DiversityNursing Blog

On an average day, Nurses interact with many patients, their families and friends, and exchange information with numerous healthcare staff. It is critical to be a good communicator because medical errors will occur if providers aren't all on the same page about patients' diagnoses, treatment plans, etc.

Some effective communication skills every Nurse should possess:

VERBAL

Verbal communication is one of the most important skills in Nursing. The goal is to always speak clearly, in a professional tone, and with honesty. Be aware of your patient's level of health literacy and avoid complex medical jargon. Vocally make sure everyone on the medical staff is on the same page about any vital patient information. 

NON-VERBAL

Patient's pick up on body language and nonverbal cues just as much as verbal language. According to Indeed, some examples of nonverbal communication skills include:

• Maintaining eye contact when speaking or listening to someone
• Having a relaxed facial expression
• Smiling
• Nodding
• Keeping arms uncrossed
• Crouching when interacting with a bedridden patient
• Respecting the patient's personal space

CULTURAL AWARENESS 

Nurses care for patients from all different backgrounds and cultures. It is important to be sensitive to the needs of each individual. For example, when working with a deaf patient or someone who speaks a language you aren't fluent in, bring in a translator if necessary. Or if someone has a preferred name or pronoun, you should respect them and refer to them by what they prefer. 

WRITTEN

We understand how incredibly busy you are every minute of your shift. Transitioning patient information to the next caregiver is critical and you must be as clear and concise as possible. This includes creating and updating your patient’s medical record and whiteboard.

Try to jot down notes as soon after meeting with your patient as possible so you don't forget anything and write clearly so others don't get confused. Notebooks and charting books are great tools for every shift. You can write down any concerns or important information about patients and discuss them later on with other team members.

ACTIVE LISTENING

Active listening means you are listening to understand the other person’s experience and empathize with their situation. This requires your ultimate attention and engagement. Some active listening techniques include:

• Nodding your head, but never interrupting. 
• Leaning forward and maintaining eye contact to let the patient know you’re engaged.
• Include minimal verbal encouragement, such as “I understand,” and “go on.”
• Repeating back to them their main point or concern

COMPASSION

Compassionate communication is the ability to exchange your thoughts and ideas with someone, while being empathetic to their suffering and anxiety. Put yourself in their shoes and create a judgment free space for them.

You can demonstrate compassion by using the parroting response which is repeating back what the patient said, but be careful not to overuse this technique because it will inhibit the patient from saying more. It's also important to validate the patient's feelings with a response of understanding or sympathy. 

As you know, Nursing is challenging, but incredibly rewarding as well. Effective communication skills improves your patient’s well-being and puts you and your healthcare team on the same page

Working in healthcare can be emotionally and mentally taxing. Self-care is very important and sometimes curling up with a comfy blanket and a good book is the perfect antidote! 

If you’re looking for book ideas, you came to the right place! Check out this list of books recommended for Nurses, and maybe you'll discover a new favorite.

I Wasn't Strong Like This When I Started Out: True Stories of Becoming a Nurse

This collection of true narratives reflects the dynamism and diversity of Nurses, who provide the first vital line of patient care. Here, Nurses remember their first “sticks,” first births, and first deaths, and reflect on what gets them though long, demanding shifts, and keeps them in the profession.

Nurse: The Art of Caring

This book is a collection of the most memorable moments from the careers of over sixty Nurses. It covers nearly seventy years of practice from World War II to the present day. The extraordinary situations described here are the result of more than 1,000 years of hands-on bedside knowledge.

The Language of Kindness: A Nurse's Story

Through the smallest of actions, Nurses provide vital care and kindness. All of us will experience illness in our lifetime, and we will all depend on the support and dignity that Nurses offer us; yet the women and men who form the vanguard of our health care remain unsung. In this age of fear, hate, and division, Christie Watson has written a book that reminds us of all that we share, and of the urgency of compassion.

The Shift: One Nurse, Twelve Hours, Four Patients' Lives

The Shift gives an unprecedented view into the individual struggles as well as the larger truths about medicine in this country. By shift’s end, we have witnessed something profound about hope and humanity.

Inspired Nurse

In this thought-provoking workbook, Rich Bluni, RN reminds Nurses and all healthcare employees why we chose this profession. He provides a wealth of action-oriented "spiritual stretches" that help us more fully integrate the gifts of Nursing- joy, wonder, gratitude, insight and grief - into our daily lives.

