Correctional nursing is a unique part of the healthcare industry. It requires nurses to work directly with patients in correctional facilities while also balancing patients who are more isolated and have reduced access to care, making this position very important.
Although it can be challenging given safety concerns and resource limitations, correctional nurses play a vital role in providing the high-quality care that all patients deserve. They are major players in determining care needs and improving long-term health outcomes for those who are incarcerated.
Safety, Compassion, and the Correctional Nurse
Providing the quality, compassionate care inmates need in a prison, jail, or other correctional settings requires nurses to maintain professional boundaries and learn how to prioritize safety. At the same time, they must recognize that inmates are patients first who require care, too.
It is true that incarcerated individuals suffer from higher rates of mental health conditions, chronic illnesses, and substance use disorders when compared to the general population. Research from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has shown that correctional healthcare settings face several issues that can affect patient care, such as resource constraints, limited staffing, and poor continuity of care.
Working together for the betterment of incarcerated individuals matters because, as suggested by the researcher Dana Lehrer in the Journal of Correctional Health Care, “If our patients are not successful and prepared to reenter society, are we meeting a reasonable standard of care?”
How Can Correctional Nurses Help?
Being a correctional nurse gives nurses an incredible opportunity to positively impact the lives of patients in their care. Correctional nurses can help by focusing more on collaboration with patients and their healthcare providers, remembering that many patients have mental health issues in addition to their other medical concerns. Using strong assessment skills and thorough documentation can help ensure that appropriate care is being provided.
It is appropriate for correctional nurses to serve as patient advocates, ensuring they understand disease processes, health education, and other relevant information. Additionally, nurses should communicate all concerns to staff and supervisors to help avoid health complications among the incarcerated.
Most importantly, correctional nurses should always maintain professional empathy. Having compassion for people who are imprisoned is not a negative thing, and it doesn’t mean nurses have to lower their safety standards or boundaries. Professional empathy means:
- Listening without judgment
- Treating individuals with dignity
- Acknowledging patient concerns
- Understanding the disease processes and environmental elements that have led to these circumstances
Recognizing and managing bias is an essential part of this role, as patients in correctional settings deserve the same standard of care as those in traditional healthcare settings.
How Correctional Nurses Influence Patient Outcomes
Correctional nurses have a direct influence on patient outcomes, as they are often the primary healthcare provider seen by people who are incarcerated. Patients may not have received consistent care before being incarcerated, which is why nurses can play such an important role in positive outcomes and long-term success.
Some areas in which correctional nursing is known to improve outcomes include:
- Health education: Talking to patients about their health, the importance of medication adherence, and disease prevention enables them to play an active part in their health and wellness.
- Chronic disease management: Diseases and conditions such as asthma, hypertension, diabetes, and others are common among correctional populations and require attention. Regular monitoring and medication management can help stabilize patients and prevent complications during their time in the facility.
- Infectious disease: Due to close living quarters in correctional settings, the risk of infectious disease spread is increased. Nurses can help by educating the population, working on prevention, offering screening, and taking action to treat early signs of disease before they spread.
- Continuity of care: When people come into jail or prison, they don’t always have a plan for their health. Connecting patients with community resources and coordinating with their medical providers can help. Additionally, when they’re to be released, helping patients find community resources is key. Doing these things can improve long-term health outcomes and minimize the risk of hospitalizations.
Why Choose Correctional Healthcare?
Correctional healthcare is an attractive setting for nurses who are looking for a meaningful and rewarding career path. Facilities such as prisons, jails, and other correctional facilities are structured environments with opportunities for personal and professional growth, competitive pay, consistent work, and autonomy.
Nurses who work in corrections are often drawn to:
- The consistent flow of patients and the ability to build longer-term relationships and rapport with them
- The ability to travel and have flexible assignments within correctional systems
- The high demand for nurses means there are always opportunities leading to better pay and more consistency
- The opportunity to operate more autonomously and advocate for patients
- The ability to work with patients with a variety of health conditions, including both mental and physical health concerns
At Supplemental Health Care, we support nurses who want to make a difference in nursing roles across the United States. Whether you want to focus on working with underserved populations or you want to help improve patient outcomes in corrections, there are opportunities waiting for you.
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