VR app helps nursing staff experience prison working
By Gemma Raw
Nurses considering a career in HM Prison Service can now get a feel for what it’s like to work in a custodial setting thanks to a new immersive virtual reality (VR) app.
Have you ever wondered what it’s like to work as a prison nurse? It’s obviously challenging, but is it dangerous? And how different are prison nursing jobs from those in hospital or community settings?
Well, now you can get a taste of the experience of working in a prison clinic without actually being there. A new virtual reality app takes you on an immersive journey into a prison environment, as well as providing insights into the benefits and challenges of a prison nursing role through interviews with a mental health nurse, a healthcare officer and a GP.
Developed by the Health Education England (HEE) national nursing and midwifery directorate, in partnership with NHS England’s National Health and Justice team, the app also features five real-life scenarios based on interactions between patients and practitioners, with accompanying e-learning modules.
Helping overcome barriers to prison nurse recruitment
Understandably, many nurses have reservations about applying for jobs in prison nursing. However, it can be an interesting and rewarding career choice, with plenty of day-to-day variety. Generally, the prison population has higher rates of physical and mental health issues than you would find in wider society. Therefore, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to use a wide range of skills and to really make a difference to people’s lives by delivering compassionate care to patients from diverse cultural and social backgrounds.
“Immersive learning experiences can play a significant role in helping people considering a placement setting or career change to make an informed decision to what their new role might look like,” said Patricia Howe, HEE’s Simulation and Immersive Technologies Programme Manager. “We hope that nurses who are interested in a career in a prison healthcare setting find this a useful tool in making their decision.”
Prison nursing jobs – an overview
Prison nurses are employed either directly by the NHS or a private healthcare provider delivering services on behalf of the NHS. You’ll be part of a multi-disciplinary team, including GPs, pharmacy teams, support workers, dentists, podiatrists, physiotherapists, paramedics, psychological professionals, psychiatrists and prison staff.
Prison nursing jobs don’t require any specialist qualifications. You just need to have a current NMC registration. Induction and training will be provided to enable you to adapt to the unique environment of a custodial setting. Career development routes include opportunities in management, education and research. More information about prison nursing roles is available on the NHS careers website.
The Nursing in Adult Prison Healthcare Settings VR360 app can be downloaded or viewed via a web browser from the HEE e-learning for healthcare hub.