Cooked: An Inner City Nursing Memoir

In May 1971, Look magazine featured an article entitled "Chicago's Cook County Hospital: A Terrible Place." The article provided an in-depth look at the largest public hospital in the country, one located on Chicago's dangerous gang-controlled and drug-infested West Side. Months later, the author, then a naïve suburban teen, and one hundred other Nursing students, began their training there, despite newspaper articles that warned that the hospital might close any day.

Bedlam Among the Bedpans: Humor in Nursing

A must-read for Nursing professionals, Bedlam Among the Bedpans: Humor in Nursing, includes over 100 of the funniest and most creative stories about Nursing collected from Nursing journals, books, and the internet that highlight the humor in the situations Nurses face every day. Inspired by the experiences of real Nurses, the stories relate situations with insights that only Nurses who have "been there" in the field could have.

Becoming Nursey: From Code Blues to Code Browns, How to Care for Your Patients and Yourself

Nursing isn't a career; it's a calling. Learning how to be a great Nurse at the bedside while maintaining your sanity at home is no easy task. This book discusses about how to realistically live as a Nurse, both at home and at the bedside - with a little humor and some shenanigans along the way.

Chicken Soup for the Nurse's Soul: Stories to Celebrate, Honor and Inspire the Nursing Profession

You'll laugh and cry along with these stories from all types of Nurses - about the patients who affected them most deeply, their personal ups and downs as Nurses, their funniest moments, their most heartwarming experiences, and lots of great tips that will help you make a difference in the lives of patients and their families.  

The Nurses: A Year of Secrets, Drama, and Miracles with the Heroes of the Hospital

Alexandra Robbins peers behind the staff-only door to write a lively, fast-paced story and a riveting work of investigative journalism. Robbins followed real-life Nurses in four hospitals and interviewed hundreds of others in a captivating book filled with joy and violence, miracles and heartbreak, dark humor and narrow victories, gripping drama and unsung heroism.

We hope you find time to take care of you whether it’s reading a book, taking a walk, visiting with friends and family, or whatever is best for your self-care. We value and appreciate you!

Why Should Healthcare Be Committed to Diversity in their Workforce? 

Diversity within healthcare is essential in delivering competent and inclusive patient care. Individuals from all walks of life enter hospitals and clinics daily to seek medical care. To provide these individuals with the best medical care possible, we must be able to relate to them properly. The best way to ensure we can connect and communicate effectively with patients is to ensure that the healthcare staff is well diversified. 

What is Diversity in Healthcare? 

Diversity is reflected in healthcare by employing individuals from different backgrounds and walks of life. There are many ways healthcare staff can be diversified. A diversified workforce includes hiring persons of multiple races, ages, genders, ethnicities, religious beliefs, political beliefs, education levels, languages, and sexual orientations. Military service is also a unique quality that can often be overlooked to add to the diverse population of healthcare workers. 

Is Healthcare Committed to Diversity in their Workforce?

Although there is much evidence to support that diversity within the healthcare workforce is beneficial for employees and the community, there is still a gap in healthcare diversity. The majority of Physicians are white males. Nurses tend to be predominately female. 

Benefits of Diversity in Healthcare 

There are many benefits to having a diverse workforce for the healthcare staff and patients. Some of those benefits include:

• Individualized Patient Care for Diverse Populations: When you have a patient seeking care and there is diversity within your healthcare staff, there is always someone on the healthcare team who can communicate and identify with them to ensure their needs are met. 
• Increased Patient Trust: Patients seek medical care for a variety of reasons. Often, the reason for seeking care comes with a sense of anxiety. Studies have shown when patients can easily relate to their healthcare provider, there is better overall communication and better patient outcomes. It’s also been shown that when patients relate better to healthcare staff, they are more likely to continue with follow-up care and take part in preventative care measures.
• Improved Problem Solving: A wide range of perspectives from individuals of different backgrounds allows for better problem solving and creative solutions to problems. When creative minds come together from various perspectives, new ideas and innovations can be produced. 
• Better Employee Retention and Morale: Employing a diverse community of healthcare workers can improve employee morale and make the workplace more enjoyable. Working for a company that takes pride in people of diverse populations positively impacts the workplace and the community. 

Disadvantages of a Lack of Diversity

The disadvantages of a lack of diversity within healthcare can pose significant risks to healthcare delivery and result in poor patient outcomes. Some disadvantages include:

• Impaired Communication: Impaired communication occurs when there is a language barrier. Healthcare staff may not fully understand what a patient is trying to convey, and patients may be confused about the plan of care, leading to patient dissatisfaction and potential medical errors. 
• Limited Perspectives: When healthcare staff lacks diversity, implicit bias can affect how healthcare is delivered to those of different backgrounds. Implicit bias is when healthcare workers unintentionally judge patients based on their different beliefs, customs, or cultures. Although implicit bias is not intentional, it can cause significant harm. Having a diverse healthcare staff decreases implicit biases by allowing for different perspectives while implementing care.

