blood pressure reading

[pclintonrn]

Just started a new job as a Public Health Nurse doing visits with women who are pregnant and I visit them up until the child turns 6 months old. I am very stressed out. This is my first time working in this field as I have previously worked in Telemetry and Psych. But, once I get the job down packed, I know I will enjoy it. I am now having to review Maternal Child Nursing and learn all the procedures, charting, computer system, and policies of my new job. It is good stress, but still stress. There are all women who work in my department who gossips and watch each others every move, including the secretary who runs in the supervisor's office and tell whatever she sees. She has also made a comment about me stating that she doesn't know if they shouldve hired. The nurse who is training me always keep me in awe with all the knowledge she possesses. She even teaches prenatal and childbirth classes. This is very intimidating to me and I am nervous when she watches me doing visits and assessments. I find my hands trembling. Anyway, I am having difficulty when taking blood pressures. I don't know if I'm nervous or I'm just losing my mind. I can always hear the systolic beat fine, but cannot tell when the diastolic stops, I swear I can hear last beats stop below 50. Is it just me or is there a technique to this. I don't remember having this problem before.

[morte, LPN, LVN]

perhaps the pressure is actually that low? or are you the only person getting that kind of reading? Have you tried an elect. BP for comparison? Good luck.