The Correctional Nurse wears many faces. They are primary care nurses, security nurses and in some correctional facilities, the nurse dealing with those who are critically ill.
Correctional Nursing is a sub-specialty of Forensic Nursing.
The Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse (LPN/LVN), Registered Nurse (RN), and/or the Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) who selects Correctional Nursing are all stepping into the very young world of Forensic Nursing.
In many facilities, Correctional Nurses face many obstacles as they try to render the best possible care they can. Often, they are working in dangerous situations with limited resources. These nurses must maintain astute abilities to remain sharp and fearless. They must stay abreast of the latest evidence-based medical care available.
Correctional Nursing Health Care Issues (not all-inclusive)
HIV
Hepatitis
Cardiac disease
Diabetes
Sexual assault
TB
Mental health issues/illness
Opioid addiction
Juvenile health issues
Injuries from trauma
The nurse must, as stated, remain sharp and be able to recognize a true medical issue as opposed to the inmate who is malingering in order to get attention and manipulate the situation in an attempt to fake a medical condition. The nurse must be able to differentiate among presentations to make very quick decisions about what is occurring. Of course, the nurse has protocols to follow and at the same time, must rely on his/her diagnostic abilities.
Many nurses may feel used and manipulated as Correctional Nurses and some do not get the proper recognition they deserve as excellent Nurses who have the astute ability to handle this type of patient.
Many LPNs (and RNs, but especially the former) who work in a Correctional Facility often feel like they would not be able to secure another position in any other entity; hospitals, clinics, etc. To the contrary, the Nurse who works as a Correctional Nurse is valuable in other areas of nursing and possesses astute diagnostic skills. These Nurses should have no difficulty securing a position outside the Correctional Facility; their resumes/CVs should cover exactly the role they played, their detailed job description, etc.
It takes a very special person to render care to the correctional inmate. A person who is kind, compassionate, fearless, and stays abreast of all the policies and procedures of the facility as well as how to apply Standard of Care (SOC) and evidence-based medicine.
How Do You Become a Correctional Nurse?
Graduate from accredited Registered Nurse (RN) or Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse (LPN/LVN) nursing program
LPN/LVN
Certificate, diploma, or degree
RN
Diploma, ADN, BSN, or higher
NP (or other APRN)
MSN or higher
Successfully pass the NCLEX-RN or NCLEX-PN
Possess current unencumbered RN or LPN/LVN license in U.S. state of practice
What are the Continuing Education Requirements for a Correctional Nurse?
Possess current, unencumbered RN license in U.S. state (and U.S. territories) of practice
Two years (full-time) RN experience
2,000 practice hours in correctional setting within last three years
54 hours of continuing education in nursing (18 hours specific to correctional health care) within the last three years
Salary (2020)
$61,740 avg (Registered Nurse )
$47,363 avg (Licensed Practical Nurse )
$81,433 avg (for all 'nurses')
Hiring preferences and salaries vary by location. You can find U.S. salaries by location at indeed.com.
Resources
The following sites provide additional information and details about the Correctional Nursing specialty area to see if this might be something of interest.
Specializes in Hospice, corrections, psychiatry, rehab, LTC.
On 2/11/2021 at 12:45 AM, TheMoonisMyLantern said:
Thanks for the article! I have been considering correctional nursing for a very long time. Everyone I know that has done it has loved it. I've worked medical, did psych, currently work geriatrics, but corrections keeps calling to me. I worry that I wouldn't be tough enough though, and that's the main reason I haven't tried it yet. But I do enjoy reading about it!
It isn't about being tough. Many of my staff are slight in stature and soft spoken. I have a mix of males and females. Your effectiveness in this specialty will be largely determined by how you conduct yourself. Treat inmates with respect, but dial down the empathy. Don't identify with them or sympathize with them. Be pleasant, but not overly friendly. Don't disclose personal information to or around inmates. Be aware of your surroundings. Follow policies and procedures, and don't take out or bring in anything for an inmate. Don't do for one what you wouldn't do for all. If a request is reasonable, grant it. If you tell an inmate that you will do something, follow through.
It isn't about being tough. Many of my staff are slight in stature and soft spoken. I have a mix of males and females. Your effectiveness in this specialty will be largely determined by how you conduct yourself. Treat inmates with respect, but dial down the empathy. Don't identify with them or sympathize with them. Be pleasant, but not overly friendly. Don't disclose personal information to or around inmates. Be aware of your surroundings. Follow policies and procedures, and don't take out or bring in anything for an inmate. Don't do for one what you wouldn't do for all. If a request is reasonable, grant it. If you tell an inmate that you will do something, follow through.