How can we Promote Diversity in Healthcare? 

The only way to truly diversify healthcare professionals is to make medical education more attainable for people of all races, ethnicities, and backgrounds. People seeking healthcare education should have access to feasible and affordable education. 

Many students seeking medical education are not of the traditional college age. College students can range from working parents, people changing careers, or single parents seeking education on weekends or nights. Many people cannot dedicate days to a classroom setting. A great way to achieve a more diverse workforce is to improve upon and offer more online learning programs that are more accessible and affordable to various and diverse people. 

Conclusion 

The importance of diversity within the healthcare workforce is evident. When healthcare is more diversified, medicine itself becomes more culturally competent. All healthcare workplaces should strive to provide a diverse population of workers to improve overall patient outcomes and acquire better patient satisfaction.

As many of you know, a career in Nursing is extremely challenging, but very rewarding as well. For the last 20 years, the Nursing profession has consistently been ranked as the most trusted, honest, and ethical by Gallup. 

Because Nursing is ranked so highly, it takes a special kind of person with a certain set of qualities and skills to be a Great Nurse.   

Some of those characteristics are: 

GOOD COMMUNICATION TO… EXCELLENT COMMUNICATION SKILLS

Communication skills are necessary in almost every career, but in Nursing it's one of the most important aspects of the job. It can literally be the difference between life and death. 

A great Nurse must be able to effectively communicate with fellow Nurses, Doctors, patients, and their families. If not, patients can feel neglected, medical errors can occur and the entire unit will be impacted. 

Emotional Stability

Nursing can be mentally taxing and experiencing traumatic events often takes a toll on you. Emotional stability is a trait that can be practiced and strengthened. It is a necessary characteristic for a Nurse to be successful in this career. 

Ideally, you should have the tools to cope with your feelings and seek assistance if you need it. 

Culturally Competent 

Everyday Nurses care for patients from cultural backgrounds of all kinds. A culturally competent healthcare provider improves patient satisfaction and overall care by understanding and acknowledging a patient's language, customs, and beliefs. 

Team Player

A great Nurse not only focuses on their own workload, but understands that they're a part of team that does whatever is necessary to ensure that all patients are taken care of. A strong team has each other's backs. 

Wants To Learn

The healthcare field is always evolving and requires continuing education throughout. There are plenty of opportunities to learn from experienced Nurses, preceptorships, mentoring programs and continuing education units (CEUs).  

Flexibility 

Many Nurses like the fact that each day is different. You never know what challenges will arise. With that in mind, Nurses often wear many hats and must adapt easily.

Sense of Humor

In a career filled with challenges, you have to find the humor in the craziest situations and laugh whenever you can, with discretion of course. A good sense of humor can alleviate stress and help spread positivity to others. You are human and you need some feel good vibes to get through difficult times. 

Organized

Time management is also a key organizational trait. You must stay on top of when medications are administered, the correct dosage of each med, and when patients need to be fed, bathed, etc. 

The list of traits that great Nurses share is truly never ending as You are almost super human! 

For many years, the healthcare field has struggled with staffing issues, including the Nursing shortage. The COVID-19 pandemic brought these issues front and center. Everyone including Patients, Nurses, and Health Systems benefit from higher staffing rates.

Improved staffing levels reduce:

• Mortality rates
• Length of stay
• Readmission rates
• Preventable health care associated injuries and illnesses such as falls, infections, and pressure injuries

According to research:

• Higher numbers of patients per Nurse was strongly associated with the administration of the wrong medication or dose, pressure ulcers, and patient falls with injury.
• Short-staffing increases patients’ risk of death by between 4% and 6%. This risk is higher within the first five days of admission.

Five organizations came together in 2018 to form the Partners for Nurse Staffing in a collaborative effort to explore new solutions for Nurse staffing issues. In early 2022, they launched the National Nurse Staffing Think Tank. 

The Partners for Nurse Staffing includes:

• American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN)
• American Nurses Association (ANA)
• American Organization for Nursing Leadership (AONL)
• Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA)
• Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI)

The think tank made recommendations to address the Nurse staffing crisis within a 12-18 month implementation timeframe.

