Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1294870
Working Nurse l WorkingNurse.com 11 October 5–November 9, 2020 Are substance use disorders and mental health issues common in this milieu? Based on specific patients and case-by- case scenarios, I believe substance abuse is relatively common. The opioid epidemic is evident, and patients undergoing with- drawal symptoms must first be screened and then monitored closely in order to ini- tiate appropriate treatment plans. As for mental health issues, it is crucial for our bedside nurses to understand the mental health system, the psychological undercurrents that may affect how patients behave, and when to request a psychiatric consultation. How do patients' personal stories differ from those of patients in the general population? Are they difficult to hear? Every patient is admitted with a different background story. As nurses, we are trained to tune into their stories and take care of our patients using a holistic approach. Just like with any other patient, nurses are responsible for advocating for the patients, regardless of their circumstances. Regarding COVID-19, how have you and your colleagues respond- ed, and how much concern do your patients express about the virus? The COVID-19 pandemic has definitely changed healthcare settings forever, ours included. Nurses and essential workers all over the world have become more united than ever. My colleagues and I treat one another like brothers and sisters. We always have a "Let's do it" mentality and help each other every step of the way. Symptomatic patients who are admitted through our emergency department are isolated from the minute they are diag- nosed and continue to be isolated before they transfer to the floors. These patients are kept in private contact-isolated rooms until they complete their course of treat- ment. As for patients being discharged back to the jail facilities, the nursing staff from our facility communicates with the nurses at the jail facilities so that ongoing isolation and treatment plans can be implemented for patients and for the safety of the other inmates and staff. The concerns our patients express are mostly fears of the unknown regarding the virus. Therefore, communication and edu- cation are key to making sure their con- cerns are addressed. How similar is the nurse-patient relationship in this setting in com- parison to the general healthcare system? What are the main differ- ences? Correctional nurses have a different kind of compassion, knowledge and skill set when it comes to taking care of patients in these settings. We treat everyone with respect and dignity, but we always have to consider our surroundings very carefully and think about the approaches we can take to prioritize our safety as well as the safety of other patients on the floor. There are definitely times when a nurse can feel overwhelmed, and it's important to know when to involve the sheriff's deputies. We always strictly abide by our policies and rules, which helps to prevent things from getting out of hand. On average, how long might you have to get to know a patient who needs nursing care for a chronic condition? We have patients admitted for many acute and critical conditions. On average, the turnaround times range from about two to three days to a week. However, we've had patients who've been admitted for chronic and end-of-life conditions who have stayed with us for more than a year. What kind of security clearance and background checks are needed to work as a nurse in a county jail? The security clearance and background checks are generalized, like any other spe- cialty in the county hospital. All county employees of ARMC undergo a strict back- ground check before being hired. What personal and professional characteristics and skills would you recommend for nurses consid- ering this specialty? Nurses who are unbiased, who can abide by strict nursing and correctional rules/guidelines and who can also focus solely on the patient's medical status will make good candidates for correctional nursing. I always encourage new nurses to never lose sight of their passion and to always keep in mind the main reasons they became a nurse. On your most stressful day, just remember that these patients are ill and they need you now more than ever. Prioritize safety and always take care of yourself first — that is how you can take care of others. What goals do you have for your nursing career? I wish to pursue further opportunities to develop leadership and mentorship skills within the nursing profession. ____________________________________ Keith Carlson, RN, BSN, CPC, NC-BC, has worked as a nurse since 1996 and has maintained the popular nursing blog Digital Doorway since 2005. He offers expert professional coaching for nurses and nursing students at www.nursekeith.com. WN