I am often asked, “what is correctional nursing (and why are you spending your time doing that)?” and I thought I would share what I usually respond here.
Correctional nursing is a specialized area of nursing that involves providing healthcare services to incarcerated persons in correctional facilities, such as prisons and jails. While many people might not think of nursing as a profession that is commonly found in correctional settings, the reality is that correctional nursing is an important and essential component of the criminal justice system.
Correctional nurses are responsible for the provision of a wide range of healthcare services for incarcerated persons, including assessing and treating medical and mental health conditions, administering medications, providing emergency care, and coordinating care with other healthcare providers. Patient education and advocacy are also important duties of the correctional nurse. Accurate and comprehensive health records are vital, as is ensuring that incarcerated persons receive appropriate care, monitoring, and follow-up.
One of the key challenges in correctional nursing is caring for a patient population that is often marginalized and underserved. Many incarcerated persons have complex medical and mental health needs that have gone untreated for long periods of time, and as a result, they may require more intensive and specialized care than the general population. Additionally, incarcerated persons may be resistant to seeking medical care or complying with treatment, which can make it challenging for correctional nurses to provide effective care.
Unlike our nursing colleagues in other specialties, correctional nurses work in an environment where the primary mission is not healthcare, and so are challenged when providing care to always consider the unique security concerns of the correctional environment. Nurses must be aware of potential security risks and must be trained in proper safety procedures to ensure their own safety and the safety of their patients. This does not mean that the care provided inside the walls can differ from that provided in the community.
Despite these challenges, many nurses find working as a correctional nurse rewarding and a fulfilling career path. Correctional nurses can make a positive impact on the lives of some of the most vulnerable and marginalized members of our society, and oftentimes provide care that is lifesaving.
If you are interested in pursuing a career in correctional nursing, it is important to have a strong foundation in nursing theory and practice, as well as experience working with diverse and complex patient populations. Specialized training and certification in correctional nursing may be required by some employers and is available through the National Commission on Correctional Health Care and the American Correctional Association. In addition, correctional nurses have a national professional organization, The American Correctional Nurses Association, whose membership is open to all nurses working in correctional healthcare – LPNs/LVNs, RNs, and APRNs.
What do YOU say when asked about correctional nursing? Please share in the comments section below.