Although every nursing specialty has its challenges, correctional nursing involves complex situations that can appear simple, but aren’t. There are many unknown factors in sizing up a situation. Correctional nurses are most often the first healthcare staff to review the patient complaint/situation. Thus, during patient triage, the nurse must make a fairly autonomous judgment on what needs to be done…
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CLINICAL JUDGMENT: A VITAL CORRECTIONAL NURSE COMPETENCY
Joanne has been called to the booking area to medically screen a 44 year old man brought by the police on charges of driving a stolen vehicle and drinking while driving. On the way to jail he hit his head on the window of the squad car. Approaching the area she sees an obese white male, hands cuffed behind his…
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Five Tips for Your Personal Safety
The assault and deaths of an Anamosa State Penitentiary Correctional Nurse and Correctional Officer underscore the importance of continual vigilance of personal safety by correctional nurses. The nursing profession, as a whole, is at a high risk for workplace violence and reports of patient violence in emergency rooms, mental health facilities and geriatric settings are on the rise. A survey by…
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