!!

Apply for CNA job and work your way up!!! Good Luck :)

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Specializes in Corrections, Education, Med/Surg, AGNP-HIV.

Well 75% is probably not reachable on the certification list. You generally have to be in the top 3 ranks to even be reachable for hire. You can retest after about 6 months I believe. It is difficult to get hired as a new grad (not impossible) as some experience is generally helpful (were you an LVN before?) Here is one way you might just get your foot in the door. Call personnel or the DON find out what registry they use. Get hired as registry, prove yourself, get picked up as staff.

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I also suggest that you find out the registry used and go to work for them. There are many ads on the various employment websites that are run by the agencies that staff these places.

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Hi,

Thanks for all of your messages! I found out which registry they use and filled out an application with them. They called me and said that you need at least one year of nursing experience to work for the registry. Bummer!

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Specializes in Corrections.
Hello~

I applied for a position at several S. California prisons 4 months ago. I received a 75% on the experience questionare being that I am a new graduate RN. Is there any chance for me to get into corrections as a new graduate nurse? I even applied to a very isolated prison out in the desert. In fact, that prison is my top choice. No response from them....

There are zero positions for new grads in the isolated part of California that I live in. Every hospital requires one year of experience - minimum. There are only newgrad programs which pop up here and there, which only take 10 people at a time. Over 600 apply. I have yet to land a position in one of these programs. I really thought my top choice of working in corrections would be an advantage and that I would actually land a job. I can't even get an interview. So, my questions are

1. Is there any chance for me to work in corrections as a new grad? (and don't tell me to start out in MedSurg because it's not even an option - haha. I couldn't even if I wanted to. No jobs...) ;)

2. Are there any certifications I should obtain while waiting for my opportunity? I recently obtained BLS and ACLS.

3. What else should I do?

Any assistance is greatly appreciated. I'm sure you've heard the struggles of the RN new grads finding jobs. All we do is complain that we can't find a job =)~ :clown:

Thank you!!

Try joining The National Commission on Correctional Health Care (NCCHC) - you can take a test and become certified in correctional health care - may help you get a foot in the door. from RN for inmates
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Specializes in Corrections.

Look into the National Commission on Correctional Health Care (NCCHC), you can take a test and be a Certified Correctional Health Professional. NCCHC formulates the medical standards most jails and prisons practice by.

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Specializes in being a Credible Source.
Hello~

I applied for a position at several S. California prisons 4 months ago. I received a 75% on the experience questionare being that I am a new graduate RN. Is there any chance for me to get into corrections as a new graduate nurse? I even applied to a very isolated prison out in the desert. In fact, that prison is my top choice. No response from them....

There are zero positions for new grads in the isolated part of California that I live in. Every hospital requires one year of experience - minimum. There are only newgrad programs which pop up here and there, which only take 10 people at a time. Over 600 apply. I have yet to land a position in one of these programs. I really thought my top choice of working in corrections would be an advantage and that I would actually land a job. I can't even get an interview. So, my questions are

1. Is there any chance for me to work in corrections as a new grad? (and don't tell me to start out in MedSurg because it's not even an option - haha. I couldn't even if I wanted to. No jobs...) ;)

2. Are there any certifications I should obtain while waiting for my opportunity? I recently obtained BLS and ACLS.

3. What else should I do?

Any assistance is greatly appreciated. I'm sure you've heard the struggles of the RN new grads finding jobs. All we do is complain that we can't find a job =)~ :clown:

Thank you!!

Shortly after I graduated 20 months ago I attended a job fair where were some recruiters from CDCR. There were a number of positions posted for which I'd applied and I was having similar questions as you. I straight-up asked the guy if they hired new grads. He hemmed and hawed and said, "we have." We went round and round without me getting a straight answer when I finally asked, "I really have no chance, do I?" He quietly said, "I'm sorry, no you don't."

The problem is that CDCR pays really well and has excellent benefits which, coupled with a glut of nurses on the market, means that they can afford to be extremely selective and bypass new grads just like so many others are doing.

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I do not know if it has changed, but it used to be that you could not be a member of NCCHC unless you were currently working in a correctional environment; and could not test unless you had 2 or 3 years of correctional experience.

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The Federal prison system hires new grads and has openings in So Cal

http://jobview.usajobs.gov/GetJob.aspx?JobID=97273280&JobTitle=Clinical+Nurse+(Registered+Nurse)&q=federal+bureau+of+prisons&tjt=nurse&lid=342&rad_units=miles&brd=3876&pp=25&sort=rv%2c-dtex&jbf785=&vw=b&re=134&FedEmp=N&FedPub=Y&caller=advanced.aspx&AVSDM=2011-04-12+02%3a36%3a00

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