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Exploring the Professional Identity of Australian Custodial Health Nurses Through Workplace Satisfaction
Josephine Burton1, Donna Waters1, Mary Chiarella1
1Susan Wakil School of Nursing and Midwifery, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia.
Journal of Advanced Nursing
|July 20, 2026
Summary
Custodial Health Nurses (CHNs) report low overall job satisfaction, with pay and policy being least influential. However, professional status, autonomy, and interaction significantly boost their workplace satisfaction, informing recruitment and retention strategies.
Area of Science:
- Nursing
- Public Health
- Organizational Psychology
Background:
- Custodial Health Nurses (CHNs) provide essential healthcare in correctional settings.
- Understanding CHN professional identity is crucial for workforce development.
- Recruitment and retention challenges exist within this specialized nursing field.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the professional identity of Custodial Health Nurses (CHNs).
- To inform role development, recruitment, and retention strategies for CHNs.
- To measure workplace satisfaction among Australian CHNs.
Main Methods:
- Quantitative workforce study utilizing a survey.
- Included demographic instrument and Stamps Index of Work Satisfaction (IWS).
- 127 CHNs completed demographic data; 119 completed the full survey.
Main Results:
- Overall low workplace satisfaction reported (Total IWS Score: 12.44).
- Least influential factors: pay, organizational policy, and task.
- Most influential factors: professional status, autonomy, and interaction.
Conclusions:
- CHNs share similar workplace experiences with other nursing specialties.
- Embracing professional nursing identity aids thriving in custodial health.
- Findings can shape positive professional identity and improve CHN recruitment and retention.
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