There are seven guiding principles for Correctional Nursing in the third edition of Correctional Nursing: Scope and Standards of Practice. These are based upon the previous tenets for Correctional Nurses. Knowledge of and adherence to these guidelines will enhance Correctional Nursing practice.

Patient-centered care is at the core of correctional nursing practice.

Correctional nurses respect the dignity and diversity of the patients for whom they care, and consider the patient while respecting the safety and security guidelines. They advocate for the patients’ health needs while considering the patients’ health history, personal health goals, culture, life circumstances and community living when developing their therapeutic care plan.

The nursing process is fundamental to correctional nursing practice.

Correctional Nursing practice is based upon individualization of patient care through the nursing process. This includes the use of critical thinking skills; patient education to promote self-care; and the use of theory and evidence based practice to assess, develop nursing diagnoses, identify outcomes, plan, implement and evaluate care. Finally, nursing interventions are designed be beneficial for the patient and do no harm.

Professional nurses know their correctional nursing role.

Professional Correctional Nursing requires excellence in clinical practice demonstrated in proficient use of the nursing process, expertise in health assessment skills and clinical competence. Correctional nurses know that their primary role is the provision of nursing care, and they must maintain professional boundaries with their patients and other disciplines in the correctional environment.

Correctional nurses recognize the value of teamwork and collaboration by establishing partnerships.

Correctional Nursing practice requires collaboration with a multitude of disciplines including custody, specialty care providers, community agencies and re-entry specialists to provide for continuity of patient care. The Correctional Nurse values the contributions of each member of the interpersonal team.

A strong link exists between the professional work environment and the professional nurse’s ability to provide quality care and achieve optimal outcomes.

Correctional Nurses know that the obligations of their practice don’t change because of the practice environment. They have ethical obligations to foster a healthy work environment, and maintain and improve healthcare practices in that environment.

All correctional nurses promote quality patient care.

Correctional Nurses may assume leadership roles and become responsible for overseeing the delivery of health care. This is accomplished through developing, directing and guiding other members of the healthcare team as allowed by their licensure. Correctional nurse administrators and leaders encourage professional and personal development though promotion of the profession’s scope and standards of practice, continuing education, specialty certification and participation in professional organizations.

Correctional nurses demonstrate compassion and caring within secure facilities.

Correctional Nurses are truthful and respectful in their patient interactions. They listen with intention and in a non-judgmental way. They display cultural competence. Correctional Nurses exemplify moral ownership, moral efficacy and moral courage.

Please use the comments section below to share with your colleagues how you envision implementing these guidelines in your Correctional Nursing practice.

This post is based upon the Correctional Nursing: Scope and Standards of Practice, 3rd edition, published in November 2020.