What to expect at interview?

[pitbullmom]

Hi everyone, I'm a new grad LVN. I've had my license for a couple months now and it's been extremely difficult to find a job in my area.. I haven't even seen any ads in the local newspapers for LVN positions. I haven't had an interview yet much less a call back from any places I applied to.. except for one place.

I got a call the other day from the head of the health personnel department at Wasco State Prison (California, outside Bakersfield) and I have an interview on the 23rd.

Now, I've been interested in correctional nursing ever since I was in nursing school. In my area, LVNs can really only find work in LTC, prisons (there are quite alot in southern California), and sometimes clinics. Prison pays the most (~$25/hour), clinics pay the least (~$16/hour), LTC falls somewhere in between, usually around $19/hour.

I've read up alot on correctional nursing and I think I can handle it. My only worry is the interview itself. I'm young (21) and a new grad. I've also never had a job interview before, lol! I've had two jobs in the past and the first one I was hired on the spot and the second one I had friends in management.

So what should I expect at the interview? What sort of questions will be asked, what are some things that I can say that will look favorable to the interviewer? I really, really want this position. It's an opportunity to move out of the area I'm in (I'm about 125 miles south of the prison/Bakersfield area--I'm in the Antelope Valley) and the pay + cheaper cost of living is very enticing of course so I can climb out of debt.. lol. The idea of working in a prison itself doesn't bother me. I have a friend who's a CO and she's told me a lot of stories!

Anyway, thanks--sorry for the novel!

[RocknRollYogaRn]

CAUTION: I am going to be blunt here: I would recommend you keep looking for a job in a hospital or clinic where you will get hands on experience with your clinical skills and with dealing with other nurses and doctors, other medical professionals, and get a taste of what is happening out there first. Prison nursing is for experienced, seasoned nurses. Period. They only hire new grads because they can't get anybody else and TRUST ME you don't want to be the only one there when an emergency comes up, etc, etc. I am trying to protect you from what could be a nasty outcome for you and the other nurses around you. Bottom line: you are too inexperienced. Save yourself a lot of stress and wait for an opportunity where you will be trained properly. Good luck in whatever you do, and I do wish you the best.

[pitbullmom]

I realize I need experience in an acute healthcare setting but hospitals in southern California are not hiring LVNs.. period.

My best bet honestly is a nursing home.. and none in the area are hiring. So.. I'm taking what I can get, honestly. I don't know what else I can really do beyond just.. not working, or going back to school to get my RN which I can't really afford right now.

I'm a hard worker and I'm quick on my feet and correctional nursing just isn't offputting to me. I know it's hard work, but I think with hard work comes its own rewards and I'll learn alot.

[romantic, BSN, RN]

Hello Pitbullmom.

How are you doing? How was your interview?

[stellina615]

This thread has been inactive for awhile, but I'm also curious as to what advice folks might be able to offer for interviews. I'm currently an LPN in a psych facility, I'll be finished with my RN program next month, and I'm looking at positions at Ft Devens in Mass. Thanks in advance for any and all suggestions!

[Orca, ADN, ASN, RN]

When we conduct interviews for nurses, we ask each applicant if he/she believes that his/her way of practicing nursing will have to be altered as a result of working with convicted felons, and if so, how? What we are looking for in the response are statements about the need to maintain safety and security, the need to keep professional distance and so forth.

Nursing is by nature a caring and sharing profession, and this has to be tempered in the correctional environment. In particular, some nurses get too comfortable working around inmates and begin to disclose personal information. The inmates overhearing this either try to take advantage of it themselves or share it with other inmates who will. For instance, an inmate may find out that you and he/she are from the same neighborhood or home town and use that as a way to try to establish undue familiarity. An inmate might commiserate with you if he/she finds out that you are going through a difficult situation (divorce, custody battle, recovering from drug or alcohol addiction, etc.) and try to build a friendship. This is one major way compromises begin. This is why I keep no family photos in my office or anything that would identify my home town, favorite sports teams and so forth. I always try to be pleasant and helpful, but I am very guarded when it comes to personal information in this environment.

A nurse I worked with several years ago in a male medium-security institution was big into touching people and calling everyone "sweetie" or "honey". We had to explain to her that this kind of approach can be easily misconstrued in the correctional environment. People are not incarcerated because they have good judgment, and what was meant as an innocent remark or gesture can be misinterpreted as a sign of romantic interest by an inmate. A lot of things - none of them good - can happen if this occurs. I have seen it lead to internal investigations, firings (especially if the employee is probationary) and even weddings (which is automatic forfeiture of employment). It can also lead to criminal prosecution, depending upon the nature of the relationship.

[Orca, ADN, ASN, RN]

(duplicate post)