Ethical and Legal Issues
In the correctional setting, the patient is at the core of professional nursing practice. The fact that the patient is incarcerated is only a circumstance of his or her situation and does not, and should not, change how the nurse practices or how the nurse views the patient. Correctional nursing allows the nurse to practice the essence of nursing while recognizing that all patients have intrinsic value. Achieving and staying true to professional nursing values while practicing in the correctional setting can create a unique set of ethical, legal and professional issues for the nurse. This article will examine some of the ethical and legal issues correctional nurses must address in their practice.