Nursing student - asking for advice!

J Lynn · Aug 6, 2004

Amy, good luck tomorrow. I would grab the first willing person to practice on today, that is serious and won't make you laugh while practicing. Then I would find a babydoll to practice on. Look in your text books for a review or do a search on the net. Just my thoughts. I'm sure nurses that do this every day could help you more. You'll do just find. As long as you feel confident, so will your patient.

cherokeesummer · Aug 6, 2004

Thanks for the advice, I really appreciate it! I am studying and practicing on my HUBBY! He won't let me do a breast exam though LOL!

And I can't do a perineal exam either LOL!

But I'm reading my notes again and all that good stuff!!!!

SmilingBluEyes · Aug 6, 2004

Just stick to what they taught you and don't be nervous. You will do fine. Just remember the human beings you are doing these exams on and be VERY courteous. You are there as a priveledge, on their consent. Good luck and I hope it goes VERY well for you!

Altra, BSN, RN · Aug 13, 2004

Good luck to you, CherokeeSummer.

I'm starting my 8-week maternity rotation on Aug. 24th. I'm looking forward to it. It will be very interesting to think about my own experience as a mom and now see things "from the other side".

I find myself gravitating to the OB/GYN section of allnurses frequently now ... so much to learn from all of you! :specs:

profjanmc · Aug 15, 2004

I have been talking to other nurses about this subject, since no one discusses how to approach someone with digity and respect on an invasive exam such as a lady partsl exam. I know how I do it... I try to allow as much of the control to the patient. Lots of discussion about what we are going to do and a touch of humor (careful assessment of your patient to determine if that will be interpreted correctly). Good luck, most patients are really accepting of our many interventions!

BETSRN · Aug 15, 2004

When you do a vag exam, get used to looking at the patient's face while you examine her: in other words, make eye contact with her. It makes the entire thing a little less invasive for both of you. Put your other hand on her belly. It takes a long time to get used to (or be good at) donigf vag exams. Nowadays, we do far fewer than in the past. Sometimes, I have done labors where we don;t do moe than a couple exams througout the entire labor. They are not realy necessary.

cherokeesummer · Aug 15, 2004

Thanks for all the advice! That reallly helps me to prepare mentally for this semester!!!!

CA CoCoRN, RN · Aug 15, 2004

Do they do lady partsL exams in nursing clinicals (school clinicals)?? I thought the original poster was talking about PERINEAL inspections (presumably post delivery). When I was in school, we were more, make that VERY, hands off in the actual OB portion of the clinical. Postpartum, we did a bit more.

Maybe they've changed....maybe we are still talking about peri inspections.

Either way....good tips were given.

Another tip: don't proceed too fast when you are doing anything. You want to have a thorough inspection/examination and not have to go back and do it again. BUT, don't linger, or go to slow either. It really helps to just talk to your patient while you do the exam. Let her know what and WHY you are doing what you're doing (this will help you reiterate your exam criteria in your own learning too!!!).

NurseMeg · Aug 18, 2004

I'm a nursing student! YOu guys are awesome for being nurses! I'm reading up on this board for interesting information to go with my current class but thought I would cross post too and see if there are any special tips. My biggest thing is communication while working with a patient, especially in the more "exposed" exams!
Hi all, tomorrow we are back in clincial and do a 12 point maternal assessment. Last semester we did the head to toe assessments. We had lots of practice before clinical on each other. This time there is no practice. Saturday is maternal assessments and Sunday is newborn assessments.
Right now I just want to get the concepts down with maternal assessments and how to talk to the mom while doing the assessments i.e. breasts and perineum and lochia.
Help!
I have to be on the unit in scrubs by 0730 so we have to get there early and get scrubs on. Hope they fit! :rotfl:

Hi!

I'm a student nurse as well. I finished up my maternal/child rotation a few weeks ago. When I was assessing the mom (postpartum), I just let her know what I was doing before I did it. I.e.: "Okay, now I'm going to check your bottom"... I was nervous about doing that type of thing at first. Once you do it a few times you will become more comfortable. I've also found that if I am acting nervous, I make the patient nervous - so just do your best to be confident, calm, and professional! You'll be fine! This is a great rotation.

Meg :nurse: