Frequently
Asked Questions by Nursing Applicants
1) Will we hire a new graduate?
2) What kind of work do we do?
3) Is there a doctor available?
4) What kind of patients do we have?
6) What is the starting salary?
A: Yes. We would prefer a year's experience, but we will hire new nurses as long as they have passed State licensing exams.
2) What kind of work do we do?
A: We administer medications, do chronic wound care, check diabetics, handle emergencies, work off of Nursing Protocols, do ECGs, draw blood, check patients into their clinic appointments, review medical records for referrals, enter patient information in the computer, take lots of provider orders, check in medications from the pharmacy, give injections when needed (sometimes involuntary), give and read ppd's for TB screening and a myriad other things.
3) Is there a doctor available?
A: Yes, the doctor works a regular 40 hour week and then the doctor, or a mid-level practitioner, is on call around the clock. We have nurse practitioners and a physician's assistant in our health care system. We have a contract psychiatrist working 40 hours a week and the psychiatrist or the psychiatric nurse practitioner is on-call around the clock.
4) What kind of patients do we have?
A: We see the same kinds of illnesses, diseases and injuries seen in clinics, emergency rooms and doctor's offices everywhere. We see a higher population of Hepatitis C and HIV Positive patients, mentally ill patients, and diabetics and hypertensives.
A: It is a standard 40 hour work week of 8 hour shifts, usually in 7am-3pm, 3pm-11pm and 11pm-7am shifts. We have had an occasional nurse work 10 hour shifts temporarily.
6) What is the starting salary?
A: Salaries are competitive with the local market, depending on prior experience, skills, and bilingual status. Shift differential will be added to salary if appropriate.
A: A sound work ethic, excellent assessment skills and a willingness to learn to work autonomously. Inmate patients are very good actors, so assessment skills have to be relied upon.
A: It varies according to the individual. There is a one-year probationary period for all employees and Nurses are usually mentored one-on-one for several weeks.