The recommendations include: 

Healthy Work Environment

• Elevate clinician psychological and physical safety to equal importance with patient safety through federal regulation.
• Specialty Nursing organizations should investigate evidence related to scope of practice and minimum safe staffing levels for patients in their specialty.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI)

• Implement Inclusive Excellence, a change-focused iterative planning process whereby there is deliberate integration of DEI ideals into leadership practices, daily operations, strategic planning, decision-making, resource allocation and priorities.

Work Schedule Flexibility

• Build a flexible workforce with flexible scheduling, flexible shifts and flexible roles.

Stress Injury Continuum

• Address burnout, moral distress, and compassion fatigue as barriers to Nurse retention.
• Incorporate well-being of Nurses as an organizational value.

Innovative Care Delivery Models

• Implement tribrid care delivery models that offer a holistic approach with three components, including onsite care delivery, IT integration of patient monitoring equipment, and ambulatory access and virtual/remote care delivery. This approach will improve access, patient and staff experience, and resource management, with continuous measurement for improvement and adjustment for sustainability and support.

Total Compensation

• Develop an organization-wide formalized and customizable total compensation program for nurses that is stratified based on market intelligence, generational needs and an innovative and transparent pay philosophy that is inclusive of benefits such as paid time off for self-care and wellness and wealth planning for all generations.

The time for action is Now. Nurses, and their patients, must have proper staffing levels in order to provide the best care possible! 

One of the greatest benefits of the Nursing profession is that there are always new and emerging ways to improve our skills and reach new occupational heights. Medicine is ever-changing and with that, Nurses are also ever-changing. We must learn to adapt to new procedures, medications, technology, and equipment. These changes often unlock the potential we have to grow within the Nursing profession and there are many opportunities to grow right at our fingertips. Wherever you are in your Nursing journey there is always room to grow professionally.

Continuing Education Opportunities

Most states require Continuing Education Units (CEUs) for Nurses to renew their RN licenses. Although many Nurses may feel that completing CEUs can be a tedious and unnecessary task, they are a great opportunity to advance knowledge and skills. There are many different ways to fulfill CEU requirements including conferences, online classes, on-the-job training, independent study programs, and post-secondary degree programs. Completing CEUs with the intention to advance your skillset can be a great step in advancing your career.

 Seek a New Certification

Getting a Nursing certification is an excellent way to advance your career. There are hundreds of Nursing certification options available to all Nurses regardless of their current Nursing position. Holding certain certifications will make you more marketable to employers and allow for more opportunities. There is no limit to the number of certifications you can hold as a Nurse and each certification can help you gain a competitive advantage in your Nursing field. Some of these certifications include basic life support (BLS), advanced cardiovascular life support (ACLS), trauma Nursing core course (TNCC), and Wound Care Certification (WCN-C).

Organize or Join a Unit-Based Council

Unit-based councils are a professional practice model that facilitates shared decision-making between staff Nurses and Nursing management. These councils can impact policies, procedures, and processes in everyday patient care. Organizing or joining a unit-based council will promote evidence-based practices, improve patient-centered care, increase job satisfaction, improve Nurse retention, and foster professional growth and development. Participating in a unit-based council also looks great on a resume.

Join a Professional Organization

There are many benefits to joining a professional organization that can support your advancing career. Whatever your Nursing specialty, there is most likely a professional organization you can join to support your growing skills and knowledge. These organizations help Nurses achieve personal growth and development by supplying educational opportunities such as CEUs, education conferences, occupational networking, and academic scholarships. Taking an active part in these types of organizations can offer Nurses professional development opportunities including mentoring and leadership development. To choose an organization that will be the right fit for you look for a group that focuses on your chosen specialty or area of interest. 

Consider Specialization

Nurses have the opportunity to become specialized in their chosen Nursing field. Nursing certifications are a formal process in which clinical knowledge and skills are tested to demonstrate competence in a chosen specialty. Nurses can become specialized in various fields including but not limited to emergency Nursing, medical-surgical Nursing, rehabilitation Nursing, and critical care. Achieving board certification in your chosen specialty demonstrates that you are an expert in your chosen field and can lead to increases in pay, management positions, and more.

Take the Next Step in Your College Career

Educational advancement in the Nursing profession is endless and there is always room to climb the professional ladder. The Nursing profession offers a wide variety of job opportunities and with every new degree achieved, new doors can be opened. Going back to school is a big decision to make and there are many aspects to consider. There are many different paths that can be taken to advance your degree. Classes can be taken online or in-person as well as part-time or full-time. These options allow Nurses the flexibility they need to continue working while achieving their degrees.

