Exploring Scope of Practice Issues for Correctional Facility Nurses in Montana

Abstract

The research aims were to (a) explore how correctional facility nurses in Montana perceived the balance between the autonomy required in their field and their scope of practice rights, and (b) contrast the correctional nursing specialty from the more traditional nurse setting. Twenty percent of Montana correctional nurses surveyed said there are times where they simply have to work beyond their state scope of practice boundaries. Respondents were most likely to report that the greatest differences in nursing process related to assessment and interventions. Nurses emphasized their feelings of safety, noting that in this practice setting safety takes the highest priority. Participants also said that correctional nursing had a stigma compared to other specialties.

Assessment of HIV Knowledge in Correctional Facility Health Care Workers

“…This is particularly important, as correctional facility nurses, by survey, are less likely to refer their clients to other resources and more likely to act as primary health care providers. 14 Our study demonstrated that correctional facility nurses benefited from the educational workshop as indicated by a significant increase in overall HIV knowledge and decreased need for further HIV education postintervention. Of note, positive attitude toward individuals living with HIV did not increase postintervention.…”

Enhancing Nurses’ Ability to Care Within the Culture of Incarceration

“…Security issues can be a significant challenge to care (ANA, 2007; Reimer, 2007; White & Larsson, 2012). Policies exist that prevent nurses from engaging in typical caring behaviors, such as touch.…”

“…Working within a specialty that cares for persons who have done injustices to others or have broken the law in various ways may not be socially acceptable. A negative stigma is commonly associated with the specialty, adding to the frustrations of attracting qualified staff (White & Larsson, 2012). More traditional nursing specialties such as oncology nursing, maternity nursing, or gerontology may be more valued by society as they deliver care to a more “deserving” population.…”

Correctional nursing and transformational leadership

“…Nurses are the primary health care providers in correctional institutions, thus correctional health care is a nurse‐driven system . The nursing role is executed within the context of correctional health care policies, professional standards, and correctional institution policies .…”

“…One area that correctional nursing leaders must consider for each team member is assessment skills. Strong assessment skills are required in correctional nursing practice for several reasons: to identify the validity of offender concerns; emergency situations require rapid assessment skills, and nursing assessments may be the initial point of offender contact to determine whether additional health care services are required …”