I LOVE MY JOB

I finished up my orientation on the postpartum unit, for my friends not familiar with that term, it is what we called the maternity unit when our kids were born. I accomplished a lot in those few weeks. I've learned there is no 'down' time as moms give birth at all hours of the day and night so admissions to the unit are happening all the time. My old unit, we would complain when we had a discharge and admission in one day. My last week on the unit, I had three discharges in one day (at all various times) and an admission. I have learned how to assess a mom who has just given birth, a baby just a few hours old, given baths to those new babies, injections to both moms and babies and more things than I can remember at the moment. When staffing permits we even get to cuddle on those new babies.

Last week, I spent time with the 'baby nurse'. We have one nurse who does her best to be at as many deliveries as possible, especially ones when there may be problems. She is amazing! I learned so much from her in the three days we spent together. I would love to spend more time with her. I was in the delivery of so many babies those few days it was amazing! Some very tiny ones and some larger ones and a few times there were TWINS! Now that can be scary when you have two babies coming in a short time.

This week, I've moved to the Pre and Post Op area! This is where moms who are schedule for c-sections come before and immediately after their surgery. We also get those who have been unsuccessful delivering vaginally after they have had surgery. They stay in the post op area for some time before transferring to the postpartum unit. 

I saw my second version today. This is a procedure where the doctor or midwife attempts to turn the baby, externally, who is not in the proper position for delivery. Both versions I have witnessed were successful, but according to reports, they are often not. I started my first IV today! It was with quite a bit of assistance from my preceptor but I was so excited. Hopefully, I will get some more chances in the new few days.

Tomorrow, I will be attending an all day workshop on "Introduction to Maternity" for all recent hires and later this week, I have another all day workshop on Perinatal Loss. Christiana has an amazing support group for those who have suffered a loss. I hope that I will be able to use my own knowledge to one day help other families go through something no one should ever have to do.

This weekend, I will be moving to the L&D unit and I'm very excited for that! So much more information to learn but I am very eager to learn it all!

LDRP - MY NEW JOURNEY

I haven't posted anything on social media since I started my new job. I thought it was time to update my friends. I showed up day one for orientation. As our SDS (Staff Development Specialist) was welcoming the five of us she passed out binders. Each binder was blue with Labor & Delivery on it. When she handed me my pink binder, she mentioned mine was different since I was the new LDRP person. THE WHAT?!?! Labor, Delivery, Recovery, Postpartum nurse!

I was a bit confused since I had no idea I was not just L&D. I had been selected for a new position (there were only five currently, so I would be the sixth). This position is the best of both worlds. I get to learn both labor & delivery and postpartum care. I'll tell you, I was initially a little disappointed. I wasn't sure I wanted to be in postpartum. I was bummed the next day when the other gals were starting in the pre or post ob area, the newborn assessment and the L&D unit and I was going to another unit all together. 

Well, as typical, God had this planned out! Why do I doubt him? I have taken very well to the postpartum unit but have dealt mostly with the moms. Today I was in L&D and the OR for quite a few births with the Baby Nurse doing newborn assessments! I had a blast! In addition to this, I was able to finally attend IV class! I am now permitted to start IV's (this is something I've wanted to know how to do for so long).

I met with my manager today to discuss my position as I was sure I should be in L&D and not postpartum. She assured me that this position was what she felt I would be best at with my "wonderful positive personality". Even though I was disappointed the other day when I was on the postpartum unit, I even told my nurse I was working with my faith is strong and I believe God has me where I am supposed to be. My manager gave me the decision; I could switch over to straight L&D or continue with the LDRP position. 

Well, God put me where I should be. I am actually looking forward to going back to the postpartum unit tomorrow feeling a bit more confident in my assessment of these tiny patients who can't tell me anything. As you can tell, I have decided to continue with the LDRP position.

