USPHS

NursePamela · May 16, 2009

regarding danger of a nurse with the BOP.,,,, I was once talking with a prison nurse and they said "at least they know what the patient has done" and there was always a guard nearby. Where as a regular hospital you have no idea if the pt is a criminal. Just a thought.

goldensfo · May 16, 2009

I will call them next Monday! thanks again!

goldensfo · May 16, 2009

BSN317: There's a special section in this website called "Correctional Nursing", it's under "Nursing Specialties", it has some good threads about BOP and working environment in prisons. Go check it out if you haven't~ :specs:

CorrectionalNP · May 16, 2009

BSN317 - Carswell is one of the five BOP Medical Referral Centers. It specializes in Mental Health for females, and Tertiary Medical Care for males and females. While most BOP facilities are Ambulatory Care, you could actually work inpatient Nursing at Carswell (which is actually Fort Worth, TX).

The other Medical Centers are at Rochester, MN (about a mile from the Mayo Clinic); Butner, NC; Springfield, MO, and Lexington, KY.

If you are interested in any of these places, I would suggest contacting the Director of Nursing at these places. For other BOP Facilities, the Health Services Administrator (HSA) is the best contact.

If they are interested in you, you need to be persistent. Once you have an offer of employment, they will invite in for an interview (or teleconference interview). An then and "quick" BOP Physical exam (vital signs, chest x-ray, etc) and a UA drug screen.

After that, you are in. Report to duty, work about a month, and then off to Glynco, Georgia for 3 week of training at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center. Here, they will teach you the basics of working around Inmates.

Is it dangerous, not really. Correctional Officers are the main responders to fights. In Health Services, I have never had any problems. We do run to emergencies with the stretcher and medical bag.

If you are interested in Atlanta, then contact the Health Services Administrator there. They might have an RN opening.

My best advice with the BOP is persistance. Just getting through with a telephone call can sometimes take several tries, just because people are doing things in the prison and not sitting next to a telephone all day. (The solution, ask to have them Paged.)

AWanderingMinstral · May 16, 2009

I got my physical done at a MEPS. They rarely do them in my area and, as a result, treated me pretty well. I think it helps to be a nurse...a little professional courtesy. It has been a frustrating experience getting some guidance. My USPHS/CC "recruiter" has been pretty lame. Considering the fact that they have to pay MAJOR sign-on bonuses, I thought they would be a little more helpful in identifying a suitable position. Thank God I am seriously organized and persistent. :) Good luck to ALL!

goldensfo · May 17, 2009

AWanderingMinstral: have you heard anything from the positions that you applied?

AWanderingMinstral · May 17, 2009

GOLDENSFO: All of my app stuff has been in since mid Feb. I formally applied for three positions with DIHS and I spoke with a recruiter a couple of weeks ago. As it turns out, they only remove positions from their website once the individual they have hired has started. Soooooooooooo, none of those three positions were actually available. I have formally applied for positions with the IHS and I'll be speaking with a recruiter soon. If they don't pan out, I'm moving on to something else. Fortunately, I've been accepted to two graduate programs.

CorrectionalNP · May 17, 2009

AWanderingMinstral - I'm so sorry to hear that. That is why I alway advise to have direct contact with the Health Services Administrator at the site you want to work at. NOthing against the recruiters, but their job is to process your application, and not to personnel placement.

We have 3 RN openings where I work. We have not recruited one RN in the past 4 years. (Call 209 386-0257, ask for Ms Mettry, the HSA or Mr. Porter in Human Resources). We are a Maximum Penitentiary and Prison Camp in California 100 miles east of San Francisco.

GradNurseInTN · May 26, 2009

Hello everyone, I am new to this forum and have been reading all of the responses to this thread and hoped that you could help answer a question for me. My question pertains to degree requirements for entry into the USPHS and some of you are going through the recruitment process and others of you are already working in the USPHS. I'm glad to find some folks who have had direct involvement with the USPHS. YEAH!! I have emailed a recruiter and have been unable to get a straight answer to my question. As others have noted, the recruitment process is lacking.

My question is this, does a direct entry masters program qualify for the USPHS? The program im in allows RN's who have a Bachelors in another field entry into the MSN program. I'm an ADN RN with a Bachelors in engineering. The MSN program I'm in is accredited but I'm afraid the statement "with no qualifying baccalaureate" may disqualify me.

Thanks in advance for your help!

goldensfo · May 26, 2009

CorrectionalNP: I tried most of the numbers you gave me. Only the one in Crownpoint is looking for new grads. however, there's no orientation program. And it's hard to apply for govt housing. no apt for rent on the reservation besides trailer park.. sigh....

BSN317 · May 26, 2009

Sorry goldensfo. I am having bad luck too...Well I am looking into the Air Force now. Although I wanted the USPHS so bad, and I already work in public health and love it. But I really need better benefits for my daughter and I and a means to pay for grad school. Good luck!

goldensfo · May 26, 2009

yeah I've thought about Air Force too. but it will be another huge set of forms to fill out.. not for now. haha...Let's keep trying with USPHS... Don't give up yet~