Wound Care for the Correctional Nurse In the correctional environment, depending upon the population and the type of facility (jail or prison), the wounds typically seen could be acute or chronic, but all require nursing assessment, treatment and monitoring. In this class, both acute and chronic wounds will be discussed. Obtaining the wound history, conducting a…
Women’s Health Issues for the Correctional Nurse By all accounts there are more women behind bars now than in any time in US history. This phenomenon is certainly not what was intended when the movement toward gender equity gained steam in the 1970’s. Although women still constitute less than 10% of the inmate population, their…
Suicide Prevention in Corrections Incarcerated individuals are three times more likely to commit suicide that those in the community. This is due to the incarcerated populations’ demographics; their decreased ability to cope with the day-to-day stresses of incarceration; the facility’s lack of sufficient staff or staff training in suicide prevention; and the lack of access…
Laboratory Diagnostics for the Correctional Nurse Correctional nurses must obtain labs and conduct patient education regarding lab tests on a daily basis. Thus, it is very important that the nurse understands why the test is being ordered for their patient, any special preparation needed, and what the results indicate. This class is a discussion of…
Documentation for the Correctional Nurse Documentation is one of the most critical skills nurses perform, regardless of the setting in which they practice. Accurate, detailed documentation provides a clinical picture of the patient and a chronological history of their health care. Nursing documentation enables effective continuity of care for the patient. It also provides legal…
Common Mental Health Disorders for the Correctional Nurse Estimates are that nearly 67% of inmates have a serious mental illness, while over half report at least one mental condition (Bureau of Justice, 2021). Even if you are providing nursing care for a medical condition, a co-occurring mental health condition can affect the nurse-patient relationship. Mental…
Bullying and Incivility for the Correctional Nurse The American Nurses Association (ANA) and other organizations define incivility as “one or more rude, discourteous, or disrespectful actions that may or may not have a negative intent behind them.” The ANA defines bullying as “repeated, unwanted, harmful actions intended to humiliate, offend, and cause distress in the…
Anticoagulation for the Correctional Nurse In the United States today, anticoagulant therapy is prescribed for individuals who are at risk for deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism and stroke due to atrial fibrillation. Historically, and even today, most patients with a blood clotting disorder are treated with warfarin and heparin. These medications require careful monitoring, and…
Correctional Nurse Basics:The Musculoskeletal System The Musculoskeletal System is a complex network of tissues, including bones, muscles, tendons, ligaments, and joints, that work together to provide structure, support, movement, and protection to the human body. Bones are the framework of the body, providing structure, support, and protection for organs. Bones also store minerals and produce…
Human Trafficking for the MDOC Correctional Nurse According to the Department of Health and Human Services in Michigan, human trafficking affects individuals across the world, and in Michigan. It is commonly regarded as the second largest criminal enterprise after drugs. Human trafficking affects every community in Michigan across age, gender, ethnicity, and socio-economic backgrounds. The…