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Recent Graduate Finds Correctional Nursing Rewarding
By Dawn Wolf-Taylor and Amy Archuleta
Stephanie Patrick-Cavillo (BSN 13) enjoys working in one of the lesser known branches of nursing-the prison system. Stephanie is the director of nursing (DON) at Lea County Correctional Facility in Hobbs, New Mexico.
According to Stephanie, prison nursing is not scary like it may be portrayed on TV. Personal safety issues are often improved over those of emergency and other trauma care nurses due to the fact that guards always accompany the prison patients, and nurses learn the general demeanor of the prisoners over time. She describes it as an exciting environment because of the ever-changing conditions of correctional nursing.
Another benefit of working in this environment is the opportunity to make an impact on patients who previously had no formal healthcare. The community profits from the inmates receiving quality care and education that assists them in becoming more productive healthy members of society once they are back at home.
I don’t know if I would have been as successful in another BSN program.
“Nursing care within prison systems is not about sitting around waiting for people to die,” Stephanie explained, “but rather about providing care many prisoners would not have prior to incarceration.” She enjoys teaching the prisoners how to manage their health issues and how to continue self-care, so that they can improve their own quality of life.
Stephanie began working at Lea County Correctional Facility as a Licensed Practical Nurse while she was earning her Registered Nurse licensure. She also completed certification for Certified Correctional Healthcare Personnel. Stephanie continued her education by attending ENMU to earn her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). Earning her BSN secured her position as the DON. Stephanie enjoyed the supportive atmosphere the ENMU nursing department provided. She explains, “I truly felt that I was not alone. I always felt like I had a team with me, even though it was an online program. I do not know if I would have been as successful in another BSN program. ENMU’s program is designed to help students attain their goals.”
