Traveling Correctional Nurse in California?

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Hi there, Just looking to have a few questions answered about this subject.

1)How much can the travelers make compared to the regular staff nurse,I know that Ca Corrections nurse make 7500 a month to start( I know, this includes the bonuses). I am hoping around $42/hr +. Also i heard that in california, time worked over 8 hours pays time and a half, and over 12 pays double time. I am looking to work twelve hour shifts if possible, even 4 12s a week if possible.

2)Are there lots of oppurtunity in California for this, I live in Reno nevada, I am looking to work in the bay area or sacramento area, but anywhere in Ca will work if the money is good. How long are the contracts for and are there bonuses and living expenses covered?

3) what type of experience is needed, I just recently left my old job as a Correctional officer of 6 years, to start nursing, I am almost done with my first full year working on a step down unit. I also have My BSN.

I also just got a job at a local jail as a nurse, but just want to really see what is out there.

Any info on this would be great, I am looking to take advantage of the oppurtunities with this. Looks like a great oppurtunity for me if there is really such a thing. I hope I can get some where with this. I thank you in advance for any information.

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I've never heard of CDC using travelers, at least at my facility. They used to hire registry but, now that they're fully staffed with RN's they're not using registry either.

I do know that the state is even cutting back on registry LVN's (they're more short on LVN's) and are only hiring registeries with cheaper rates.

But, if could be different for rural prisons that are more difficult to staff.

As far as 12 hour shifts, there's only a couple of units that work 12's at my facility. The vast majority of the shifts are 8's.

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Well, I do have an application in with CDC, but haven't heard anything from them, but I have heard of travelers in some of the jails as well as prisons, just seeing what is out there. I kind of hope so that way I can see california without a true commentment and see where i may like to live in the future. thanks for the response though.

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Well, I do have an application in with CDC, but haven't heard anything from them, but I have heard of travelers in some of the jails as well as prisons, just seeing what is out there. I kind of hope so that way I can see california without a true commentment and see where i may like to live in the future. thanks for the response though.

I did a travel assignment at a jail in Bakersfield. Which, by the way, is nicknamed "the armpit of CA". Honestly it wasn't bad -- I'm from Illinois, so I know the "sticks". Actually, I miss it. It's warm, the people were SO cool, and the pay at the jail was about $40/hr, 12-hour shifts so $60/hr for the last 4 hours of your shift. I think I took home about $21-22K after taxes for 3 months. Didn't think it was bad at all.

In fact, I loved it so much I took my boyfriend on vacation to Las Vegas and Los Angeles in June of this year, and HE loved it (he'd never been to Nevada or Cali) -- so our plans are to move there after he retires from HIS job in corrections with the state of IL.

If you've never been to California, and you have some idea of what you're doing in correctional nursing, I say GO. It's a great opportunity to get out there, make some good $ and be able to afford to go out exploring on your off days. I felt like I was on a paid vacation. :)

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By the way, if you have any other questions, I'd be happy to answer/share my experience including the agency I was traveling with via private message. Good luck!

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Hello Alkaleidi, Did your travel Company supply housing also?

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Hello Alkaleidi, Did your travel Company supply housing also?

Yes! GREAT housing, beautiful, and furnished SO great that all I would have needed was clothing and personal items (they furnished right down to the silverware, linens in the bed AND bath, etc -- literally EVERYTHING was there... LOL... the table was even set when I arrived).

As I said before, any personal questions, feel free to PM me!

-A

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I live in california and work for the prison system in nursing..... We do have travel nurses with contracts for 3 or more months. it is 8 hr shifts at this time. Not sure what company they work through but they do use them until they have hired enough nurses to fill the spots.

Good luck........ :welcome:

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I live in california and work for the prison system in nursing..... We do have travel nurses with contracts for 3 or more months. it is 8 hr shifts at this time. Not sure what company they work through but they do use them until they have hired enough nurses to fill the spots.

Good luck........ :welcome:

Do the nurses that contract with you guys make more hourly then the permament employees. I know you guys gross about $7500 a mn, just wondering if the travelers get paid more then this like they do in the hospitals.

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Are we talking about state prisons or county?

Because I think some of the posters are talking about county prisons and there can be a big difference in pay there ... typically not as much as the state ... although some registry rates can get pretty high with county prisons, at least in my area.

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the various travel RN companies will pay about 50/hr give or take a few bucks for CDCR.

There is not as much of a need for agency/traveler RN jobs with CDCR.

Most of the positions are now staffed with state RN's.

It's harder for them to get LVN's because they pay $3400/mo.

where Agency LVN for the state make about double that.

Psych techs get more from the state also.

Once they raise the pay for the LVN's to what it should be, about $5000/mo, then i'd bet most of the LVN posts would be filled like the RN.

County pays less than State, and they work alot harder.

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Specializes in LTC,Psych,MedSurg,Travel,Corrections.

I do know of one company that is looking for travelers right now for CA state prisons. Pay etc sounds good.

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