Date of Conferral

2022

Degree

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

School

Nursing

Advisor

Courtney Nyange

Abstract

Abstract Nurses play a critical role as primary care providers in correctional facilities, as well as custodians of security. However, there is a significant disparity in the supply of nurses in correctional settings relative to other practice settings, which is a major gap in practice. The current problem arises from the inability to retain nurses in the correctional settings. Prisons have a harsh work environment characterized by a difficult patient population and stringent policies that govern operations. Additionally, a high level of bureaucracy impedes system reforms and transformations. The purpose of the DNP project was to find out if the implementation of management staff education would improve job satisfaction and retention rates among correctional nursing staff. Published research evidence specific to job satisfaction and turnover in corrections was the primary source of evidence for the project. The Iowa evidence-based practice model guided the search process. Eleven nurses participated in the educational intervention project. The project employed the pretest/posttest design without a control group. Findings have shown that the rate of nursing staff satisfaction increased from 30% (pretest) to 50% (posttest). In addition, turnover intentions reduced from 78.6% (pretest) to 63.6% (post-test). Effective management is necessary to promote a supportive workplace culture. Specifically, improving working conditions and engagement of correctional nurses in key decisions can improve job satisfaction and intention to stay. The management should also foster access to professional growth and development. This will attract highly skilled healthcare workers who will drive the change agenda and reform nursing practice in the correctional setting to be on par with nursing in other settings.

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