Southern CA correctional nurses

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I am just now taking my RN refresher after being out 10 years, and submitted an application to the State, listing my experience, clearance by the Police Department as a volunteer, the part-time nursing job I have in psych right now, etc. Today I got a letter from them stating I passed the requirements with 85%, the minimum requirements to be hired.

Do you think my percentage rate will go up after I finish the refresher course? I have worked corrections in the past for agency and would like to do it again, only part-time. Maybe they have different requirements for part-time, and they have a greater need for full-time?

Thanks

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It sounds like you are applying for a position within the State prison system? What sort of test did they have you take as part of your application process?

These hire-on tests for nurses are very controversial and I don't think they carry much weight. They are screaming for correctional nurses, so they can not afford to pick and choose. Most places will use these tests to see what your strengths and weaknesses are and what type of orientation you will need. I wouldn't focus too much on that.

You are a licensed nurse, working in psych, with experience in corrections, I would think they would be falling all over themselves to hire you. I would apply at local county jails, too. Negotiate your salary and make sure that you are getting paid what you are worth. Don't sell yourself short just because you have been "out for 10 years."

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It sounds like you are applying for a position within the State prison system? What sort of test did they have you take as part of your application process?

These hire-on tests for nurses are very controversial and I don't think they carry much weight. They are screaming for correctional nurses, so they can not afford to pick and choose. Most places will use these tests to see what your strengths and weaknesses are and what type of orientation you will need. I wouldn't focus too much on that.

You are a licensed nurse, working in psych, with experience in corrections, I would think they would be falling all over themselves to hire you. I would apply at local county jails, too. Negotiate your salary and make sure that you are getting paid what you are worth. Don't sell yourself short just because you have been "out for 10 years."

You know what? They did not give me a test. They based the rating on my past experience, probably my local police background check, the fact that I am right now working part-time as an RN and doing my refresher.

"Thank you for your application for the position of Sheriff's Detention Nurse.

You were successful in the evaluation test for this position. Your name has been placed on the list of persons eligible for employment until August 22, 2006.

All applicants meeting the minumum requirements have been scored at 85.00 and placed on the eligibility list.

This is not an offer of employment."

These applications are for both State and county and all go to the same HR department in a government building. So all I can say you know how it goes when dealing with GSers (government employees). As far as "testing for strengths and weaknesses for orientation," this makes sense. But they only ask on the application what areas you have had experience in.

As you say, they are screaming for nurses, their ads are on everyday for nurses. Go figure. This is Sunday and I am going to try tomorrow to talk to a person, I mean not just a job line that sends you an application. Dealing with anything that is a government entity, well, you know what I am saying.

Thank you for your very sweet boosting of my worth. I definitely will negotiate my salary. But as a bureacracy goes, it took over 2 weeks to get this notice from them. I thought my phone line would be burning up.

You have to have at least have your CPR before they will even let you APPLY. Then you must have your ACLS within 6 months after employment. I guess that is because there is a high rate of suicide in the prisons.

But who knows, maybe they will contact me when I least expect it, (when they go through their volumes of regs and manuals, and who knows what all.}

They do have this "wonderful" website but trying to make sense of it, I guess I just have to wait.

Right now I am really enjoying starting the refresher class. I decided to take the IV cert course also. I thought it would be good to catch up on the latest technology.

Thanks for "talking" to me. What kind of nursing do you do?

Regards

moving along

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If you dont mind my asking, which website did you go to, and do you have any idea if they hire LVN's and what kind of experience is required.

Thanks

J

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If you dont mind my asking, which website did you go to, and do you have any idea if they hire LVN's and what kind of experience is required.

Thanks

J

I am sure they hire more LVN's than RNs.

website http://www.sdcounty.ca.gov Has a lot of info on it but not exactly what I want.

One of the students in our refresher course says she gets things in the mail all the time about wanting to hire. I haven't had the time to look further, I am really very busy with my refresher course and work 1 day in a psych facility and you can't seem to get a person on the phone, so I guess I'll just wait until I finish what I'm doing now. If you find out anything, let me know.

Good luck. I do know they are in dire straits for nurses.

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