[SmilingBluEyes]

For the benefit of new nurses and future/prospective OB/GYN nurses and doulas, midwives, others, thought I would try a sticky that discusses various duties/skills sets and other characteristics that make a "good", well-rounded OB nurse, doula, midwife or other professional dealing with Women's Health Issues. This question seems to come up now and again, so let's help em out.

I will start. Here are skills sets for OB nurses that I found apply in most areas. Again feel free to add to this; I want to learn as well!

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OBSTETRICAL ASSESSMENT SKILLS
Inbound facility tranfer unit
Outbound transfer to other facility
Identify fetal position (Leopold maneuvers)
Fetal heart tones
Severity of contractions
Vaginal exam, dilitation & effacement
Vaginal exam, station & presentation
Vaginal exam, culture collection

CLINICAL SKILLS
Set up tocotransducer
Intrauterine pressure catheter
Auscultate fetal heart tones
Intact/nonintact membranes
Nitrazine test
Internal fetal monitor
Interpreting normal/abnormal fetal heart patterns
Baseline interpretation
Early decelerations
Beat to beat variability
Late decelerations
Prolonged decelerations
Set up OB pack
Set up baby pack
Cord blood collection
Artificial rupture of membranes

COMPLICATIONS/FURTHER DUTIES
Pregnancy Induced Hypertension
Antihypertensives
Clonus
Diabetes
Abruptio placenta
Placenta previa
Prolapsed cord
Preeclampsia
Eclampsia
Malpresentation
Premature rupture of the membranes
Premature labor
Magnesium sulfate
Drug dependent
RH incompatibility
Herpes
HIV
HBV
Hemorrhage
Blood transfusion
Forceps delivery
Vacuum extraction
Precipitous delivery
Gestational Diabetes/Diabetes and its sequalae
Starting IV's
Cesarean section-circulate
Cesarean section-scrub
Central line placement, set up & assist
Epidural, set up & assist
Spinal, set up & assist
Local, set up & assist
Foley catheter placement
Pain control, narcotic
Intrathecal medication delivery
Episiotomy, set up & assist
Uterine massage
Lochia assessment
DVT
Induction of labor
Cytotec
Prostaglandin supp
Oxytocin infusion

PATIENT TEACHING
Relaxation/breathing techniques
Premature labor prevention
Phone triage



Also:
Labor coaching/support for birthing mother/family
Neonatal assessment/resuscitation as needed
Breastfeeding initiation/support/ongoing teaching
Self-care and baby care once you go home
Care of any surgical wounds/therapies
After-care telephone triage (answering questions once a new family has gone home)

[SmilingBluEyes]

Doulas, midwives, nursing students and other professionals, please feel free to add commentary and suggestions!

[SuperFlyRN]

I cannot even think of anything to add-that is a *very* comprehensive list-but I will think....(my lady is currently laboring down and I am on a break )

[SmilingBluEyes]

well if you do, please feel free to add!

[Spidey's mom]

Wow, we do alot. Impressive list Deb.

We don't circulate or scrub though. We are the baby nurse however.

steph

[RaeT,RN]

I thought of one:

ADVOCATE FOR THE PATIENT. It is ultimately her delivery.

[ragingmomster]

Under the heading of advocate, how about a subcategory of Martyr? Early on in labor I offer myself as the proverbial lamb to the slaughter.

IE> I find a moment to talk to the mom alone to ask her specifically if there is a family dynamic I should be aware of and offer to throw myself under the bus if intervention is needed. Pushy grandparents to be, "friends" who arrive to observe the miracle, etc.

[ragingmomster]

Oh, Oh, two more, Research-not a week goes by that I am not looking for more info; and Delivery of infants- not that I wanted to, but without an MD in the room, it happens.

[texas-rn-fnp]

I hear you on delivery. In my current job I deliver because I volunteer and most doctors are more than happy to accommodate, but in a previous hospital that I was moonlighting at, the doctors would typically not arrive for delivery, especially after hours, due to several reasons, . 1)since it was downtown, most doctor's homes were at least 30 minutes or more away from hospital. 2)it was not safe to travel to this location after dark. 3)most patients were multiparous so lots of times they didn't have time, even if they wanted to,unless they stayed at hospital (which they didn't).

Add to list of duties: train and supervise interns, coordinator of multidiscilpinary care.

[texas-rn-fnp]

Forgot to add: train and keep an eye on family practice interns, residents, and staff.