Why correctional nursing

Due to misunderstandings about correctional nursing and a lack of interest in the specialty, correctional facilities need to offer competitive salaries. Sources show the competitive nature of correctional nursing. Similar to the entire nursing profession and other nursing specialties, Muse expects demand to be high for nurses in corrections. Certainly, registered nurses can have more of an expanded role. Since the report, hospitals across the country have begun encouraging and requiring the degree, and this applies to other nursing environments.

Muse said she certainly encourages correctional nurses to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, because the specialty requires a great deal of cross-sectional skills and knowledge. Alvernia University is committed to advancing healthcare across the nursing profession. The online RN to BSN Completion Program helps nurses gain the skills and knowledge they need to thrive in fields such as correctional nursing.

With a flexible and convenient learning environment, students are able to reach their goals while they maintain their current work and personal schedules. Unlike our colleagues in other settings, we have the ability to monitor our patients as often as we want, or as often as their condition requires; thus ensuring that they are receiving the necessary care. Patient education is a gift we give to our patients, and for some, it is life-changing.

Please share any other questions or comments you have about Correctional Nursing practice in the comment section. I enjoyed a 20 year career in correctional nursing. Made sure that I continued my education both in the field of correctional nursing and in nursing.

I tell new nurses starting out that you can advance your career, get certified in wound care, diabetic certification, etc. Correctional Nurses Today. Comments I enjoyed a 20 year career in correctional nursing.

The nursing team are often the first health professional prisoners will see in regards to health care. Correctional health nurses care for a relatively stable population, allowing regular contact with prisoners over their period of incarceration to address chronic conditions or other priority health issues. Despite the fact that correctional health nurses work with individuals who have committed crimes, they must be able to treat each other with respect, compassion and understanding.

Examples of nursing activities in correctional settings include emergency care, coordinating and delivering nurse-led clinics, health promotion activities, liaising with the interdisciplinary team, coordinating care, conducting health assessments, alcohol and drug treatment, providing immunisations and chronic disease management. One of the most important relationships is between the nursing team and the correctional officers.

The two professions must work closely with each other to ensure emergency situations are managed and the health and safety of health professionals is always assured. Due to the processes in place and the working relationship with the correctional officers, nurses often feel safe in the correctional health environment.

As a nurse working in correctional health, membership with APNA can help you connect with other nurses in correctional health, advance your knowledge in areas relevant to correctional health, safeguard your registration with quality and cost-effective professional indemnity insurance, and make informed career and professional decisions with access to the member-only Nurse Support Line.

Start exploring your career as a nurse in correctional health Take a look at what APNA membership could mean to you. Career and Education Framework. Clinical resource information. Correctional healthcare facilities are often under-resourced, and correctional nurses may feel some ambiguity about caring for persons who have committed certain crimes.

However, most nurses caring for inmates see their role as serving an at-risk or vulnerable population. She has also worked for over 13 years as a freelance writer specializing in consumer health sites and educational materials for nursing students.

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Correctional Nurse Career Overview. Featured Online Programs. Advantages to Becoming a Correctional Nurse Making a difference by teaching healthy or rehabilitative behaviors Treating a wide variety of health conditions, both chronic and acute High appreciation from inmates who may have received little to no healthcare in the past High demand.

Disadvantages to Becoming a Correctional Nurse Work can be emotionally draining with high burnout. Facilities maintain high safety protocols, but nurses may need to be more alert and vigilant than in other healthcare settings.