title: Exploring work-life issues in provincial corrections settings.
abstract: Correctional nurses hold a unique position within the nursing profession as their work environment combines the demands of two systems, corrections and health care. Nurses working within these settings must be constantly aware of security issues while ensuring that quality care is provided. The primary role of nurses in correctional health care underscores the importance of understanding nurses' perceptions about their work. The purpose of this study was to examine the work environment of nurses working in provincial correctional facilities. A mixed-methods design was used. Interviews were conducted with 13 nurses and healthcare managers (HCMs) from five facilities. Surveys were distributed to 511 nurses and HCMs in all provincial facilities across the province of Ontario, Canada. The final sample consisted of 270 nurses and 27 HCMs with completed surveys. Participants identified several key issues in their work environments, including inadequate staffing and heavy workloads, limited control over practice and scope of practice, limited resources, and challenging workplace relationships. Work environment interventions are needed to address these issues and subsequently improve the recruitment and retention of correctional nurses.
authors.affiliation: Author Affiliations: 1School of Nursing, Queen's University, 2Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing, Nursing Health Services Research Unit, University of Toronto, 3Corporate Health Care, Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services, Government of Ontario, 4Toronto Jail, 5Hamilton Wentworth Detention Centre, 6Toronto Public Health, 7Daphne Cockwell School of Nursing, Ryerson University, 8Kingston General Hospital, 9School of Nursing, University of California, Irvine, 10School of Nursing, McMaster University.
authors.forename: Joan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Almost
authors.forename: Diane
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Doran
authors.forename: Linda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ogilvie
authors.forename: Crystal
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.forename: Shirley
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kennedy
authors.forename: Carol
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Timmings
authors.forename: Don N
authors.initials: DN
authors.lastname: Rose
authors.forename: Mae
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Squires
authors.forename: Charlotte T
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Sue
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bookey-Bassett
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002055:Burnout, Professional; D003220:Conflict, Psychological; D004864:Equipment and Supplies / Q000600:supply & distribution; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009732:Nursing Care; D009864:Ontario; D010561:Personnel Staffing and Scheduling; D011330:Prisons; D017009:Professional Autonomy; D012456:Salaries and Fringe Benefits; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016526:Workload