I really had plans to update my blog throughout orientation but as life typically goes, time flies by. Between a new job and going to school, working on my BSN, there is never enough time for a lot of things. I wanted to post while I was on orientation about how much I was learning, but that just didn't happen. After my last post, I finally was in L&D.
Just to give you an idea, as a labor & delivery nurse, you have to be trained in several different areas. The first area I learned about was the perioperative area. This section is typically for those patients having a c-section. This area, you get the patient ready for surgery; then if necessary accompany the patient to the operating room to provide care for baby upon delivery; afterwards you recover the patient until they go to the post-partum floor. Oh, speaking of post-partum, I am no longer an LDRP nurse but a L&D nurse. I was able to swap positions with another nurse who was new to the unit. I am very thankful for that as I truly love being in L&D.
After the peri-op area I finally got to L&D and actually laboring moms! I was so excited (and still am)! Little by little I learned more and more. I spent most of the next five weeks in L&D, in addition to classes for the very many things that happen during the delivery, the possible complications that can happen and how to be prepared and best available to help the doctor or midwife provide the best chance for survival. I think one of the hardest things I've had to learn is interpreting the fetal heart monitoring strips.
Following some time in L&D, I then spent a week in the high-risk area. This was my most troubling week as trying to keep teeny tiny babies on continuous monitoring was very difficult. I have gotten a bit better with that, thankfully. The following week I was on the slightly lesser high risk area where most of the moms will stay until they deliver their high risk pregnancy if needed.
My second to last week of orientation I spent learning to circulate in the operating room. This was quite stressful at first, making sure not to get to close to a sterile field, making sure not to touch something I shouldn't and keeping up with all the documentation from the moment the patient enters the operating room until they leave for the post op area. By the end of the week, I was getting in the grove and really enjoyed it. Working straight midnight though, I don't think I will get much opportunity to circulate as we don't schedule surgery for those hours. Any section called at that hour is typically a STAT or urgent c-section.
I finished up orientation with two days in L&D and one in high risk. Then I was done! Oh, in between all of this, I had to become NRP (neonatal resuscitation program) certified. This was nerve wrecking initially but the more I learned and thankful for our hands on certification I felt better qualified if and when the time comes that I need to use these skills.
So, I am now off orientation. I just finished up my first week on my 'own'. Thankfully, it is not often that you are 'alone' as there is typically always someone close by if you need help. So this week, I worked two 12 hour shifts and two eight hour shifts, all midnight since that is my official schedule. My first night, was a 12 hour. I arrived, nervous, scared, worried what was going to come my way. Thankful for the amazing nurses I work with, when I had a slight issue in programming the IV pump after delivery, another nurse was by my side to give me a hand. Instantly as she was doing it, I realized what I was doing. That shift started with a delivery within a few minutes of starting.
Then I was given my own first patient. All my own!!! Oh goodness, I quickly prepared the room as my patient was on their way up. Thankfully the nurse who accompanied my patient to me, helped me get my patient settled. Soon, I was on my own and my patient and I had a pretty quiet shift. Baby cooperated with staying on the monitor and my patient rested while possible. I always encourage my patients to rest while they can as labor is hard work and they will need their energy for that. I thought that I was home free as it was almost end of shift and my patient was still resting. When all of a sudden it was TIME! Healthy baby born! Oh my gosh, I am not sure I will ever get tired of watching this amazing experience.
Each night I've gone to work, I pray as the elevator takes me to my floor for God to please be with me, guide and direct my decisions and to offer my patients the best care possible. I also pray for those patients I will come in contact with.
It is the end of my first week on my own. I saw six babies born this week. Two of those were in the operating room where I was able to circulate. I was so excited to get the chance to do that so quickly after getting off orientation. Each night I am a little less nervous as I prepare to go to work. I am good once I start my shift, just nervous as I am driving in.
Just to give you an idea, as a labor & delivery nurse, you have to be trained in several different areas. The first area I learned about was the perioperative area. This section is typically for those patients having a c-section. This area, you get the patient ready for surgery; then if necessary accompany the patient to the operating room to provide care for baby upon delivery; afterwards you recover the patient until they go to the post-partum floor. Oh, speaking of post-partum, I am no longer an LDRP nurse but a L&D nurse. I was able to swap positions with another nurse who was new to the unit. I am very thankful for that as I truly love being in L&D.
After the peri-op area I finally got to L&D and actually laboring moms! I was so excited (and still am)! Little by little I learned more and more. I spent most of the next five weeks in L&D, in addition to classes for the very many things that happen during the delivery, the possible complications that can happen and how to be prepared and best available to help the doctor or midwife provide the best chance for survival. I think one of the hardest things I've had to learn is interpreting the fetal heart monitoring strips.
Following some time in L&D, I then spent a week in the high-risk area. This was my most troubling week as trying to keep teeny tiny babies on continuous monitoring was very difficult. I have gotten a bit better with that, thankfully. The following week I was on the slightly lesser high risk area where most of the moms will stay until they deliver their high risk pregnancy if needed.
My second to last week of orientation I spent learning to circulate in the operating room. This was quite stressful at first, making sure not to get to close to a sterile field, making sure not to touch something I shouldn't and keeping up with all the documentation from the moment the patient enters the operating room until they leave for the post op area. By the end of the week, I was getting in the grove and really enjoyed it. Working straight midnight though, I don't think I will get much opportunity to circulate as we don't schedule surgery for those hours. Any section called at that hour is typically a STAT or urgent c-section.
I finished up orientation with two days in L&D and one in high risk. Then I was done! Oh, in between all of this, I had to become NRP (neonatal resuscitation program) certified. This was nerve wrecking initially but the more I learned and thankful for our hands on certification I felt better qualified if and when the time comes that I need to use these skills.
So, I am now off orientation. I just finished up my first week on my 'own'. Thankfully, it is not often that you are 'alone' as there is typically always someone close by if you need help. So this week, I worked two 12 hour shifts and two eight hour shifts, all midnight since that is my official schedule. My first night, was a 12 hour. I arrived, nervous, scared, worried what was going to come my way. Thankful for the amazing nurses I work with, when I had a slight issue in programming the IV pump after delivery, another nurse was by my side to give me a hand. Instantly as she was doing it, I realized what I was doing. That shift started with a delivery within a few minutes of starting.
Then I was given my own first patient. All my own!!! Oh goodness, I quickly prepared the room as my patient was on their way up. Thankfully the nurse who accompanied my patient to me, helped me get my patient settled. Soon, I was on my own and my patient and I had a pretty quiet shift. Baby cooperated with staying on the monitor and my patient rested while possible. I always encourage my patients to rest while they can as labor is hard work and they will need their energy for that. I thought that I was home free as it was almost end of shift and my patient was still resting. When all of a sudden it was TIME! Healthy baby born! Oh my gosh, I am not sure I will ever get tired of watching this amazing experience.
Each night I've gone to work, I pray as the elevator takes me to my floor for God to please be with me, guide and direct my decisions and to offer my patients the best care possible. I also pray for those patients I will come in contact with.
It is the end of my first week on my own. I saw six babies born this week. Two of those were in the operating room where I was able to circulate. I was so excited to get the chance to do that so quickly after getting off orientation. Each night I am a little less nervous as I prepare to go to work. I am good once I start my shift, just nervous as I am driving in.
