Issue link: https://nnumagazine.uberflip.com/i/447737
26 M A R C H 2 0 0 6 W W W . C A L N U R S E S . O R G C A L I F O R N I A N U R S E Perform ongoing outreach to and edu- cation of the public and communities about correctional health needs and the role of the correctional health RN. Monitor legislation concerning social and political issues that affect correction- al health. Establish and educate local Profes- sional Practice Committees (PPCs) and other correctional nursing practice or- ganizations so that they can monitor and advocate at the county and state levels about issues that affect correctional nurs- ing and the health of incarcerated indi- viduals. Establish a system linking state, coun- ty adult, and juvenile Correctional Nursing Advocacy Groups to effectively coordinate response to correctional nursing needs. Recommend that CNA act at the city, county, state, and federal levels to rebuild correctional nursing to be able to deliver safe, therapeutic, and effective nursing care. B. CORRECTIONAL NURSING PRACTICE Support and promote efforts to utilize correctional RNs as the care provider re- sponsible for initial and ongoing assess- ment, case management, and evaluation of correctional health services. Expand correctional RNs' participa- tion in serving on multidisciplinary teams dealing with other health disci- plines and law enforcement/custody personnel. Increase correctional nursing partici- pation in evaluating needs of the incarcer- ated population and their reentry into the community. Preserve and protect correctional nurs- ing as a necessary and critical component of any correctional facility. Require correctional RNs to identify themselves by title. C. CORRECTIONAL NURSING COMPETENCIES Continue to promote correctional nursing curriculum around the state by increasing access, funding, and establish- ing correctional nursing curriculum in col- leges and universities. Increase community outreach efforts by correctional RNs. Encourage correctional health facili- ties to develop clinical experience oppor- tunities for all nursing students seeking to work in corrections as a unique nursing specialty. D. PUBLIC EDUCATION Educate the public, as well as the nurs- ing community, about effective correc- tional nursing services, including the impact of correctional nursing functions and practice. Invite the public to participate in issue identification and solution discussions surrounding the delivery of nursing care in correctional facilities. E. COLLECTIVE BARGAINING Educate correctional RNs that collec- tive bargaining is a powerful vehicle to controlling practice, patient advocacy, and protecting safe care. Develop strategies for enhanced inter- nal organizing of correctional RNs in CNA contract facilities. Promote involvement/participation of correctional RNs in the collective bargain- ing process. References and Bibliography American Correctional Association. (2002). Standards Supplement for Adult Local Detention Facilities. Lan- ham, MD: ACA. Anno, B.J., Ph.D. (2001). Prison Health Care Guidelines for the Management of an Adequate Delivery System. Chicago, IL: NCCHC. California Little Hoover Commission. (2001). Being There—Making a Com- mitment to Mental Health. Faiver, Kenneth, MPH, MLIR. (1997). Health Care Management Issues in Corrections. Lanham, MD: ACA. Kupers, T., MD. (1999). Prison Madness: The Mental Health Crisis Behind Bars and What We Must Do About It. Yossey—Bass, Inc. National Commission on Correctional Healthcare. (2003). Standards of Health Services in Prisons. Chicago, IL: NCCHC. Puisis, M., MD. (1998). Clinical Practice in Correctional Medicine. Chapter 1. Stoller, N., Ph.D. (2001). Improving Ac- cess to Health Care for California's Women Prisoners. California Policy Re- search, Santa Cruz. Zielbaur, P., Private Health Care in Jails Can Be a Death Sentence, New York Times, February 27, 2005. ■ Hedy Dumpel, RN, JD is Chief Director of Nursing Practice and Patient Advocacy for the California Nurses Association. Correctional nursing must separate from the legitimate functions and needs of corrections personnel in order to serve the legitimate purposes of nursing. Clear identification of the boundaries between and collaboration with other disciplines and agencies must be established and enforced without sacrificing patient care or patients' rights. Political Environment and Judicial Branch Update On June 30, 2005 federal judge Thel- ton Henderson placed himself in charge of California's prison health- care system and announced he will appoint a receiver or multiple re- ceivers accountable only to him. The receivership is believed to be the largest ever imposed on a state by a federal court. Federal judges are assuming over- sight of what became the new "De- partment of Corrections and Rehabilitation" on July 1, 2005. The combined department will replace what had been the California Depart- ment of Corrections and Rehabilita- tion and the California Youth Authority. Another judge appointed a special master to help reform the youth au- thority, while a separate special mas- ter is being considered to oversee stalled parole reforms. CE Home Study Course