A newly admitted incarcerated person is being monitored for opioid withdrawal. Over the past two days, the COWS scores have steadily improved. The sweating has decreased. The tremors are less noticeable. Vital signs are stabilizing, and the patient reports feeling "a little better." Then, during ... Read More about Clinical Decision Making: Is It Really Withdrawal?
The Correctional Nurse
Things I Wish Someone Had Told Me
One day, I was talking with a few nurse friends about nursing school, and we all found ourselves saying the same thing: "I wish someone had told me that!" We realized that while nursing education gives us an essential foundation, many of the most valuable lessons come later—through experience, ... Read More about Things I Wish Someone Had Told Me
Correctional Nurse Practice Update: Communication Behind the Wall: Building More Effective Interactions
Communication is a major component of correctional nursing practice. Thoughtful, intentional communication strengthens the therapeutic relationship and supports safe, effective patient care. At the same time, communication is complex. Even well-intentioned responses can sometimes lead to ... Read More about Correctional Nurse Practice Update: Communication Behind the Wall: Building More Effective Interactions
Correctional Nurse Practice Update: Communication Behind the Wall: Common Pitfalls in Everyday Interactions
Communication is a central part of nursing practice. It includes not only the words we choose, but how those words are delivered in the moment. In correctional settings, nurses often have limited time for interaction, with brief exchanges occurring during medication line, sick call, chronic care ... Read More about Correctional Nurse Practice Update: Communication Behind the Wall: Common Pitfalls in Everyday Interactions
Correctional Nurse Clinical Update: Rhabdomyolysis: Nursing Assessment and Interventions
In our last post, we discussed the causes of Rhabdomyolysis and its presentation. In this post, we will discuss the the evaluation of the patient presenting with signs of rhabdomyolysis, including the subjective questions to ask and the objective assessment to perform. The classic triad of ... Read More about Correctional Nurse Clinical Update: Rhabdomyolysis: Nursing Assessment and Interventions
