[hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”aboveTheFold” /][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Correctional Nurse Career in Brief[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Correctional nurses provide healthcare to inmates in correctional institutions. Some also provide care to staff, but inmates are usually correctional nurses’ primary population.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Correctional nurses work under the direction of physicians or [hen-ui-link href=”/nurse-practitioner/”]nurse practitioners[/hen-ui-link] and may supervise nursing assistants. They monitor inmates’ health, treat inmates’ health conditions and injuries, and may provide health education and coaching.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Career Traits[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Communication skills[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Collaborative[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Empathy[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Interpersonal skills[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Maximizing resources[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”belowTheFold” /][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Where Do Correctional Nurses Work?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Correctional nurse jobs are almost entirely in jails or prisons, but correctional nurses may also work in halfway houses, group homes for juvenile offenders, and work-release settings.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”xxs”] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″][hen-ui-icon icon=”minus” color=”primary” aria-hidden=”true” /]Jails or Prisons[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Correctional nurses triage healthcare issues, provide direct care under a physician or advanced practice nurse, conduct health testing, and educate inmates on preventative health.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-flex][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”xxs”] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″][hen-ui-icon icon=”minus” color=”primary” aria-hidden=”true” /]Halfway Houses[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Correctional nurses conduct health testing, educate inmates on healthy eating and other health habits, and provide direct care.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-flex][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”xxs”] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″][hen-ui-icon icon=”minus” color=”primary” aria-hidden=”true” /]Group Homes[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Correctional nurses offer health education, including on substance use and reproductive health, provide direct care, and coach on healthy habits and behaviors.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-flex][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Is Correctional Nursing Right for Me?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Correctional nurse jobs can be tremendously demanding both physically and emotionally. Inmates may exhibit antisocial behaviors toward correctional staff and have multiple or complex health problems. Facilities also may not be well resourced. Still, correctional nurses have the satisfaction of knowing they are helping people in need of care and that they can play a role in rehabilitation.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]How to Become a Correctional Nurse[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Correctional nurses can practice as a licensed practical/vocational nurse (LPN/LVN), registered nurse (RN), or advanced practice RN. (Terminology is the only difference between LPNs and LVNs; Texas and [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/state/california/”]California[/hen-ui-link] use the term “LVN.”)[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Some nurses begin their career as LPNs, since that takes just one year of education. Others start with the two-year associate degree in nursing (ADN) or [hen-ui-link href=”/degrees/bsn/four-year-bsn-degree/”]four-year bachelor of science in nursing[/hen-ui-link] (BSN) degree.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Certifications in Correctional Nursing[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”check”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.ncchc.org/cchp” target=”_blank”] Certified Correctional Health Professional (CCHP)[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-heading] This credential does not require work experience but applicants must hold a nursing license; students and new entrants may apply. The multiple-choice exam includes questions on correctional healthcare standards.[/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.ncchc.org/CCHP-RN” target=”_blank”] CCHP-RN[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-heading] This credential requires the CCHP credential and a two-hour multiple-choice examination on correctional nursing topics.[/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.ncchc.org/cchp-a” target=”_blank”] CCHP-A[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-heading] This is the advanced version of the CCPH credential. It requires the CCPH and passing an advanced essay examination on correctional healthcare standards.[/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.ncchc.org/CCHP-MH” target=”_blank”] CCHP-MH[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-heading] This credential focuses on mental health. The two-hour multiple-choice exam requires an existing CCPH credential and completing questions on mental health standards for correctional healthcare.[/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]How Much Do Correctional Nurses Make?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The average annual base salary for correctional nurses is $68,185 as of May 2022, according [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Correctional_Registered_Nurse/Hourly_Rate” target=”_blank”]to Payscale[/hen-ui-link]. The total pay ranges from $51,000 to $92,000. Several factors determine [hen-ui-link href=”/careers/correctional-nurse/how-to-become/”]correctional nurse salaries[/hen-ui-link], including experience, required credentials, and geographic location.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Overall, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 9% growth from 2020-2030 for all RNs. However, correctional nurse job growth will depend on funding for correctional institutions, changing inmate healthcare needs, and any regulations that affect correctional staffing levels.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-article-card title=”Find State-Specific Salary Data” href=”/registered-nursing/” size=”compact” border=”stroke”][/hen-ui-article-card][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Frequently Asked Questions About Correctional Nurses[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″][hen-ui-icon icon=”circle-help” color=”primary” aria-hidden=”true” /]How long does it take to become a correctional nurse?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]It can take one year to become an LPN and either two or four years to become an RN, depending on whether the nurse has an ADN or a [hen-ui-link href=”/degrees/bsn/rn-and-bsn-degree-differences//”]BSN degree[/hen-ui-link]. Entry-level CCHP certification does not require experience.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″][hen-ui-icon icon=”circle-help” color=”primary” aria-hidden=”true” /]What kinds of questions are on the CCHP-RN exam?[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The questions on the CCHP-RN exam cover correctional nursing practices, including policies, legal and ethical issues, disease transmission and prevention, communications, and nursing program management. The questions are multiple choice.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″][hen-ui-icon icon=”circle-help” color=”primary” aria-hidden=”true” /]Is correctional nursing safe?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]While many might view working in a correctional facility as unsafe, these facilities follow high-security protocols to ensure the safety of all inmates and staff. In any setting, nursing presents health risks due to exposure or interactions with people under severe stress or with mental health conditions. Correctional populations can present additional risks, but in all settings, following best practices and procedures greatly reduces risk.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″][hen-ui-icon icon=”circle-help” color=”primary” aria-hidden=”true” /]What unique challenges do correctional nurses face?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Correctional healthcare facilities are often under resourced, and correctional nurses may feel some ambiguity about caring for persons who have committed certain crimes. However, most nurses caring for inmates see their role as serving an at-risk or vulnerable population.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Resources for Correctional Nurses[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”check”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.ncchc.org/” target=”_blank”] National Commission on Correctional Health Care[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-heading] The National Commission on Correctional Health Care issues certifications, conducts facility accreditations through peer review, offers professional development opportunities, and publishes standards, newsletters, and a journal. Unlike the organizations listed below, it is not an association and does not have members.[/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″][hen-ui-link href=”https://acna.nursingnetwork.com/” target=”_blank”] American Correctional Nurses Association[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-heading] The American Correctional Nurses Association offers professional development and continuing education, including conferences, and conducts advocacy to increase correctional health resources. Nurses and nursing students are eligible for full membership and others for affiliate membership.[/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.correctionalhealth.org/” target=”_blank”] Academy of Correctional Health Professionals[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-heading] The Academy of Correctional Health Professionals issues newsletters and a journal, provides professional development and continuing education in partnership with the National Commission on Correctional Health Care, and connects students and young professionals with mentors. Membership is open to all interested in correctional health.[/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.aca.org/” target=”_blank”] American Correctional Association[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-heading] The American Correctional Association publishes correctional standards, performs accreditation, offers professional development and education, and issues certifications, including certifications for correctional behavioral health, health services administrators, correctional nurses, and correctional nurse managers.[/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][hen-ui-separator /][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Related Pages[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-article-row variant=”slider” ids=”34437,34407,33995,33965″][/hen-ui-article-row][hen-ui-separator /][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Page last reviewed May 4, 2021[/hen-ui-text]