Registered Nurses who have achieved a bachelor’s degree can decide to enroll in a graduate Nursing program and receive a master’s degree in Nursing. There are several different areas of focus Nurses can choose including a Nurse Practitioner (NP), Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS), Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA), Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL), and Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM). The benefits of obtaining a graduate degree in Nursing include a pay increase as well as teaching and leadership opportunities.

In closing

Knowledge, skill, and passion are what can really drive a Nurse forward in the Nursing profession. What is most important is that you find what you are passionate about and go for it with integrity. By doing this, you will find yourself opening the door to new opportunities that will lead to your own personal journey of growth and development in Nursing.

Each year during Nurses Week we take the time to show our appreciation for Nurses and all of the amazing hard work they do. Companies have also taken this opportunity to show their appreciation by offering special discounts and freebies for healthcare heroes. 

To save Nurses some time, we compiled a list of companies who are participating in special offers. 

Applebee’s is offering Nurses with a verifiable ID a free appetizer with any entree purchase through May 15. However, each Applebee’s franchise may offer something different or extra. Call toll-free at 888-592-7753 to see.

Chipotle is giving 2,000 health care professionals free burritos for a year. Until May 6th, people can nominate healthcare heroes by tagging them on Chipotle’s official social channels, and give a brief description of the amazing work they do.

Texas de Brazil is offering a 15% discount with a valid badge or ID.

ASICS is providing Nurses with 40% off ASICS products. When you verify your healthcare worker status using SheerID, you will receive a one-time-use promo code.

Great American Cookies is giving a free Original Chocolate Chip Cookie through Friday, May 6, with any purchase and valid ID.

Amazon is offering four free medical drama books, specially curated to celebrate Nurses.

Outback Steakhouse is offering 10% off your bill when you show your industry identification. The discount is not available via online ordering.

Adidas has offers of 30% off in-store and on the Adidas website, and 20% off at factory outlet stores, when you verify your status as a Nurse with ID.me.

Ring is offering 20% savings on select Ring Doorbell products.

Brooklyn Bedding wants you to get the best sleep possible with 25% off and free shipping on your entire order of mattresses, pillows, sheets and/or foundations. Verify your eligibility via ID.me during checkout.

Lululemon is giving 15% off in-store or online purchases.

Budget is offering a discount of up to 25% for Nurses. Create an ID.me account, or sign in to enjoy this offer.

Enterprise Rent-a-Car is also offering 25% off their rental car costs. An ID.me account is required to access this discount.

National another car rental company, “lets you choose any car in the aisle and go” with up to 25% off.

Thank you Nurses for all you do! We hope you enjoy your special week! 

As a Nurse, you always have essentials in your pockets or bag to help you get through a shift and day-to-day life as you never know when your experience and skills will be needed. Here are some of the essential items Nurses have on hand.

IIPHONE & CHARGER

Your iphone is a useful tool especially when you fill it with apps such as Eponyms, Nursing Dictionaries and Drug Handbooks. You can also use it to set alarms for important reminders.

LOTION & SANITIZER

Nurses are constantly washing their hands throughout the day, leaving their skin dry. That's why having lotion in their bags is important to keep skin in good condition. Meanwhile, the sanitizer helps them steer clear of those pesky germs.

STETHOSCOPE & CLEANER

Every Nurse needs their stethoscope! It's important to keep your stethoscope sanitized, so it's a good idea to keep stethoscope cleaner in your bag. It's an even better idea to have a cleaner with a rubber protecting agent to prevent cracking, keeping it in tip top shape.

EXTRA MASKS

You can never have enough masks and gloves!

FACE CREAM, CHAPSTICK AND MINTS

Wearing face PPE can cause skin irritation, acne and cracked lips. You can use face creams and lip balms to keep skin healthy. Wearing masks all day can sometimes cause bad breath, try keeping mints or a travel size mouth wash in your bag.

SCISSORS & TAPE

Nurses need to have these in their pockets for emergency use, especially for wound care. Micropore tape is also important and should be readily available, for example, when your patient accidentally pulls his/her IV.

SALINE FLUSHES

Nurses are frequently administering medications via IV so having saline flushes on hand is a smart move. 

SMALL NOTEBOOK

Mini notebooks are great for taking notes from Doctors and writing down important observations of your patients to remember for charting.

