Melanie Dimas, RN, CCHP

At just 19 years old, Melanie started her career in the corrections industry. After working as a corrections officer for 13 years, Melanie decided to switch up her career and become a nurse. She began working as a CNA while still in school and eventually graduated from nursing school in 2012.

As correctional healthcare continues to evolve, Melanie would like to see correctional healthcare be taught as a specialty in school. “You hear about everything but correctional healthcare and there’s been a little stigma, but in my mind, it is the right way to do medicine.”

Before joining the CorrHealth team in 2021 as an RN/HSA, Melanie had already begun her significant career in correctional nursing. She spent nine years as a Health Services Administrator (HSA) in Wyoming and in 2016 earned her credential as a Certified Correctional Health Professional (CCHP) from the National Commission on Correctional Health Care. “It was important for me to have this credential in my position as an administrator. If you’re planning on making corrections your profession long term, it is very beneficial and I’m proud of the accomplishment.”

During her time at CorrHealth, Melanie continues to share her knowledge by serving as a Travel Interim Nursing Supervisor in New Mexico, Texas, and Wyoming. “Remembering to be firm, fair, and consistent, is key to building success as a correctional nurse, says Melanie. You have a captive audience, and you can teach patients to be accountable for their own care. Some of them have never learned how to do that and it can change their life.”

To learn about opportunities to grow with CorrHealth, visit www.mycorrhealth.com/join-our-team