The Bureau of Justice reports that 15% of persons in prison and 24% of persons in jail reported having thought disturbances. Psychotic patients have lost touch with reality and have unusual thought disturbances such as hallucinations and delusions. Thus, correctional nurses are likely to provide nursing care to psychotic patients during their career. The most common psychotic disorder is schizophrenia, but patients can…
Read More
The New Scope and Standards: Correctional Nursing Practice and Roles
This post is based upon the Correctional Nursing: Scope and Standards of Practice, third edition, published by the American Nurses Association. Correctional Nurses practice in an environment where healthcare is not the primary mission. We are most often the first point of contact for incarcerated patients to access healthcare, including medical care, mental health care and health education. Correctional…
Read More
Correctional Nurse Clinical Update: Mental Health Conditions III Mood Disorders
Carrie is passing medications for the morning pill line in a large medium security state prison. One of the women shuffles to the window looking tired and ill. Carrie asks the her “How are you doing?” as she prepares her prescribed medication and the patient says she hasn’t eaten or slept since she got here 3 weeks ago because the…
Read More