Seizure disorders are common in correctional healthcare, and many nurses become comfortable caring for patients who have a history of seizures. One of the first lessons I learned, however, is that the seizure itself is often only part of the assessment. When a seizure is reported, it is natural to focus on the event. How long did it last? What…
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Over the past thirty years, I have had the privilege of working alongside hundreds of correctional nurses. They have practiced in county jails, state prisons, federal facilities, juvenile centers, and detention facilities across the country. They have been LPN/LVNs, RNs, APRNs, new graduates, seasoned clinicians, staff nurses, managers, educators, and leaders. Although their backgrounds and experiences have been very different,…
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One of the first lessons new correctional nurses learn is that they do not practice alone. Unlike many other healthcare settings, correctional nurses work side-by-side with correctional officers every day. Each profession has different responsibilities, different training, and different priorities, yet both share responsibility for the safety and well-being of the incarcerated population. Developing a respectful and collaborative working relationship…
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