Competent and appropriately credentialed healthcare staff, including ancillary staff, nurses, mental health staff, and providers, are the mainstay of a safe health care program, inside and outside the walls. An essential element is the confirmation of credentials at the start of employment, followed by an initial evaluation of competence; an appropriate orientation, including those areas identified as needing support; and…
Read More
The New Scope and Standards: Correctional Nursing Certification
This post is based on the Correctional Nursing: Scope and Standards of Practice, third edition, published by the American Nurses Association, the National Commission on Correctional Health Care website and the American Correctional Association website. Did you know that Correctional Nurses have the ability to become certified in our specialty? Continuing our review of Correctional Nursing: Scope and Standards of…
Read More
Correctional Nurse Clinical Update: Asthma II: Nursing Assessment and Patient Education
Nursing Assessment of the Asthma Patient The assessment of a patient with asthma should begin with baseline vital signs, including a pulse oximetry reading. The patient’s lungs should be auscultated, and notation should be made of the patient’s skin color, temperature and moisture. A basic physical examination will also include auscultation of the heart and an abdominal assessment. A baseline peak…
Read More