Correctional Nursing

image from Rule #1- NEVER SHOW FEAR.

http://www.nursingbehindthewall.com Rule #2- YOU MUST HAVE THICK SKIN.

Correctional nurse- A nurse that provides health care to

inmates that are incarcerated in a correctional facility (prison, jail, juvenile detention center).

Educational Requirements/ Career Mobility (Opportunities)

-LPN (NCLEX-PN)
-Registered Nurse (NCLEX-RN), prefer generalists, broad knowledge- (Psychiatric, ER,
MedSurg, Substance Abuse)
-Master's or Doctorate (Nurse Practitioners)
-Many opportunities to grow (nurse manager, practitioner, director). Depends on experience and
education.
-Certification- Certified Correctional Health Professional (CCHP)

Specific Responsibilities
-Depends on the level of education the nurse currently has.
-History, physical exam, assessments, knowing how to handle infectious diseases and emergency
situations, dealing with chronic illnesses, psychiatric disorders.
-Specifically to correctional facilities- responsible for maintaining a secure environment always (any
equipment that can be turned into a weapon can't be sitting around, needle and medication use must be
monitored). SAFETY COMES FIRST!
- Proper training on safety and weapons. Must be aware of issues at their specific facility (drugs, gangs).

Schedule
- There has to be a nursing staff 24/7. (including nights, weekends, holidays).
-Typically 8 hour shifts, 5 days a week, work every other weekend. Some facilities offer 12 hour shifts
and have more days off.

Salary 1.)Education level (LPNs- $40,000; Registered Nurse-$77,000; Correctional nurse

practitioner-$107,000)
2.) Geography (California)
3.) Level of security (maximum, medium, low)

Advantages Disadvantages

- Autonomy -Safety
- Mental Health -Malingering
-Confidentiality
-Mentally
exhausting
- Knowledge of
crimes committed
-Barrier(tension)
image from 2014/04/10/5-things-know-correctional-nursing/