Spotlighting the Career of LCDR Camille Holland

Biography Contributed by: LTJG Alyssa Givens

This Nursing Spotlight is brought to you by CDR Janice Arceneaux, CDR Nichole Vetter and LCDR Allison Gallen

LCDR Camille Holland, BSN, RN-BC, CCHP-RN, has always had a passion to care and serve others, whicheventually led to her decision to become a nurse. LCDR Holland earned her Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) degree in 1994 from Durham Technical Community College (DTCC). She continued her nursing education in 1996,obtaining an Associate Diploma of Nursing (ADN) from DTCC. Shortly after obtaining her ADN, she started working part-time in a State Prison. This experience gave her insight into correctional nursing and a desire to help those ina correctional environment with care and compassion.

LCDR Holland’s interest in correctional work as a nurse continued and she began working for the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) in 1998. For the last 16 yearsLCDR Holland has been working as a psychiatric nurse for at the Federal Correctional Complex in Butner, North Carolina. She started as a civilian nurse in 1998, at the Federal Correctional Institute in the Behavioral Health Department and then transferred in 2000, to the Federal Medical Center. “Before working at the BOP, I never had any experience working in psychiatric nursing. It has been so rewarding, and I havee njoyed working with inmates while having the opportunity to provide care and to see them transition out of the institution.”

It was during this time at the BOP, that LCDR Holland was introduced to the United States Public Health Service (USPHS). She enjoyed working with PHS officers and valued the mission of promoting the health and safety of the nation. LCDR Holland pursued and obtained her Bachelors of Science in Nursing (BSN) in 2006,
from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. In January 2007, she became commissioned as an officer in the USPHS. “It was the best career decision I could have made.” LCDR Holland credits several USPHS officers she worked with at BOP who inspired her to become an officer. 

LCDR Holland’s passion in correctional and psychiatric nursing continues to be influential and motivating for her personally, and she continues to seek opportunities for growth and leadership. For instance in 2014, she became board certified in psychiatric nursing through the American Nurses Association (ANA). “Obtaining this certification displays my professional expertise and commitment to psychiatric nursing.” Additionally, preparing for the RN-BC certification exam provided her with a wealth of psychiatric knowledge. “It inspired me to motivate and encourage fellow staff members to obtain this certification. It has also motivated her to pursue additional educational and career opportunities in Behavioral Health and the BOP.

In June 2014, LCDR Holland became a Certified Correctional Health Professional (CCHP) through the National Commission on Correctional Health Care (NCCHC), whose mission is to improve the quality of health care in jails, prisons and juvenile confinement facilities (NCCHC, 2016). A year after obtaining her CCHP certification, LCDR Holland qualified for her CCHP-RN. “This certification gives me a sense of accomplishment in my career goals and expectations. Additionally, it hasprovided me with more leadership skills in correctional services, as well as, exposure in assisting others seeking certification.”
LCDR Holland is also very active in the BOP Nurse Mentorship Program, serving as a Nurse Mentor to civil service and PHS nurses in the BOP since 2014. The program offers the opportunity to learn from senior nurses and provides guidance to them in their career goals and advancement in the BOP. “The BOP Nurse Mentoring committee is a wonderful opportunity to facilitate a nurse's leadership and growth in their professional career.”

LCDR Holland concludes stating: “I would like to encourage all nurses in the BOP to seek opportunities to advance their leadership skills . She believes this is essential and something she strives for as evident in all she has done and continues to do.

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