The Unique Role of the Correctional Nurse and Their Utility

• You may hear about nurses working in the correctional field, but have you ever wondered what exactly the role of a correctional nurse is? You may be surprised!
  

• Correctional nursing does not receive the attention that it deserves, and, in most cases, it is poorly funded.  

• Are you interested in taking on a new role?

You may hear about nurses working in the correctional field, but have you ever wondered what exactly the role of a correctional nurse is? You may be surprised!  

Correctional nursing does not receive the attention that it deserves, and, in most cases, it is poorly funded.  

However, it is a specialty that plays a key role in public health.  

The Basics

In most cases, a correctional nurse will possess either an NP or RN license; however, in some instances, an LPN may also have the opportunity to work on the facility’s premises.  

Much like a hospital, anything can happen in prison or halfway home setting that a correctional nurse must be prepared for. Possessing critical thinking skills and an ability to adapt to fast-paced environments is a must.  

On top of this, you might be one of just a few other nurses on staff, so you may have to take on managerial tasks such as keeping inventory of available medical supplies.  

You must also be able to work quickly and utilize the limited resources that you may have. Remember, real medical emergencies still happen in a prison or correctional facility, and you do not have a massive supply room to assist you there. 

What Should You Expect?

Nurse author, educator, and former correctional officer, Lorry Schoenly, PhD, RN, CCHP-RN, tells Nurse.org that there are five things she wishes she had known about the role before she began, these are:  

1. Ignore the stereotypes, it is safer than you would think. 
2. The patients are appreciative, as many have not had consistent access to healthcare services prior to incarceration. 
3. You will be exposed to uncommon conditions (tuberculosis, leprosy, botulism, etc.). 
4. In some cases, negotiating with administrators and officers is the only way to further a patient’s treatment. 
5. Practice self-care to avoid compassion fatigue.  

From a first-hand account, it is evident that the role of a correctional nurse can vary immensely from a nursing job within a healthcare facility.  

I can imagine you don’t take your accessibility to equipment, medications, and backup for granted once you’re inside a correctional facility’s walls. 

What Care Does a Correctional Nurse Provide?

There is usually a medical center inside a facility – this can be a small exam room to numerous clinical spaces. 

The correctional nurse’s role in the clinic is one of managing the patient load, similar to an outpatient clinic in the community.  

But it isn’t always basic clinical care that a nurse is responsible for. Emergencies happen too, and more often than you think in the correctional setting. 

Think of a correctional nurse as a slightly more qualified EMT. 

How Do You Get Involved?

There are several ways that you can get involved in a correctional healthcare career! 

Whether you gained experience during a clinical rotation or have always had a passion for going into this field of nursing, the role of a correctional nurse revolves around making positive impacts in people’s lives. 

Of course, your first step is to attend nursing school and obtain your BSN, as well as passing the NCLEX-RN examination.  

Following, you will want to gain experience in public health, whether that is directly in a correctional facility or halfway home environment.  

The pay isn’t so bad either.  

According to Zip Recruiter, the national average pay for a correctional nurse is $73,017 per year.  

I hope the explanation of the role of a correctional nurse helps to aid your curiosities.  

Are you thinking about a career in a correctional nursing role? 

You should try it out. You may love it!  

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