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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Clinical Decision-Making: He Doesn’t Look Right
The housing officer catches you as you’re walking back from medication administration.“Can you come take a look at Mr. Jones? I can’t really explain it…he just doesn’t look right.”You ask what he means.“I don’t know. He’s just not acting like himself.”The patient walks into the clinic without assistance. He answers your questions appropriately. His vital signs are within normal limits,…
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Things I Wish Someone Had Told Me About Asthma
Asthma is one of those conditions that can seem routine in correctional healthcare. Most nurses encounter patients with asthma regularly, and many incarcerated persons have managed the condition for years before arriving at the facility. Because it is so common, it can be easy to become comfortable with it. One of the most important lessons I learned about asthma is…
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