@riverotter, I'm looking at a correctional nursing position in my area. It's a maximum security facility. I have 15 years med/surge and ICU experience. I'm wondering how I'll like this role. I'm ready for a change, but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a little nervous.
Specializes in Hospice, corrections, psychiatry, rehab, LTC.
On 8/11/2021 at 10:25 AM, Amicrazy said:
@riverotter, I'm looking at a correctional nursing position in my area. It's a maximum security facility. I have 15 years med/surge and ICU experience. I'm wondering how I'll like this role. I'm ready for a change, but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a little nervous.
Thanks for sharing your info!
Corrections isn't for everybody, but for those of us who have settled in it, there isn't anywhere else we care to go. I will have been in this specialty for 20 years come September 1, and I feel a lot safer on the yard than I ever did at night walking the back hallways of some of the hospitals where I worked before this.
I appreciate your input, I'm going to give it a try!
@riverotter, I'm looking at a correctional nursing position in my area. It's a maximum security facility. I have 15 years med/surge and ICU experience. I'm wondering how I'll like this role. I'm ready for a change, but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a little nervous.
I've worked in a women's prison for close to a year now. Easiest nursing job I've had. LPN's handle the meds, I assist as needed. Work a week on and a week off. Money is good as well.
Inmates are a non issue, respectful, friendly. Just have to factor out their crimes when dealing with them. Women are just as violent as males, keep that in mind.
Only complaint is coming from critical care, ED nursing, I don't use the skills and knowledge I've learned. Basically pass OTC meds and common prescription meds.
We run a mid level -PA and she is there a few days a week.
Its been an interesting job to say the least, and I get paid to play on the computer most nights.
Wow, QuePasa, Great description though. PPFD- it's a lot more hands on for nurses in NYS, I think.
I highly recommend Correctional nursing . I am also a Nurse Administrator now. Any new grad nurses or NYS nurses looking for work, I would love to answer any NYS correctionsquestions and steer you into/ through the hiring process!
As far as being respected, I love to tell people where I work. They think I"m so cool and brave, even though I have COs all over and I feel safer than in a regular ED!
@riverotter Hi, I'm a nurse with about 1.5 experience and I want to get into correctional nursing. I'm also in NY and any advice or recommendations on which facilities to work at is welcomed. I want something fast paced where I were see everything. Someone told me maybe jail might be better suited oppose to prison? Any recommendations/advice is welcomed.
Fill out the online application; but I also recommend you contact the prison of your choice. Some prisons get you onboard faster than others. It has to do with staffing; some facilities have a better personnel dep't than others and can get you hired faster.
Here is the contact information for the facilities:
https://doccs.ny.gov/facilities
Choose your facility, call the number, and ask for the nurse administrator or personnel.
Good luck! Please contact me again if you have any questions, such as choosing a facility. Or any questions at all. All nurses through the state recently got raises, making us competitive with the private sector now. Also, it's a great job.
@riverotter Thank you so much for the info. There are soo many locations to choose from. I'm currently more Upstate NY but I don't mind relocating if needed. Any suggestions on which facilities to choose? I was thinking maybe Attica, Wende, Livingston, green haven, or Sing Sing, or even great meadow but I'm not sure which one out off all of the locations would be best. I don't have an ER background so I'm really big on trying to see lots of different things and responding to emergencies if possible to gain experience. Again with over several different facilities I don't even have a clue on which one's to choose. So I's open to any and all suggested locations.
I also saw that due to high demand that a civil service exam is Not needed when looking through the app process?
Why don't you start at a facility where you live, so you don't have to relocate. The job isn't for everyone. I have interviewed many people who got so freaked out by the environment that they never came back.
No, a civil service exam is not needed. You fill out the application and they "grade" you on your years of experience, and maybe take into account if you have a BSN or not. That doesn't really matter, as the short staffing has resulted in the hiring of even brand new graduates.
I think I would recommend starting out in an "RMU" (regional medical unit). There are five throughout the state; they have more services than a regular prison. They have a long term care unit in addition to a regular clinic and infirmary; so you have more of a variety of jobs to choose from . Fishkill, Wende, Walsh, Coxsackie (this one is privatized), and Bedford Hills (female).
Orca, ADN, ASN, RN
2,066 Posts
It isn't about being tough. Many of my staff are slight in stature and soft spoken. I have a mix of males and females. Your effectiveness in this specialty will be largely determined by how you conduct yourself. Treat inmates with respect, but dial down the empathy. Don't identify with them or sympathize with them. Be pleasant, but not overly friendly. Don't disclose personal information to or around inmates. Be aware of your surroundings. Follow policies and procedures, and don't take out or bring in anything for an inmate. Don't do for one what you wouldn't do for all. If a request is reasonable, grant it. If you tell an inmate that you will do something, follow through.