I spent many years working the overnight shift in my early nursing years, and it shaped my nursing practice in ways nursing school never could. Nights require a level of independence, vigilance, and clinical judgment that develops quickly – often out of necessity. I saw how subtle complaints could evolve into serious emergencies, how limited resources sharpen decision-making, and how…
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Timely reassessment of abnormal vital signs is a fundamental component of safe nursing practice. In correctional settings—where nurses often function with a high degree of autonomy and providers may not be immediately available—this responsibility carries particular weight. An abnormal vital sign is not an isolated data point; it is an indication that the patient may be experiencing physiological instability. Understanding…
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Behind the wall, correctional nurses practice in one of the most autonomous nursing environments in healthcare. We often make the first assessment, gather the key data, and decide when a patient needs provider evaluation. In that space, one mindset becomes essential: clinical curiosity. Clinical curiosity is the disciplined habit of asking, “Could this be something more?” It is not about doubting yourself—it’s about…
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