Being a correctional nurse takes a special type of person; someone who can set aside their personal feelings and simply does their job to the best of their ability to provide medical care to anyone who needs it.
Working in the jail system requires a confident, strong, and caring person who can treat someone even if they are not the ideal patient.
Or even those who aren’t so accepting of your help.
In this article, we’re going through the five most common correctional nurse interview questions and answers to help you out with your interview.
Employers are aware of the challenges that come with this specific job and already know what the personality, skill level, and characteristics of the perfect candidate should look like.
So, you have to do your homework to appeal to these detailed specifics.
The best way to land the ideal job is by looking into the position, knowing what questions are most likely to be asked, and practicing answers to those specific questions frequently until you can nail them every time.
In this article, we have compiled five of the most frequently asked nursing interview questions in the correctional facility, why they are asked, and the best ways to answer them.
Before heading straight to the jail nurse interview questions and answers, you might want to watch this thorough video about correctional nursing.
Common Correctional Nurse Interview Questions and Answers
If you are interested in becoming a correctional nurse, here are five of the most commonly asked questions to practice before the big interview.
1. What experience do you have that can help you in this position?
Most of the time, patients in a correctional facility are relatively simple to deal with.
However, there are many cases where you have to handle less than ideal situations.
Employers want to make sure you understand what you are getting into and if you are prepared to handle it.
Sample answer:
I worked as an RN in the emergency room for many years.
There are unruly patients no matter where you go, and I have found myself in many pretty serious situations.
No matter what I dealt with, I always kept a clear head and used quick thinking to get through some of the most dangerous or mentally testing ordeals.
See also: Mental Health Nurse Interview Questions
2. Do you prefer to work independently or as a team?
This is double-sided question employers love to throw into interviews.
They want to make sure the employee they decide to take on can work by themselves with little guidance, once trained.
But is also capable of working with others without drama or issues.
Sample answer:
I am very confident in my skill that I can handle just about any task put in front of me in an independent setting.
However, I believe teamwork is essential, whether I am working side-by-side with another health care professional or communicating with the rest of the staff in different parts of the building or other jobs.
See also: Flight Nurse Interview Questions
3. Why do you want to work in the correctional field?
Employers understand that working with inmates can be very intimidating and even scary.
They want to make sure that the person they hire is capable of handling the environment with a clear and level head and are fully aware of the situation they are putting themselves into.
Sample answer:
Although working with inmates can probably be overwhelming and, at times, nerve-provoking, I feel providing them with the same level of care that anyone else has access to is extremely important.
Many inmates do not get the best care because it can be hard to tell who is honestly in trouble and who is looking for a free ride out of their cell.
I have a good nose for the truth and will never disregard a complaint until I feel 100% sure; no treatment is necessary.
See also: Home Health Nurse Interview Questions
4. What would previous co-workers say about you?
Employers want to see how well you can work with others and see how you believe people perceive you.
In this answer, you want to be as truthful as possible.
This isn’t the time to boast or brag about your skills and education, but instead, how you work with others.
Sample answer:
I believe my co-workers trusted me and were confident they could come to me for help whether they didn’t know how to perform a specific job or they were overwhelmed with a workload and needed an extra set of hands to get caught up.
I was always willing to help someone who was working hard and trying their best.
However, if I saw something that wasn’t being handled correctly, I would make sure to speak up.
See also: Utilization Review Nurse Interview Questions
5. Do you have any specific questions for me?
Employers want a candidate that is excited and truly interested in the job being offered.
They want you to ask questions to be sure you have every piece of information needed to make a carefully thought out decision if offered the job.
This isn’t a job you should take lightly, so future nurses must be fully aware of what they are getting into.
Never ask personal questions or bombard the employer with a ton of different questions.
This is a good time to show you know the position, the company you are interviewing with, and your knowledge about the work.
You should consider questions such as, “What safety protocols are in place in the nursing station if an inmate gets aggressive?” or “How many nurses work each shift?”
See also: Public Health Nurse Interview Questions
How to Prepare for Jail Nurse Interview Questions?
Being a jail nurse is going to be a little different than 99 % of other nurse positions.
You want to prepare yourself for interviews by doing your homework and understanding the aspects of the job before walking into the meeting.
1. Research the facility
Do a little digging into the facility you are interviewing with.
Bring up current information that will prove to the employer you did your homework; this proves just how serious you are about the job.
2. Go in with confidence
Be confident whether you are nailing the interview or maybe not so much.
Walk into the room with your head high, dressed to impress, and prove you can be professional and an ideal worker.
3. Practice, practice, practice
The best way to prepare for an interview is to practice as much as possible.
Ask yourself questions in front of a mirror or request the help of family or friends to do mock interviews with the questions listed above.
Correctional Nurse Interview Questions and Answers PDF
Download our comprehensive PDF guide featuring expertly crafted correctional nurse interview questions and model answers.
Gain the confidence and knowledge you need to excel in your upcoming job interviews.
Don’t miss out – get your PDF now and embark on your path to career success!
Conclusion: Correctional Nurse Interview Questions
Being prepared for a correctional nurse interview will help you prove you have what it takes to succeed in this role, and you will be an asset to the company.
Practicing interview questions before heading into the meeting is a great way to become the ideal candidate.
Good luck with your up-and-coming jail nurse interview!
Related articles of ours: