postpartum cheat sheet

When you start your orientation, ask your preceptor what she uses. Our hospital requires us to use SBAR for report and we have preprinted forms that we made up (Situation, Background, Assessment, Recomendation). Your hospital may have such a form already in place. Start with what your preceptor uses if there is no official form and then look at what other coworkers use. When you've finished your orientation, you'll have a pretty good idea of what is going to work best for you. You'll probably put together an individual one with the best parts of everyone elses.

We have preprinted forms that we use at our hospital. Some of the nurses have created their own. Try how each nurse does theirs, and this will help you pick what way is best for you.

I made my own sheet that I find really helps me in getting through all the paperwork! Other nurses on my unit use it as well. I can't find a way to attach it to this message, but let me know if you would like me to email it to you. I think it would be pretty easy to edit it to your own postpartum protocol (ie frequent vitals, meds, paperwork etc...)