Required education
ADN or BSN
Average annual salary
Attributes
Independent
Work on your own or even start your own practice, in some states.
Varied
Take on different tasks, patients, and situations every day.
Patient-facing
Work hands-on, directly with patients.
You’ll encounter a wide range of situations, from injuries and contagious diseases to mental illness and substance abuse.

What you’ll do
Management
You’ll make sure safety standards are met and maintain patient records and supplies.
Treatment
You’ll diagnose and treat patients onsite and refer them to hospitals and specialists in other locations when needed.
Where you’ll work
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Jails & prisons
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Juvenile Detention Centers
How to become a Correctional Facility Nurse
01
Get an Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN) or Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).
02
Pass the NCLEX-RN and work as a Registered Nurse.
03
Get your Correctional Health Professional Certification from the National Commission on Correctional Healthcare.
04
You’re ready to work as a Certified Correctional Health Professional.
Join an Organization
Become a member of a Correctional Facility Nurse organization to find career opportunities, learn from your colleagues, and support the profession.
Related Organizations
A Dermatology Nurse’s role is also patient-facing.
An Ambulatory Nurse is another type of community nurse.