A version of this story first appeared in the 2024 issue of On Call, a publication of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga School of Nursing.
The Hamilton County Jail and Detention Center now serves as an unconventional classroom for nursing students at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.
“It’s not about the technology here; it’s about the way the staff engages with the inmates, finding ways to make care personal and effective,” says UTC senior Jim Krabbendam.
Jim Krabbendam
“You have to rely on your skills, your instincts and your ability to connect with people on a human level.”
Now in its fourth semester, this jail rotation is a crucial component of the community nursing course—the result of a partnership between the School of Nursing and the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office. Small groups of students assist the jail’s clinical staff with health assessments, vital signs and lab work, gaining insights that extend beyond nursing basics.
“In these scenarios, nurses learn to focus on the patient’s humanity rather than their history,” explains Dr. Latisha Toney, who leads the course and guides students through various environments—from the jail to shelters to free public health screenings.
Transitioning from the high-tech world of hospitals and campus simulation labs to a more austere environment challenges students to develop and depend on their clinical judgment.
“Many of our students aspire to work in ER or ICU settings, and this program offers a different perspective on caring for individuals with complex backgrounds and medical needs,” Toney adds. “The experience sharpens students’ decision-making and adaptability, which is valuable in any health care setting.”
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Hamilton County Sheriff Austin Garrett says the program benefits students, improves inmate health and strengthens community safety.
“The HCSO is proud to partner with UTC’s nursing program to offer students this unique opportunity to apply their skills in a real-world setting at the Hamilton County Jail and Detention Center while providing essential health care support to a vulnerable population,” Garrett says.
Krabbendam says his experience there reinforced the delicate balance of professionalism and compassion required in nursing.
“What stood out the most was the respect and compassion that the staff—nursing, mental health and corrections officers alike—showed the inmates,” he recalls.
Jail is a high-stress environment, but in the interactions he observed, the staff prioritized the inmates’ safety and well-being.
“I may not know if correctional nursing is in my future, but I will carry this perspective with me,” Krabbendam says. “In the hospital setting, with all the devices nurses must manage, one runs the risk of losing sight of the patient. There is still a human there that should be the primary focus of our energies.”
UTC, like many nursing programs, is broadening its focus beyond traditional hospital settings to prepare future nurses for a variety of health care environments.
The shift reflects a growing emphasis on providing equitable access to care for all segments of the population, according to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing.
“Working in the jail has shown me that even when resources are limited, you can still make a difference,” Krabbendam says. “It’s about using what you have and making a genuine connection.”
The program also extends beyond the jail. Dr. Toney’s course includes rotations at local shelters, schools and elderly care facilities, giving students a broad view of community health care.
“A lot of the issues we see in hospital settings start in the community. We’re teaching students to address those challenges at their source,” Toney says.
“Nursing isn’t just about skills—it’s about seeing the person, no matter where they are. This program helps our students carry that lesson forward.”
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