"Big test" to be eligible to work for State of CA Corrections

[ZZTopRN, BSN, RN]

I thought this was quite funny. I guess I am laughing at myself. I have been scanning sunday paper for RN openings. I filled out an application for the State and was reading all about this big test and how you could get your results in an hour and you would be called, like you already had the job. I like taking tests and was really psyched up about all the good nursing questions they were going to ask.

Well, the "big test" asked the usual questions, name, #SS, where do you want to work, basic data. No questions about experience, nursing or anything else. I answered two questions no, that I would not work rotating shifts or be on call. Guess what? I was rated as "ineligible."

Pretty funny, huh?

[suzanne4, RN]

That wasn't the exam. State Depts actually have written exams that you need to pass before you can be considered for the job. What you are talking about is just the first step in the process.

LA County also has exams that need to be passed for almost any position. And everyone of the nursing positions requires some type of written test. Even for agency nurses that wish to work in the County system.

[ZZTopRN, BSN, RN]

This was an on-line application. I was led to the "test" after reading all the links to read and was ineligible with my questions being no on on-call and rotating shifts. If you get a paper application, there is a statement that tells you not to apply if you cannot answer yes to all of the questions. You need to see it for yourself.

[BigB]

In california you have to work all shifts from what I understand and overtime is mandatory i.e if they need you, you stay. If they call you on a day off, you come in. This is stuff a former correction nurse told me. Rotating shifts is terrible on ones health though, and I wouldn't do it.

[ZZTopRN, BSN, RN]

In california you have to work all shifts from what I understand and overtime is mandatory i.e if they need you, you stay. If they call you on a day off, you come in. This is stuff a former correction nurse told me. Rotating shifts is terrible on ones health though, and I wouldn't do it.

Hi Big B: Thank you! You understand what I mean about the "test." The paper application that I got said if you answered no to any questions, like will you work rotating shifts, be on call, and mandatory overtime, they say "DO NOT APPLY." Nothing like cutting off your nose to spite your face. They are crying for nurses, hello!! No, I am not going to put my health at risk either. Sure is an accommodating way to get nurses.

I worked corrections before for agencies, and sometimes it was hard, sometimes easy, but I always had at least one officer with me. However, after seeing a documentary on Pelican Bay prison, that was enough for me to not really go to a prison again. Jails were not bad because they were temporary. Oh well, I just got a huge laugh out of how they went about hiring, as if that was going to get the nurses to flock to them.

Bye Bye

[BigB]

yeah , its a shame they do that. You figure as much as they need us , and they do, that we could pick our shifts etc.