Hello, everybody! I am a clinical nursing instructor for an LPN program. Starting in July, I will be instructing students in ob/gyn. It has been years since I did post-partum assessments. I plan to work on the ob/gyn floor before I start clinicals.

Any advice/tips would be most appreciated!

Lyn

I'm sure you will pick up the skills when you work the floor.

Our assessments include breasts, nipples, fundal height, amt of rubra flow, any clots, incisions from C/Sec, voiding pattern, bowel sounds (flatus), epis or laceration repair, and Homen's.

Care plan involves pain assessment, knowlege deficit, discharge planning, potential for infection/injury, alteration in tissue perfusion, alteration in nutrition (breastfeeding moms), alteration in urination and bowel pattern (includes Foleys), anxiety, etc.

Hope this helps some.

Thanks! That will be very helpful.

Lyn

I would try to spend a shift or two shadowing a nurse in both L&D as well as in postpartum/nursery, just to get a feel for the unit and let the nurses know who you are, as well as get to know them. Also, get some copies of their charting forms, standing orders, discharge papers, etc...so that you can study up and be familiar and be ready to help the students when they have questions. Xerox a sample chart that you completed as a handout for the students to have as a reference. That will save you alot of time.

Find out about report, what time it starts, where to be, what is expected from the students. Get the "dos and don'ts" of the unit, the unwritten and written rules of the unit. Ask the hospital's nursing education department about what they need from you (clinical lists with names and rotation dates, do they need to attend a hospital computer class?). Talk with the nurse manager and unit CNS to see if there is anythign special to convey to the students. If you make these two folks your allies, the cips will fall into place for you.

Find out what the procedure is for students to be in the room for a birth. I would recommend asking the patient well in advance of her being in the stirrups and pushing, as they need to develop some type of relationship before baring all to a near stranger in a student uniform. Find out about how c-sections are scheduled and how a student can be in the room for that as well.

Hope this stuff helps!

STG