CDCR · Wasco, CA
Wasco State Prison (WSP) is one of CDCR's two main reception centers — the intake hub for most men entering the California prison system. Located in Wasco, Kern County, it processes thousands of new inmates per year, resulting in high nursing volume and diverse clinical exposure. WSP houses approximately 5,100 people at all security levels and maintains one of the highest-volume medical units in the CDCR system.
Quick Answer
Travel nurses at Wasco State Prison earn $2,900–$3,500 per week. RN, LVN, CNA, Ophthalmology, Allied Health positions available. Located in Wasco, CA — from .
Location
Wasco, CA
Kern County
Security Level
Level I – Level IV (Reception Center)
System
CDCR
Capacity
5,100 beds
Opened
1991
Nearest Major City
Reception center nursing at WSP is uniquely high-volume: intake health screenings, TB testing, vaccination administration, health history collection, and triage. Chronic disease identification, ophthalmology services (confirmed by live job data), lab specimen collection, and mental health initial assessments are all core duties. Nurses handle a constant flow of new intakes.
12-hour shifts. The reception center model means consistent, high-volume patient contact. Nurses who thrive on fast-paced primary care environments excel at WSP.
Wasco is a small agricultural city in the Central Valley, 25 miles west of Bakersfield. Housing is extremely affordable ($800–$1,100/month furnished). Bakersfield offers full urban amenities a short drive away.
Wasco State Prison is the primary intake hub for most men entering the California state prison system. Nurses process high volumes of new intakes — health screenings, TB tests, vaccines, and chronic disease identification — before inmates are transferred to other CDCR facilities.
Live job data confirms ophthalmology is an active need. General RN and LVN roles fill regularly given the high patient volume. Allied health roles (audiology, dental, vision) are also common needs at reception centers.
Travel nurses at WSP typically earn $2,900–$3,500 per week. Specialty roles like ophthalmology can reach $3,500–$3,700 with full stipends. The low cost of living near Bakersfield maximizes take-home.
Wasco is 25 miles west of Bakersfield — roughly a 30-minute drive. Bakersfield has airports, hospitals, shopping, and a large furnished rental market.
Range: $2,900–$3,500/week depending on role and shift
Roles Available
RN, LVN, CNA, Ophthalmology, Allied Health
Contract Length
13 weeks
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