THE NEXT PATH IN THIS JOURNEY

A few updates since my last post ~ after Aubre passed her boards in June, she enjoyed her summer, went to Firefly, enjoyed time geocaching and lots of running with friends. She applied for positions here and there, but was not getting any real response. Mid August while working at Stonegates, where she's been employed for more than nine years, as a hostess, server, dietary aide and bartender, she was approached by the head of nursing. She was offered a part time position starting right away! During her short orientation, she was offered a full time position! Praise the Lord! Aubre is working full time as a registered nurse!!!  

As for me, earlier this summer, I noticed an opening on the labor and delivery unit. There are very few positions ever posted for this unit. I had talked myself out of applying before but since I had recently had to update my resume for my profile, for my promotion to RNII, I thought, why not? I might as well give it a shot, what can it hurt. So I submitted my resume for the position. Time went by and I assumed I didn't get a consideration. I was surprised when I did get an email for an online assessment. 109 questions!!!! Some were crazy questions. I completed the assessment and then again figured, nothing. I was SHOCKED when I got an email asking me to come in for an interview! Me, the gal with no real L&D experience, other than my clinical experience during nursing school. The day of my interview, I let my current manager know that I was interviewing for a position. I felt she deserved to know and I wasn't sure if or when they might contact her for a reference, IF, I even got that far along. I interviewed with the nurse manager and assistant manager. I was so nervous, praying so hard to keep it together. I was asked that day if I would like to shadow on the L&D unit. Of course, I said YES!

A week later, I shadowed an experienced L&D nurse and had the opportunity to see an actual birth! The true miracle! I was in awe and left that day truly feeling this is what I want to do! It was WAIT time again, and I waited and waited. Each friend who did  know about my application kept telling me no news was good news, but I just wanted to know.

On August 29th, I got the called I had been waiting for! I was offered a full time position in the Labor & Delivery unit!!!! I am so excited for this next journey and looking forward to learning so much more. I am nervous of course and a little sad to leave the only 'home' I have had since starting to work in the hospital. They are my family there. I will miss them, but am truly excited for this path. 

I will be starting in a couple of weeks and cannot wait! I am certain I will update this blog along the way!

A BRAND NEW NURSE

It's been so long since I've updated and wanted to share some things going on. Our daughter Aubre graduated nursing school last month and passed the NCLEX this week. She is now officially an RN!!!! So excited and happy for her. This was Aubre at her Pinning Ceremony.

Both Aubre and Tyler graduated from Delaware Technical Community College last month (Tyler, like myself finished in December and had to wait for the only ceremony). The two graduates!

In other news on my Nursing Journey, so much has happened but I've just not been keeping up with my blog. My manager asked me to represent our group on the hospital wide Nursing Technology Council. I attend monthly meetings about the upcoming changes to hospital computer programs and new programs being rolled out. It's been great to be on the front end of this. It has enabled me to now help others on our unit (and throughout my hospital) with MAJOR changes that occurred this past week. Some people do not like change. Our unit had been the pilot of electronic documentation for our hospital system. We have not used hardly any paper forms since I started working there. While other units throughout were using flow charts, we documented all assessments, rounding, meds, vitals, virtually everything electronically. Even through we've been doing this, the new system that rolled out this week affected everyone, including our unit.  So there is lots of learning going on. I love that I love computers and can help others.

In addition to this, I started back to school, working on my BSN at Wilmington University. I took Statistics my first semester. I thought since I liked math I would start with this; not really a good reason. I did fine, passing with an A but am glad that is over. While deciding to go back to school, I decided to also work on a Health Information Technology Certificate in addition to my Bachelors. 

Last week, I was promoted to an RNII position (not a 'real' promotion) but part of our clinical ladder. I am no longer a 'new' nurse but one with 'experience'. I know that I will always have more experienced nurses on our unit to go to if I have a question or something I'm unsure of. I went from my light green hang tag to this dark green one! I was so excited.

Once again, I am working to raise money in the fight against breast cancer. I would love to walk Philly this year but have struggled to raise the necessary funds. I will continue to train others to walk and if I am unable, I will crew on the medical team again.If you can help me, please go to www.the3day.org/goto/pjstevens