Thank you to postpartum preceptors!!

[busymommy]

I was given a preceptorship in postpartum, which is where I'd like to devote my career. It is unheard of to get this kind of placement at my college (major med-surg focus), and I have to say that my preceptor is just fantastic! For all of you who agree to precept almost-new-grads, thank you, thank you, thank you!! We so appreciate all you have to teach, share, etc. Mine has been so wonderful at teaching little extras that you don't learn in nursing school, and for those of you who work in this specialty, thank you for being such a great example to emulate :-)

I am learning so much, even after 2 shifts, and I have definitely found my niche. I never watch the clock and when I happen to notice that my shift is ending soon, say 1700 hrs, I think "What else can I do?" rather than "Oh my gosh, will this day never end???"

I brushed up on neonate & postpartum assessments, and that's helping me. What I've noticed is that I tend to be a "helicopter nurse" because I feel like I should be checking on my patients at least once an hour. But, they generally have had zero birth complications, only need pain meds, and my shift assessments haven't revealed anything unusual.

I hope to join the ranks of the newly licensed postpartum RNs in February, after I pass NCLEX the first time!! Just had to give a shout-out to those who've been in the trenches. We students are watching you and you're doing a great job!

~busymommy

[PinkNBlue, BSN, RN]

Awesome, good for you!! Best of luck on NCLEX and your future in nursing :-)

[busymommy]

Thanks, PinkNBlue. I'm having a wonderful time on my unit, learning more every day, and there's great rapport among the PP nursing staff. I think working three 12s back-to-back was a good test of my stamina, and I made it! For sure I will need new, better shoes, but it wasn't nearly as difficult as I anticipated. Fingers crossed this will turn into a job come February :-)