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Detention center gets pay increase to recruit registered nurse; commissioners cite accreditation requirement
Summary
The board approved a $2-per-hour salary adjustment to hire a registered nurse for Vijom Maldonado Detention Center so the facility can meet accreditation requirements that an RN be on-site at least three days per week.
Colfax County commissioners approved a $2-per-hour salary increase to the posted hire rate for a registered nurse at the Vijom Maldonado Detention Center (VMDC) to improve recruitment.
Deputy Warden Vijom Maldonado told the commission she has actively recruited for about four weeks and had only one applicant. Maldonado said the facility’s starting posted pay was $40 per hour; the applicant reported making $45 per hour in her current charge-nurse role and requested at least a $2-per-hour raise. Maldonado told commissioners that “with accreditation, we have to have her on-site 3 days a week. That's minimal.”
Commissioners discussed recruitment options and local starting pay for new graduates; one commissioner said a nearby hospital system’s entry-level nurse pay was $32.50 per hour, but commissioners emphasized the difficulty of placing recent graduates into corrections work. A motion to increase the posted hire rate by $2 per hour passed by roll call; commissioners recorded yes votes and directed VMDC and human resources to proceed with recruitment and offer the position at the adjusted rate.
Ending: Staff said the RN would be full time (40 hours) and would be on call when off duty to provide emergency coverage; HR and VMDC will report back when recruitment produces a hire.
