NEW ALBANY, Ind. – The Indiana University Southeast School of Nursing is partnering with the Veterans Court of Southern Indiana to conduct a clinical experiential learning opportunity in collaboration with the correctional justice system and the military community.
Founded in 2011 by Maria Granger, presiding judge over Floyd Superior Court 3, the Veterans Court of Southern Indiana is a certified treatment court for veterans facing a criminal charge after a military experience, and it is the first veterans court in the state.
“This partnership with IU Southeast advances health and recovery outcomes in Southern Indiana,” said Granger. “It reduces the stigma surrounding substance use disorders and mental health by providing student nurses with insightful courtroom experiences and increasing the potential for a more rewarding nurse-patient connection.”
IU Southeast nursing students will learn resources and evidence-based treatment approaches through the justice system that assists veterans with mental health and substance use disorders. Nursing students will communicate and interact with the judge and social service professionals in the court setting and at interprofessional team meetings.
“This partnership will have a substantial impact on meeting the nursing students’ learning outcomes in becoming culturally competent registered nurses,” said Rosalind Williams, clinical assistant professor in the School of Nursing. “Nursing students will obtain evidenced-based approaches from court-involved holistic interventions that improve the physical health and social needs of veterans who participate in the court.”