Base yourself in the Bay Area and work at Northern California correctional facilities. Santa Rosa, Salinas, and Soledad are all within 1–3 hours of San Francisco.
Quick Answer
Travel nurses near San Francisco can work at 4 correctional facility clusters within 125 miles. Pay ranges from $3,000 to $3,200 per week.
| Facility | City | Drive | Avg Pay | Roles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
California Department of Corrections – Santa Rosa (Sonoma County) | Santa Rosa | 1 hr | $3,100/wk | RN, LVN |
Correctional Facility (Contra Costa County) | San Ramon | 45 min | $3,000/wk | RN |
Salinas Valley State Prison | Salinas | 1 hr 45 min | $3,200/wk | RN, LVN, CNA |
Correctional Training Facility (CTF) | Soledad | 2 hr | $3,100/wk | RN, LVN, CNA |
Detailed info on pay, duties, housing, and what to expect at each facility.
Safer staffing ratios
Correctional facilities follow structured nurse-to-patient ratios, unlike many hospital settings.
Predictable schedules
12-hour shifts, 3 days per week. Minimal mandatory overtime compared to acute care.
Premium pay packages
Correctional assignments frequently pay more than comparable hospital positions.
Long contracts
13-week contracts with frequent extension opportunities. Less frequent relocation.
Varied clinical experience
Correctional nursing covers chronic care, urgent care, psych, and intake screenings.
High job security
Government-operated facilities have consistent staffing demand regardless of economic cycles.
CatSol recruiters specialize in CDCR placements. We handle the background check, credentialing, and onboarding.
Several correctional facilities are within 1–2 hours of SF: Santa Rosa (1 hr), San Ramon (45 min), Salinas Valley State Prison (1 hr 45 min), and Correctional Training Facility in Soledad (2 hrs).
Salinas Valley State Prison in Soledad is a Level IV facility. It consistently has travel nursing openings for RNs, LVNs, and CNAs with competitive pay packages.
Yes. Many travel nurses base in the Bay Area and commute to facilities within 1–2 hours. Housing stipends are designed to help offset Bay Area housing costs.
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