North Carolina Department of Public Safety

Hiring organization · Based in Perquimans County, NC

1
open role, live count: 4.3
Google rating

Who they are

The North Carolina Department of Public Safety (DPS) is the state's chief public safety and homeland security agency, employing more than 3,400 full-time personnel and 12,000 National Guard members.

More about North Carolina Department of Public Safety

DPS houses multiple divisions including Alcohol Law Enforcement, Emergency Management, Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, and Samarcand Training Academy. For nursing professionals, DPS employs Registered Nurses in correctional and juvenile justice settings, providing healthcare services to inmate and detainee populations. The RN role at DPS is distinct from traditional clinical nursing, offering a Monday–Friday schedule with no weekends, no state holidays, and steady 8-hour shifts, described as a less physically demanding environment compared to hospital nursing. Nurses working within DPS operate at the intersection of healthcare and public safety, providing medical care in a structured, secure environment. The department's 2025–2029 Strategic Plan emphasizes making DPS a 'career destination' and fostering a culture of excellent service, safety, and innovation, signaling an institutional focus on employee retention and workplace improvement.

Mission: 'Safeguard and preserve the lives and property of the people of North Carolina.' Vision: 'To proactively address today's challenges and remain vigilant for tomorrow's risks in the pursuit of a safe, resilient North Carolina.' Values: Collaboration, Customer Service, Innovation, Fairness, and Integrity.

Working here

Culture and working life

public safetystate governmentstructuredmission-drivencollaborativechallengingservice-orientedsecurity-focused

What to consider

Individual nurse reviews on Indeed are mixed. One RN rated the employer 1.0 out of 5, describing the environment as 'stressful' with 'zero support from management' and reporting feeling unsafe due to threats from inmates. Another RN rated the employer 5.0 out of 5, citing 'Supportive Leadership, Excellent Benefits as a State Employee' and praising the supportive and encouraging superiors. The divergent reviews suggest that experiences may vary significantly by facility, unit, or management team.

The good

Predictable Monday–Friday schedule with no weekends and no state holidays
Steady 8-hour shifts offering strong work-life balance
Less physically demanding environment compared to hospital nursing
State government employee benefits package
Opportunity to serve a unique patient population in public safety context
Supportive colleagues and leadership in some units

The hard parts

Safety concerns working with inmate populations, including reported threats
Reports of inadequate management support in some roles
Potentially stressful work environment due to the correctional setting
Patient manipulation and security-related challenges inherent to correctional nursing

The reality check

Before you decide

Quick facts

Roles last seen active: Aug 19, 2026
Website: arhs-nc.org ↗

Ask Mira about North Carolina Department of Public Safety

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