Correctional Nursing Field

1. Correctional Nursing
An Overview
Jennifer Cook
University of North Alabama
Author Note:
Nursing Specialty PPT, This presentation was prepared for NU 200 – P1 – taught by Lynn Underwood

2. Main Duties/Activities Performed
• Monitor medical supplies (needles & medications).
• Limit the use of potentially dangerous materials (scalpels, IV drip supplies).
• Monitor patients’ progress and responses to medical treatments.
• Administer medications.
• Maintain disease clinics and infirmary.
• Document patient medical history.
• Be autonomous, flexible, & diverse.
• Be respectful toward the inmates.
• Have strong assessment skills.
• Maintain a secure environment.
Sources: "Correctional Nurse," n.d.; Moak, 2010
Correctional nurses are one
part security; one part ER
nurse; one part primary care
nurse; and, if working in an
infirmary, one part critical
care nurse.

3. Education Level Required
• Completion of an undergraduate program
in nursing from vocational training
program or accredited school.
• Can be LPN or RN.
• LPN must complete program approved by
the state, which is typically offered at
community or junior colleges.
• RN must have associate’s or bachelor’s
degree in nursing.
Source: "Correctional Nurse," n.d.

4. Certification Requirements
• All potential nurses must pass the NCLEX.
• Correctional nurses can enhance their employment
prospects by receiving optional certification from the
National Commission on Correctional Health Care
(www.ncchc.org). Becoming a Certified Correctional
Health Professional requires passing an exam.
Renewal occurs every year by completing continuing
education activities.
Source: "Correctional Nurse," n.d.

5. Expected Average Salary for the Specialty
$64,000
$118,000
$41,000
$61,000
0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
1
1.2
$0
$20,000
$40,000
$60,000
$80,000
$100,000
$120,000
$140,000
Corrections RN
Huntsville
Correctional
Nurse
Practitioner in
Huntsville
Correctional LVN
in Huntsville
Travel
Corrections RN's
Net in Huntsville
Nurse Salary as of Sept. 2014 Comparison
These wages vary with education,
geography and the level of security of
the prison .
Sources: Gosset, n.d.; "Correctional Nurse Salary in Huntsville, AL," n.d.

6. References
• Boskovitch, Ann M. By Rich Obertots. These Hands. Bill Warner Sony HVR-Z1U, Final Cut, Magic
Bullet., n.d. MP3.
• Correctional Nurse Salary in Huntsville, AL. (n.d.). Indeed. Retrieved September 9, 2014, from
http://www.indeed.com/salary?q1=Correctional+Nurse&l1=huntsville%2C+al&friend=1
• Correctional Nurse: Job Description, Duties and Requirements. (n.d.). Education Portal. Retrieved
September 9, 2014, from
http://educationportal.com/articles/Correctional_Nurse_JobDescription_Duties_and_Requirements.html
• Gosset, N. (n.d.). Salaries of Correctional Nurses. Work. Retrieved September 9, 2014, from
http://work.chron.com/salaries-correctional-nurses-8109.html
• Moak, A. (2010, May 17). Defining a Correctional Nurse. Retrieved September 13, 2014, from
http://www.corrections.com/news/article/24280-defining-a-correctional-nurse