bleugirlrn

Hi Ramslr-- I haven't been active on this site or this Prison thread for awhile now. To answer your question from my experience--San Quentin does not use registries for RNs. They had a few running around but are phasing them out.They do use registries for LVNS but I think they are phasing them out, too. You could apply as a regular State employee RN if you want to, though. I'm not sure if they're hiring because of the awful mess CA is in right now. All the State workers are now being furluged 3 days per month and they'll be lucky if they don't get IOU's instead of paycheck soon. I haven't worked in any other correctional setting so I can't compare anyting to San Quentin. From Oakland it's a quick commute. I have a friend who has a friend who is now retiring from the San Francisco jail system and really like it there. Again, I don't know if they're hiring with this budget mess. I have also been told that the Jail sysem in San Mateo is a really good place to work but I don't have any personal experience there. Good luck!

Hi all- I haven't been following this thread--I just quit San Quentin after working there for one year. Yes, all CA state employees (which includes all prison employees)have been furloughed 2 days a month since February and they've now just added a 3rd furlough day. And hopefully for the staff the state will continue to pay them in real money and not IOU's..... As a nurse at San Quentin (and probably all state facilities--I'm not sure) you are paid on salary. So that means that initially with the 2 day furlough, everyone's pay was cut 10% and you had to 'try' and take off the 2 days in the month. If you didn't they still cut your pay so it behooved the workers to try and get those 2 days off...Now with the 3 day furlough it will be a 15% cut automatically....and when some of your coworkers are off on their furlough the work is harder for the nurses left....less nurses to take up the slack....it's an ugly time right now to be a State emplyee IMHO....but then again, we're all lucky just to have jobs... But I can say working in the private sector is a much better situation for my personality and tempermant. Good luck to all who try the prison system, just don't go in with your eyes blinded!

Hi everyone, Sorry but I haven't been on this board for a long time. I sent in my application December 2007, got called for an interview in April 2008 and hired in May. We were just told that they are looking to hire several more RNS so applying now is the time to do it. Good luck!

Hi there, You should apply at San Quentin as they often hire even if it doesn't look like there are openings. Yes, the shifts are 8 hours but BELIEVE ME, you can work overtime doubleshifts (16 hours) A LOT if you want to!! I haven't figured out how to respond to personaly messages on this board so if you have qs just post them on this thread. I currently work there now as a RN.

To those wanting to work in the CA state prison system: Go to the CA State website and from there follow the links. You need to take a 'test' online which is really just an inquiry into your experience. I applied last December, got called for an interview in April and started in May at San Quentin State Prison. Good luck!

Hi there, I don't have direct experience working in jails but I do work at a prison and have several coworkers who work part time/per diem in the jails. Most work in Marin County. Another coworker has a friend who works in SF county jail and likes it. I have also been told that the San Mateo County jail is a stellar place to work. It is just south of San Francisco.

Hi to all you San Quentin nurses! I am wondering if you have safety Iv's/Catheters there? I had an interview last week at San Quentin and forgot to ask them about this. The hospitals require it and I'm hoping San Quentin supplies them (if I'm lucky enough to be offered the position!). If not, do you all feel comfortable without them? Thanks! :wink2: Liz

Hi all, I'm a RN currently working with dementia patients but I have an interview this week at San Quentin. I've read the posts already that have talked about working there...Wondering if anyone has any further new info about what it's like, what the RNs do exactly, etc. I've also been studying this week as I feel I've forgotten a lot of nursing knowledge that doesn't pertain to Alzheimer's. I', really excited, though, about the possibility of working there! Any info would be great! Thanks! Liz