Abstract
Background: Texas has the largest prison population in the United States, with approximately 134,000 individuals currently incarcerated. Ensuring quality healthcare for all patients, including incarcerated individuals, is essential to uphold ethical standards and legal requirements. However, correctional health facilities face unique challenges in recruiting and retaining skilled nursing staff due to the demanding nature of the work, safety concerns, lower pay, and the stigma of working in a prison environment (Chafin & Biddle, 2013). Introducing nursing students to correctional healthcare through positive clinical experiences may increase their interest in this field for future employment.
Purpose: The project investigated nursing students’ perceptions of their clinical rotations at a correctional healthcare facility and helped faculty evaluate clinical orientation to prepare students for a correctional health setting.
Methods: Student perceptions were evaluated using a modified version of the Attitude Towards Prisoners (ATP) scale. The evaluation occurred at two points to capture changes in student attitudes: before orientation and after the clinical rotation. Additionally, a survey administered immediately after the clinical site orientation evaluated the orientation’s value and preparedness.
Results: A convenience sample of 34 students completed all three surveys. The analysis revealed no significant difference between pre-clinical and post-clinical ATP scale surveys. However, 52% of the students expressed willingness to consider future employment in correctional health. Qualitative feedback identified themes such as pre-orientation concerns about safety and empathy, increased safety and knowledge post-orientation, and post-clinical improvements in clinical skills, unbiased care, and collaboration with nursing staff.
Conclusion: Exposing students to the unique environment of correctional healthcare encourages graduates to pursue careers in this field, potentially improving patient outcomes within the correctional health system by fostering motivated and well-prepared healthcare professionals. Insights gained from this study highlight the influence of educational and experiential components on students’ perceptions of incarcerated individuals and their attitudes toward providing healthcare in correctional settings.
Notes
References:
Chafin, W. S., & Biddle, W. L. (2013). Nurse retention in a correctional facility: A study of the relationship between the nurses’ perceived barriers and benefits. Journal of Correctional Health Care, 19(2), 124-134.
Melvin, K.B., Gramling, L.K., & Gardner, W.M. (1985). A scale to measure attitudes toward prisoners. Criminal Justice and Behavior, 12(2), 41-253. https://doi.org/10.1177/0093854885012002006
Wisevoter. (2023). Prison population by state. https://wisevoter.com/state-rankings/prison-population-by-state
Sigma Membership
Alpha Delta
Type
Presentation
Format Type
Text-based Document
Study Design/Type
Other
Research Approach
Other
Keywords:
Acute Care, Teaching and Learning Strategies, Health Equity, Social Determinants of Health, Correctional Health Facilities
Recommended Citation
Rumsey, Kimberly A. and Joy, Shinu, "Clinical Placements for Nursing Education and Student Perceptions in Correctional Healthcare" (2025). International Nursing Research Congress (INRC). 19.
https://www.sigmarepository.org/inrc/2025/presentations_2025/19
Conference Name
36th International Nursing Research Congress
Conference Host
Sigma Theta Tau International
Conference Location
Seattle, Washington, USA
Conference Year
2025
Rights Holder
All rights reserved by the author(s) and/or publisher(s) listed in this item record unless relinquished in whole or part by a rights notation or a Creative Commons License present in this item record.
Review Type
Abstract Review Only: Reviewed by Event Host
Acquisition
Proxy-submission
Clinical Placements for Nursing Education and Student Perceptions in Correctional Healthcare
Seattle, Washington, USA
Background: Texas has the largest prison population in the United States, with approximately 134,000 individuals currently incarcerated. Ensuring quality healthcare for all patients, including incarcerated individuals, is essential to uphold ethical standards and legal requirements. However, correctional health facilities face unique challenges in recruiting and retaining skilled nursing staff due to the demanding nature of the work, safety concerns, lower pay, and the stigma of working in a prison environment (Chafin & Biddle, 2013). Introducing nursing students to correctional healthcare through positive clinical experiences may increase their interest in this field for future employment.
Purpose: The project investigated nursing students’ perceptions of their clinical rotations at a correctional healthcare facility and helped faculty evaluate clinical orientation to prepare students for a correctional health setting.
Methods: Student perceptions were evaluated using a modified version of the Attitude Towards Prisoners (ATP) scale. The evaluation occurred at two points to capture changes in student attitudes: before orientation and after the clinical rotation. Additionally, a survey administered immediately after the clinical site orientation evaluated the orientation’s value and preparedness.
Results: A convenience sample of 34 students completed all three surveys. The analysis revealed no significant difference between pre-clinical and post-clinical ATP scale surveys. However, 52% of the students expressed willingness to consider future employment in correctional health. Qualitative feedback identified themes such as pre-orientation concerns about safety and empathy, increased safety and knowledge post-orientation, and post-clinical improvements in clinical skills, unbiased care, and collaboration with nursing staff.
Conclusion: Exposing students to the unique environment of correctional healthcare encourages graduates to pursue careers in this field, potentially improving patient outcomes within the correctional health system by fostering motivated and well-prepared healthcare professionals. Insights gained from this study highlight the influence of educational and experiential components on students’ perceptions of incarcerated individuals and their attitudes toward providing healthcare in correctional settings.
Description
Texas has the largest prison population in the U.S., making quality healthcare for incarcerated individuals crucial. The authors explored students' clinical orientation and perceptions of clinical experiences at a correctional health facility using a modified Attitude Towards Prisoners (ATP) scale. Results showed no significant change in ATP scores and 52% expressed interest in correctional health careers.