Your Corrections Nursing Career

You can qualify for corrections nursing jobs by:
 
●      Earning your LVN/LPN, ADN, or BSN.
●      Getting your license to practice through your state.
 
Some correctional facilities may hire nurses without clinical experience. However, getting experience in hospital, critical care, emergency, and/or medical-surgical settings can help prepare you for success.

Corrections nursing can be both challenging and rewarding due to the unique environment. Working in a correctional facility requires nurses to be adaptive, attentive, and open-minded.
 
Overall, the job’s demands will greatly depend on the facility’s nurse-to-patient ratio.

Thorough precautions are in place to ensure your safety, and officers are present during exams.
 
Learn more about the safety of correctional nursing here.

There are a wide range of nursing roles and specialties within corrections nursing, including:
 
●      Substance abuse
●      Mental and behavioral health
●      Emergency care
●      Health assessments
●      End-of-life care

The job of a correctional nurse changes day to day. Some of these duties may include:
 
●      Managing the overall healthcare of inmates
●      Administering medications
●      Monitoring vital signs
●      Providing assessments and interventions for medical emergencies
●      Collaborating with other healthcare professionals for comprehensive care

Correctional nurses may be eligible to advance their careers by obtaining certifications or furthering their education in a specific healthcare specialty.
 
Many corrections facilities also provide opportunities for healthcare leadership and administrative roles.

The median annual salary for a correctional nurse in 2023 is $62,489, ranging from $56,055–$71,435, according to Salary.com. However, it varies greatly depending on location, facility, experience, and certifications.

There are several benefits of corrections nurse jobs, including:
 
●      Job security, due to high demand
●      Competitive salaries and benefits packages
●      Opportunity to work with diverse and often underserved patient populations
●      Increased empathy and interpersonal skills
●      Chance to gain a wide range of healthcare experience

There are no additional qualifications required for correctional nurses.
 
However, you can advance your career and opportunities by gaining certifications such as:
 
●      Certified Corrections Nurse (CCN)
●      Certified Corrections Nurse/Manager (CCN/M)
●      Certified Health Service Administrator (CHSA)
●      Correctional Behavioral Health Certification (CBHC)