Unit.D.2.1.
Correctional Nurse
Australia |
focus
points
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 |
Insert forensic
focus points here
Canada |
focus
points
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The article by
Norens (1971) is a historical classic, written about Drumheller
Penitentiary, it is a collectable for the history of correctional
nursing in Canada.
"First
female nurse was hired to work for (CSC) Correctional Service
Canada at Drumheller Penitentiary in 1971" (Norens,
1971, p.37).
"The nurse
must be one who agrees with the philosophy of rehabilitation
not punishment" (Norens, 1971, p. 38).
This paper reports
on a study of a year long project that identified competencies
and skills expected of nurses working in forensic areas.
"13 general
areas of competencies and 162 enabling skills requisite
to each general competency were identified" (Niskala,
1986, p. 402).
"In addition
to describing competencies and skills expected of forensic
nurses, this article also presents information of about
one way to identify the educational needs of nurses"
(Niskala, 1986, p. 401).
"Requiring
particular attention is clarification of the nurse's professional
role - especially ethical and legal issues, role blur and
role conflicts" (Niskala, 1986, p. 412).
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Role
of Forensic Correctional/Prison Nurse
- Balance
of care/custody role
- Admission
Cursory Medicals
- Assessments:
mental status, suicide, addiction (withdrawal)
- Medication
administration
- Referral,
resource, educator, advocate· Infection control
(education, prevention, reporting)
- Crisis
intervention (seizures, hanging, cardiac arrest,
choking, diabetic reaction/coma)
- 24 hour
health care needs
- Medical
Records (documentation, health care transfers).
(Kent-Wilkinson, 1999).
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Responsibilities
of Forensic Correctional Nursing
- To provide
for each offender a standard of health care comparable
to that in the community.
- To
provide health care services to incarcerated individuals.
- To
assist the offender to achieve and maintain that
level of physical and mental well being regarded
as essential for the individual concerned.
- To
implement the nursing care process for most health
problems (everything from Aids to Zits).
(Kent-Wilkinson, 1999)
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|
Forensic
Correctional Nursing Specialized Components
- security
- objectivity
- tolerance
- compassion
- decisiveness
- stability
- confidence
- assertiveness
- non-judgmental
- ability
to work independently, but within a team structure
and in a secure environment
- excellent
assessment skills (physical and psychosocial)
- knowledge
of criminal/legal process and terminology
- liaison
for police, physicians, courts
- consult
with other members of the multidisciplinary team
(Kent-Wilkinson, 1999)
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International |
focus
points
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Insert forensic
focus points here
United Kingdom |
focus
points
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Insert forensic
focus points here
United States |
focus
points
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"In 1984,
correctional nursing was recognized as a specialty by the
American Nurses Association" (ANA, October, 1984) (Hufft
& Fawkes, 1994, p.36).
"In 1925,
historically, correctional nursing began in the New York
City Correctional System when someone recognized the need
to "keep people quiet" in jail" (Murtha,
1975, p.421).
Focus Points
Reference
| Hufft, A.G.,
& Fawkes, L. S. (1994). Federal inmates - A |
unique
psychiatric nursing challenge. Nursing Clinics
of North America, 29 (1), 35-42.
|
| Kent-Wilkinson,
A. (1999). Forensic Nursing Roles. |
Retrieved
from http://www.forensiceducation.com
|
| Murtha,
R. (1975). Change in one city's system: It |
started
with a director of nursing. American Journal
of Nursing, 75 (3), 421-422.
|
| Niskala,
H. (1986). Competencies and skills required |
by nurses
working in forensic areas. Western Journal of
Nursing Research, 8 (4), 400-413
|
| Norens,
G. (1971). Nurses in prison. Canadian Nurse, |
67
(5), 37-39.
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D - Forensic Corrections > Section D.2.0. Forensic Roles > Unit.D.2.1.
Correctional Nurse
