[NursesRock83]

Hiya!

I'm in an LPN program & I will be starting a 7 week OB rotation at a local hospital for clinicals. They say it's going to be more observation then anything. I just finished clinicals in the nursing home, so it's going to be a BIG change I'm sure. Anything you can suggest I have on hand, always in my pockets, experiences, anything at all to prepare me would be helpful!!

Thanks!!

[NurseBranch]

Hello,
I am doing my OB rotation now and I wouls say be prepared to know the different standards of vitals signs for the newborn and also about fetal heart tones. I don't know if you have had an OB lecture yet, but these nurses assume you have some knowledge, so if you are not really proficent in this area, just do a little review, because you are taking care of two pts, not just one.
Hope this helps! Good Luck and have fun!
Christy Branch

[dansmom6]

I teach OB part-time for an RN program here in Ohio. I hope you find your experience exciting & full of learning opportunities.

Hopefully, you will be able to see a vag & C/Section delivery!! However, I would guess that most of your time will be spent in PP & Nursery, because that's where LPN's are utilized most often.

Tips...take a little notepad in your pocket & write down anything you have questions about (during report, listening to other nurses talk to each other, assessments, etc). Then, when there is time, look things up. You could always ask your instructor or staff (if they're approachable).

Also, go in with a non-judgemental attitude. In my experience, I've noticed OB has a very diverse client base (culturally, socioeconomic, etc...).

One more thing...remember to speak to your patient in their terms. In school, we try to be so professional and proper that sometimes our patients don't understand what the heck we're saying. Kind of defeats the purpose of good communication...pet peeve...don't ask them if they're burning when they void...urinate is fine...heck, pee is ok too, esp. if they're young, or if you feel like they're "not getting" other questions! If you tell them you're going to assess their perineum, they'll probably look at you like you have a third eyeball growing on your forehead..

Hope all goes well for you!!!!!

[heaverboo]

I just did my OB rotation. It was mostly observation only. We would rotate from postpartum, to the nursery to labor and delivery. Labor and delivery we would just stand back and watch. For us, the nurses would let us help interpret strips (such as when the patient is having a contraction, accelerations, decel's etc...). We would help with vital signs. When the patient was having a contraction the nurse would let you feel the patient's stomach so you would know what a contraction felt like (their stomach get's rock hard). As far as the nursery..we would do a newborn assessment and help with vitals. Postpartum..we did a postpartum assessment.

As far as what to tell you to know: know accel's and decels, variability, newborn vital signs, postpartum assessment (BUBBLE-HE)...that's basically it!

I LOVED OB! I was amazing! I saw 2 vaginal births and 2 c-sections! Have fun!

[NewRN2008]

I always thought i wanted to do OB, now i know i do. I loved my rotation, only a few days, but got to do lots. Saw a vag and a c/sec within 1 hour of eachother. but that wasnt even the best part, get this!!!!---they had a new pt come up to be induced and she was in early labor. well i caught up with that nurse before she went in to see the pt, and i asked if i could follow her. (BTW- do that on every floor and in every situation, as long as YOUR stuff is done. i have seen more this way becuz i speak up!) anyhow. introded myself to the pt and hubby as we went in. the nurse said they were going to have to check her once before we left for the day. so as we walked out i asked if i could check her too. Longshot right? NO!!! i asked my nurse, she said ask my instructor, and both said hell yeah!! i asked the pt, explaining that i have not done this, except in class on fake crappy plastic vag's. She said no problem!! that was one of THE BEST experiences i have had in school to date!!
Moral of the story: always tag along, and always ask to do something.
just enjoy your experience, do as much as you can being at that level in school.
GL!!!
-H-

[dilleweed]

Originally Posted by somedayrn2008

i asked the pt, explaining that i have not done this, except in class on fake crappy plastic vag's.
-H-

'fake crappy plastic vaginas'!! That's a phrase I never thought I'd hear!!

[NewRN2008]

Lmao, didnt even think about that when i wrote it! lol...THANKS!! hahahah

-H-