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Correctional Nursing

While most people do not think of a correctional facility when they hear the word nursing, it is by no means a new field of nursing. Correctional nursing may not yet be as widely known as other areas of nursing practice. Nurse Managers and nursing staff throughout the US visit local schools of nursing, promoting and raising the awareness of correctional nursing. It will take time, but it will happen. In this time of the national nursing shortage and the prediction that this gap for the need and availability of nurses will become even greater in the future, we all need to focus on positively promoting correctional nursing as a viable career option.

Correctional nursing is not any less stressful or less demanding than working in a regular hospital, in fact, it can be, and many times is, more stressful. Despite the fact that one must constantly be aware of their surroundings and be ever on the alert for “danger”, correctional nurses are still under the same guidelines as every other nurse to be professional, provide quality patient care, and to function as a patient advocate. Our patients don’t always arrive to see the doctor with a smile on their face. In fact, many of the patients are angry, distrustful, and even afraid and may be having a difficult time coping with their lack of freedom and privacy. Many times they may have difficulty “opening up” and discussing their health problems and concerns. The correctional nurse must have effective communication skills with the ability to listen and be patient. They must walk that fine line of empathy and sympathy and at the same time be able to provide the best possible care, regardless of the present or past behavior of the patient.

Even with the stress and the “dangers” of the job, Correctional nursing can be very rewarding. With a lower nurse-to-patient ratio, you will be able to spend more time with each patient to give them the best service you can. Not to mention, the great overtime and holiday pay, for all major holidays! Working in corrections will give you great advancement opportunity. Correctional nursing also offers great flexibility with full time and part time work available. You can also pick between 1st, 2nd, 3rd, or 12 hour shifts to accommodate your schedule.

Correctional nursing is challenging, but if you are up to the challenge that can be very rewarding, then Advantage Nursing, Inc. has current openings in Sate and Federal correctional facilities through out the nation. Or if you are interested and want to learn more, please contact us today at 800-370-7479 or get started on your online application!