Nurse Practitioner Pay in Federal BOP

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I am having a hard time finding out what the pay is for federal corrections. Applied and waiting to hear for an interview - although they expect me to get the job as I'm the only applicant. I have heard once I accept an offer, it is non-negotiable, and that I should research what others make so I dont get upset. I have been working as an NP now for a year. They did say they would beat my current salary as long as I bring in a paystub, however I did not get a raise due to the hospital system not giving raises after the first year (it turns out my one year raise will be in october, where I will have been here almost 2!). Just wondering if there are other NP's that are in federal corrections and what they bring in.Thanks!

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I am having a hard time finding out what the pay is for federal corrections. Applied and waiting to hear for an interview - although they expect me to get the job as I'm the only applicant. I have heard once I accept an offer, it is non-negotiable, and that I should research what others make so I dont get upset. I have been working as an NP now for a year. They did say they would beat my current salary as long as I bring in a paystub, however I did not get a raise due to the hospital system not giving raises after the first year (it turns out my one year raise will be in october, where I will have been here almost 2!). Just wondering if there are other NP's that are in federal corrections and what they bring in.Thanks!

I work for a contractor company for a state prison on the east coast. This is my first job out of school and am making a little under 85K, if that helps.

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Specializes in NICU.

Current salary is $52,785- 81,714/ yr per www.usajobs.gov and choose Dept of justice as the agency.

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Specializes in Correctional.

I work for a contractor company at the county level and am not an FNP but I think our FNP's make 54-57 an hour.. hope that helps.

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Specializes in Pain Management, RN experience was in ER.

I'm curious, what did your salary end up being? Did you take the job? I'm not sure why, but I'm kind of drawn to corrections when I pass my boards (waiting on that ATT). I've never worked corrections, but I'm intrigued by it. Any interview tips? Also, did you wait until you were licensed to apply?

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Specializes in Pain Management, RN experience was in ER.

After doing some research, I found that that starting salary in Texas is around $80,000 in the prisons. I love that government salaries are open to the public... but I wasn't thrilled that each employee's full name was listed next to their salary.

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Specializes in Hospice, corrections, psychiatry, rehab, LTC.

Unfortunately, when you work for a government agency, your compensation is a matter of public record.

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Specializes in Rehab corrections med-surg.
\ said:
I am having a hard time finding out what the pay is for federal corrections. Applied and waiting to hear for an interview - although they expect me to get the job as I'm the only applicant. I have heard once I accept an offer it is non-negotiable, and that I should research what others make so I don't get upset. I have been working as an NP now for a year. They did say they would beat my current salary as long as I bring in a paystub, however I did not get a raise due to the hospital system not giving raises after the first year (it turns out my one year raise will be in october, where I will have been here almost 2!). Just wondering if there are other NP's that are in federal corrections and what they bring in.Thanks!

Hey I worked for bop as a RN. They told me same thing about the pay stubs. But after 6 months told me regional did not accept it and thought I made too much. They told me I had to reapply for my own job and take a pay cut from Gs 10 step 3 to Gs 7 step 8. I had already taken a huge cut going from a SNF to them. I just wanted wanted career mobility and the to be able to move around the country. I quit as the DON from a facility called me and offered me a better and safer position. In BOP you are your own officer and they expect you to go out of scope. Plus you are weapons trained and have a 3 week boot camp in GA

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I work at a low fci. I enjoy the job. I'm a GS11 step 10 NP with 2 years prior experience salary 81k. Not competitive with city average 95k. One thing that you should know is that as of right now there is no GS12 Nurse Practitioner in BOP so essentially unless you change to a leadership position (non clinical) you can not advance to a higher step/grade= no raises. In theory you could spend your whole career at that salary-save for yearly cost of living increases. Washingtin DC does not seem very concerned with the obvious difference in salary with the private sector. If you are sure that this is where you want to work I strongly advise looking into the Public Health Service. It's a uniformed service with amazing benefits. You can work in a prison and still make a very good salary while enjoying military benefits such as non taxable income like housing allowances.

Best of luck

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sooo I took the position and the pay cut in PA, and am at a GS 11 step 1 (63k). Looking back I should have held out until they offered me my matching pay (76k) which would have been a step 7-8, but you don't know these things at the time. as a result, I am giving advice to the next recruit who is coming in so she doesn't have the same resentment that I do, as she is currently getting paid a step 9-10 salary in the private sector. however am currently applying to the public health service. If not, am planning on going into management to move up in the world - or will exit the BOP for a year and come back to get my GS 11 step 10. I am ok with the cost of living raises because they are equivalent to outside raises it seems and are not offered every year in the private sector in this area. I am currently waiting to get professionally/medically boarded and commissioned - then I should be happier!

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For those of you on this thread who are currently working for the BOP as a civilian NP can you please share anything about the similarities and differences in your role with those of Commission Corps NP's. I am applying the BOP to become an NP in the Corps and would just like your perspectives on the civilian vs officer dynamics.

Some examples I am curious about would be work schedule, are both types of NPs treated equally in the BOP, do the civilian NPs want to become part of the Commissioned Corps or vice versa, how long do the CC officers typically stay at one prison before moving somewhere else?

Thanks in advance.

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Hey Jason,

I am also applying to PHS, currently working at the BOP. My job will be the same, work schedule the same, and I'd be treated the same unless I abuse my time off (which I wouldn't). Once you're in (BOP), everyone recommends switching into PHS so far. I have heard from current officers that originally you have to stay 2 years, but my husband's cousin has been at her position for 7-8 and she doesn't plan on moving (dental hygienist).

I am also hearing that it is becoming more competitive to get commissioned. so I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

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