I am trying to remember the first time I came across the advice to be firm, fair, and consistent with inmate patients. It may have been during my orientation for my first position in corrections. While the terms are used in correctional officer, manager, and education literature, I have not seen ... Read More about The Three Golden Principles for Dealing with Inmates
The Correctional Nurse
Complacency: The Lurking Enemy
The day shift nurse leaves the medication room door unlocked so she can get to the staff break room or the nurse's station quickly. The evening shift nurse pre-pours all her medications for segregation rounds, even narcotics, although she takes the medication cart with her. The sick call nurse ... Read More about Complacency: The Lurking Enemy
Take Three Minutes to Learn About Organizational Culture
I have been in a number of jails and prisons as a health care consultant and, although the various environments may look similar, they can feel very different – even among prisons within the same system. Some settings seem to bristle with tension while others seem almost like working in a family ... Read More about Take Three Minutes to Learn About Organizational Culture
How to Limit Drug Diversion in Your Facility
Guest post by Sherley Alaba: As a correctional nurse, you’ll likely experience times where prisoners seek specific medications for their own uses. Many prescription drugs are of great value in the prison economy. Also, plenty in the incarcerated population have issues with substance abuse. When ... Read More about How to Limit Drug Diversion in Your Facility
New Code of Ethics for Nurses: Conflict of Interest for Correctional Nurses
Jan is the only nurse working in a medium security rural prison. The warden runs a tight ship and is especially concerned with contraband. The prison system Medical Director agrees and is very careful with the types of medication prescribed to inmates, especially psychotropics. When inmates are ... Read More about New Code of Ethics for Nurses: Conflict of Interest for Correctional Nurses