Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #100824

Nancy N. Menzel, PhD, APRN, BC, College of Nursing, Healthcare Environments and Systems, University of Florida, PO Box 100187, Gainesville, FL 32610, 3522736401, nmenzel@nursing.ufl.edu

There has been little written about using correctional facilities as clinical nursing laboratories. However, in a search to identify a site appropriate for accelerated nursing students taking an integrated psychiatric and community clinical course, we determined that the county jail offered appropriate opportunities. There is increasing evidence that the mentally ill make up the majority of incarcerated populations. In addition, most correctional facilities lack the resources to address aggregate health needs or to provide primary prevention services, providing community students with extensive opportunities for learning experiences in this unique and challenging environment. In the previous year's evaluations for this clinical course, the students had identified a need to see nurses working in public health settings to help them view this specialty as a viable career choice. The jail offered nurse role modeling for the students through its on-site medical and mental health services provided by a contractor and by the county health department. There was extensive preparation required to build trust with the jail administrators and the contract health services provider before they agreed to allow students on site. To identify students willing to be placed in what some might perceive to be a threatening setting, we asked for student volunteers, who had to undergo background checks (along with the faculty). We will describe student activities, as well as the impact of this experience on some of the jail's 900 inmates, staff, students, and faculty. We will assess the advantages and disadvantages of using correctional facilities for student learning sites.

Learning Objectives:

• List three reasons why correctional facilities are appropriate learning sites for community health nursing students.
• Describe two ways of overcoming challenges when establishing a correctional facility as a clinical nursing laboratory
• Evaluate student experiences working with this vulnerable population

Keywords: Nursing Education, Correctional Health Care

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.

Recorded presentation