WATER BOTTLE & SNACKS

Staying hydrated is super important as well as eating healthy during your shift. Have a reusable bottle to keep your favorite beverage nearby and toss easy to eat and healthy snacks in your bag.

RETRACTABLE PEN HOLDER

No more losing your pens and markers. The retractable holder keeps badges, IDs, pens, markers and more attached to you for easy access and safe keeping.

What are some of your favorite items you keep nearby?

The American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) reported more than 355,000 Nurse Practitioners (NPs) are licensed to practice in the U.S. This is up 9% from the estimated 325,000 reported in May 2021.

This increase in NPs will help aid the healthcare provider shortages and ease burnout from the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“Nurse Practitioners are answering the call to provide vital health care services to all Americans,” said AANP President, April N. Kapu, DNP, APRN, ACNP-BC, FAANP, FCCM, FAAN. “With the challenges of the pandemic and the demand for more accessible and equitable care, NPs continue to enhance health care delivery across all settings. Today’s Nurse Practitioner count indicates that demand for these highly-qualified clinicians continues to be on the rise — and for good reason.”

Nurse Practitioner holds the first spot on U.S. News and World Report's 2022 Best Health Care Jobs list and second on the 2022 100 Best Jobs list. 

Kapu said, “These rankings highlight what we have known for some time: the NP role is not just a job, it’s a calling for more than 325,000 NPs who are working tirelessly on the front lines of health care, from hospitals to primary care clinics, in patients’ homes and via telehealth. NPs are highly trained and committed health care providers improving the health of their patients and communities. As we enter the third year of the COVID-19 pandemic, America’s NPs will continue delivering high-quality care in every health care setting and expanding access to care in vulnerable and underserved communities. Their dedication makes me proud to be an NP.”

As of May 2021, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) lists these 5 states as having the highest employment levels for Nurse Practitioners:

• California
• New York
• Texas
• Florida
• Tennessee 

Nurse Practitioners in the U.S. make an average of $118,040 annually, according to the BLS. 

Currently, more than 25 states allow NPs to practice independently. This means they can open their own clinics and treat their own patients without needing a Physician to oversee the practice.

A career as an NP is very rewarding and allows more freedom and flexibility than many other types of Nursing positions. 

There is a dire need for healthcare professionals to care for America's incarcerated patient population. The U.S. has the highest incarceration rate in the world, according to the World Prison Brief. With approximately 2.1 million people behind bars. 

According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of people who work as Registered Nurses, including Correctional Nurses, could rise by 9% from 2020 to 2030.

Correctional health care requires a compassion that sees beyond a person's criminal record and can provide quality care in a unique setting.

According to Indeed, some of the skills a Correctional Nurse should have are similar to a Nurse in any professional environment, with 1 additional skill:

• Critical thinking skills
• Problem-solving skills
• Attention to detail
• Interpersonal skills
• Communication skills
• Organizational skills
• Emergency response
• Knowledge of how to interact with inmates

As a Correctional Nurse, you provide a wide variety of care including intake and testing, treating preexisting conditions such as high blood pressure and diabetes, chronic illnesses ranging from influenza to AIDS, and emergency injuries such as broken bones and puncture wounds. 

Some patients may need to be taken through detox due to substance abuse and others may have symptoms of mental illness. With such a range of health issues, it's important to have a broad set of skills and be able to act quickly. 

Dodge Correctional Institution's Nursing Supervisor, Paula Stelsel said, "Working here, I’ve touched on everything from dialysis to post-op to hospice care. You’re getting a little bit of everything, and if you enjoy patient education, what a great place to come and work." 

Many people have the notion that working in a correctional facility would be unsafe, however these facilities follow strict security protocols to ensure safety. In any hospital or healthcare setting, Nurses face safety risks. 

“There’s a perception out there that prisons are like people seen on TV, dirty and dangerous. But that’s not the case. They’re really not that far from a regular clinic that everyone and anyone goes to. The clientele is just a bit different. A lot of inmates haven’t had care, so you can enact meaningful change just by providing your compassionate care as a Nurse. Their health literacy is pretty low, and a lot of them are very appreciative of the help that you give them, the compassion that you show them, the empathy. They’ve just never experienced those things." said, Registered Nurse Robert Frank.  

According to PayScale, the average annual base salary for Correctional Nurses is $54,000 and total pay ranges from $38,000 to $78,000. Correctional Nurse salaries are determined by many factors such as experience, credentials, and location.

Overall, Correctional Nursing is an interesting healthcare option that provides a different, rewarding experience each day. 

Check out the video below to see a day in the life of a Correctional Nurse.