Nurse This!

Thanks everyone for your thoughts, it really does help. I'm not quite sure how to move a thread, so I'll do that as soon as I can figure it out! (i'm brand new to this site!) anyway, well, i'm still thinking about the job...my BF strongly feels like I should wait for a better option. I have until next week, so we'll see...:imbar

hm...well, i just had my interview today. I am a new grad...you can refer to my new problem/question of the day here: https://allnurses.com/forums/f137/california-forensic-medical-group-good-start-new-grad-327334.html#post3056942 it pretty much gives a summary of the whole thing...i think i might need my own personal forum soon

Wow, thanks..penguinBSN:wink2: Not many people know too much about CFMG, it seems. Just had a looong talk with the BF. he is not happy about me working in corrections. *sigh, can't any of us win? geez.

Grrreat. I am so torn! On one hand, I really, really need to start making some money. Times have been SO tough without working. On the other hand, I don't want to put myself in a horrible situation and feel trapped in a job that isn't for me. Although I do feel like I have the tough skin for corrections (which is something I don't mind), i don't want to work for a company that has a bad reputation.

I just had my first interview since passing my boards back in June (FINALLY! The California Forensic Medical Group was the first one to call me back.) and I'm wondering if anyone has any knowledge about them. I know that they're a private company, but is it a good move to start out as a New Grad or not? I mean, don't get me wrong, I've been waiting by the phone for someone to call me back for almost three months so that I can make rent, so I'm THIS close to taking the job, but I just want to make sure that I'm not signing my life away. Here's some of the info that I got from our interview: Its not a county job. Pay is $44.61/hr, with 13.5 hours vacation per month. The facility (in Fairfield, CA) has about 700 inmates and 100 juveniles. Benefits for me would be free for Kaiser or PPO; any dependents would be additional $200. It is a full time position 40hrs/week. Please, can anyone with experience let me know if this job is any good?! I really need to start working and they need to have it filled by the 2nd week of September which is when I basically need to make a decision. Should I be afraid for my safety as well? Is the pay enough? Do they maintain reasonable staffing levels? How do they treat employees? What is their general reputation in the field? ANY info would be GREAT. thanks!

So, I have an interview next week for a corrections facility. I actually don't know much about the facility (will do some research), but I am more nervous about what they will ask me at the interview. Is it comparable to an interview at a hospital where they give you scenarios and give a med test or is it just to have you come in so they can see if you're the "type" to work within a correctional facility? I just don't want to be caught off guard and be thrown a RN question and totally choke! If anyone has any info, i'd greatly appreciate it!

wow, these are all very interesting responses. i at a point right now where as a new grad, i just want to start working already, but haven't received any responses for interviews. i am growing restless and frustrated and i need to pay my rent! i am a little intimidated about working within a corrections facility. i am a small framed 25 year old, so i don't want to be the target for any negativity (or anything else) from inmates OR staff. Jailhouse Nurse, how long have you been working in corrections and how are your hours? how was the training??... thanks for the words of wisdom everyone!

Thanks everyone for your kind words, i'm already in LOVE with this site! :redpinkhe as for asking my mom, i've thought about it...and that's just a whole lot of pressure that i already have and too many people i know growing up as a child and coming to see her at work and at parties, so...no thanks. its really a relief that others think i don't need the refresher course, but it has been almost 3 years... well, thanks again everyone and if anyone has any word on being a corrections nurse and starting out in a correctional facility as a new grad, let me know!

So, I'm wondering what the diff is between a nurse who works in a correctional facility and a nurse who works in a hospital despite the obvious. I am a new grad and am wondering if i'll lose my skills starting out as a nurse in a corrections facility and i'm wondering the difference in pay, too. I live in California and I have an interview lined up next week for a correctional facility in Fairfield. I also am applying to the San Diego County corrections facility. Any advice??

So, long story short, I have had personal/family/finance issues that has kept me from taking my boards and beginning my career as an RN. I graduated in 2006 with a BSN. Through struggle, strife and basically a life epiphany, I have finally passed my boards (YAY!) and felt like the worst was over. I feel like was sadly mistaken. I got my license in June and still have yet to receive an interview. I am only 25 years old, but I feel like my life is racing past me without the money I need to step into the 'real world' with my career. Can anyone offer any advice? My mom is an ICU manager and she insists that I don't need to take an RN refresher course because they hospital that will hire me, will train me for that unit. I'm holding off on doing that also because I don't have $400 dollars to burn. Almost every nurse recruiter I have spoken with has said that I've missed the boat for the new grads that they hired for June and the next one either won't be until September or even until NEXT YEAR! I can't wait that long. I am struggling with paying rent and I want to start working as a nurse already! On a lighter note, today I did receive a call for the corrections facility in Fairfield, Ca as a Nurse. Is this a wrong move?? should I take this opportunity in the mean time or will I lose my skills as a nurse?? I know that was worth starting 4 or more threads, but I have a lot on my mind! Please someone, help me!!

Heeey. so, i just joined today and this is my first 'reply to thread'! (yay, me!) oh, and check out my first post: old grad or new grad?? but anyway, i totally understand where you're coming from. I just took the NCLEX in june for the second time and felt like i did horrible. sidenote: i graduated in January 2006...so...odds were not in my favor and took the Kaplan once, totally didn't pay attention and so, decided to take it again for this second time around. well, imagine my surprise when i DID pass!! my advice: KAPLAN. use it, breathe it, do not sleep without doing 3 or 4 of the practice quizzes. use the chart to view how well you are improving and where your strengths and weaknesses are. review the videos and use the decision tree. it REALLY does work. now, if you need a break from kaplan, use saunders. it is a different perspective. go over the different systems and use the CD questions. always do questions, that is what i believe has helped me. if you need any more advice, let me know! good luck! :redpinkhe

So, long story short, I have had personal/family/finance issues that has kept me from taking my boards and beginning my career as an RN. Through struggle, strife and basically a life epiphany, I have finally passed my boards (YAY!) and felt like the worst was over. I feel like was sadly mistaken. I got my license in June and still have yet to receive an interview. I am only 25 years old, but I feel like my life is racing past me without the money I need to step into the 'real world' with my career. Can anyone offer any advise? My mom is an ICU manager and she insists that I don't need to take an RN refresher course because they hospital that will hire me, will train me for that unit. I'm holding off on doing that also because I don't have $400 dollars to burn. Almost every nurse recruiter I have spoken with has said that I've missed the boat for the new grads that they hired for June and the next one either won't be until September or even until NEXT YEAR! I can't wait that long. I am struggling with paying rent and I want to start working as a nurse already! On a lighter note, today I did receive a call for the corrections facility in Fairfield, Ca as a Nurse. Is this a wrong move?? should I take this opportunity in the mean time or will I lose my skills as a nurse?? I know that was worth starting 4 or more threads, but I have a lot on my mind! Please someone, help me!!