EXPERIENCE OF NURSING PROFESSIONALS WORKING IN A CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION IN THE NORTH OF CHILE

Abstract

During the last decades there have been several advances in nursing, however the experiences of nurses who work in prisons are still an unknown reality. Objective: To describe the professional experiences of nurses who work in a prison in the north of Chile. Material and Method: Qualitative, descriptive and exploratory study focused on the accounts of professional experience of 6 nurses. The research was approved by an accredited ethics committee and was carried out between August and October 2018, using a semi-structured interview. Quality criteria and scientific rigor were considered. Results: The prison health center has a large infrastructure and a multidisciplinary team to provide health care to the inmates, where organization is based on existing demand, based on a set of regulations and norms that regulate the operation of the correctional institution. It is noted that the most developed areas of nursing are care and management, where the role of nursing is considered essential within the health teams. Additionally, nurses describe this work field as a great learning opportunity and express a positive working environment despite the stressful context. Conclusion: Working in a prison offers nurses a versatile workplace that also allows them to develop leadership and autonomy skills, which are difficult to find in other jobs. Many nursing professionals recommend this work field for future colleagues seeking new challenges.