Anxiety in the DR

suzanne4, RN · Mar 15, 2005

Many nurses still get the jitters also, you are definitely not alone. If they weren't expecting problems, then you wouldn't even be there.........

Knowing that you are doing the best that you can do is the best thing.

Just remember that it is usually our anxiety that gets us thru these challenging times.

Gompers, BSN, RN · Mar 15, 2005

Just remember, you have eight years of NICU experience and your NRP certification. It's normal to be anxious, because like Suzanne4 said above, you wouldn't be there in the DR if they didn't expect any problems! Hopefully you have a good team with you when you are in the DR. My hospital sends a nurse, a NICU RT, and at least one doc. Just work together and make sure everyone knows their responsibilities. I still get nervous every time I go for a delivery, especially full term fetal depressions and meconiums, because they scare the heck out of me.

But you can shock the heck out of yourself sometimes. I once went for a call to the ER, where parametics had brought in a preterm baby born at home, who was freezing and coding when we got there. I couldn't believe how collected I was - at one point the ER doc was about to put in an IO for IV access and I suggested a UVC instead, and handed him one. He was like, "Much better idea, much faster, easier - thank you" and in it went. My hands barely shook as I pushed meds through that line, one after another. My voice didn't waver as I told the ER nurses to hand me this or that. It was like a complete trauma scene - I was pushing emergency-release blood, everything. And we did successfully rescussitate that baby.

The weirdest part was that the DAY BEFORE this happened, I had my 2-year NRP renewel course. It was like the NRP "megacode" times a hundred! But I was able to use my adrenaline in a good way, because I told myself that I knew what I was doing, I'd been doing it all in the NICU for years - it was just all happening a lot faster than usual.

Remind yourself of all the deliveries you've attended where you've helped save a baby's life. You can do this, and while it's natural to be nervous, remember that you have the training and experience to rise to the occasion. Good luck!

USA987, MSN, RN, NP · Mar 15, 2005

I'm a L&D nurse....and I still feel that way with every delivery. Thank goodness, to date, I've only had to bag a baby and not do chest compressions. Unfortunately, we can't predict every time a baby is going to be "bad" at delivery...if we could we'd always have you and a ped there!!!!

I just wanted to say THANK YOU for being there. We appreciate the NICU's back-up more than you'll ever know!! :flowersfo

kc2004 · Mar 16, 2005

I'm a L&D nurse....and I still feel that way with every delivery. Thank goodness, to date, I've only had to bag a baby and not do PPV. Unfortunately, we can't predict every time a baby is going to be "bad" at delivery...if we could we'd always have you and a ped there!!!!
I just wanted to say THANK YOU for being there. We appreciate the NICU's back-up more than you'll ever know!! :flowersfo

bagging a baby and doing ppv is the same thing.

Do you mean chest compressions?

MsJessikia · Mar 17, 2005

ive only been on my own for a few months now and I got called to a delivery (we were short staffed) and i about had a heart attack. Ive never shaken so bad in my life, and i was only tearing tape!!! i felt like an idiot but the parents said everyone seemed so calm (thank god they could only see my back!) im glad even experienced nurses still get a lil nervous. :uhoh21:

USA987, MSN, RN, NP · Mar 18, 2005

bagging a baby and doing ppv is the same thing.
Do you mean chest compressions?

OOPPPSS! Yes! Silly me...I've had a sick kiddo at home the last few days and not getting enough sleep! I've heard that sleep it overrated anyway!!!! I've corrected my post.

Thanks