Benzodiazepines have a calming effect and are often taken to reduce anxiety or to help sleep. The correctional patient population is less likely to frequent the health care system for these conditions and may obtain relief by self-medicating using street drugs. Asking questions about treatments used for anxiety or insomnia may reveal a need for benzodiazepine withdrawal monitoring.
I recently participated in a webinar for the American Correctional Nurses Association about the role of the Correctional Nurse and how we can use our Correctional Nursing: Scope and Standards of Practice as foundational to our practice. In preparation, I reviewed the section about guiding principles for Correctional Nurses. I believe these principles are hidden gems in our book, and wanted…
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Sometimes, when individuals go through difficult times, they forget that there are many things in their life for which they should be thankful. Research has shown that healthcare workers who embraced gratitude by writing down the things for which they were grateful twice a week had a reduction in perceived stress and depression. In general, individuals who identified as grateful…
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