Nurses and supervisors with Correct Care Solutions, which provides medical care at all the Kansas Department of Corrections facilities, received recognition last week from the American Correctional Association.

Kansas is the first state to have its health care program in the department of corrections certify its entire nursing staff.    The certification includes on-the-job experience and requires nurses to be in their job for more than one year. They also have to take a certification test, which many don’t pass the first time.

“The purpose of the ACA is to raise the professional standards of corrections employees and help them continue their careers,” said James Gondles, American Correctional Association executive director. “The purpose of certification is to show the professional level of standards established.”