Didnt do so hot in NRP class...

[shortstuff31117]

I'm a new grad and start a job in mother-baby next week at a small community hospital. I took my NRP class yesterday and I feel like I didnt do that great. It took me about 2 1/2 tried to get through the mega code. I just got flustered and forgot things that I really do know. One of the other nurses was nice and pointed out that in a real code you have other people there and everyone can make suggestions, where as in NRP class you cant talk to anyone. Anyway, I studied very hard and feel like I do know the stuff, but does anyone have any tips for me on making it stick? I'm nervous about the real thing obviously.

Carrie

[purplemania, BSN, RN]

Please give yourself time for all your education to integrate into your brain. That is called "becoming" a nurse. I believe you will find it easier when you have more experience under your belt and not so many new things coming at you at once. It is not an easy course to begin with, so don't beat yourself up over it.

[NurseNora, BSN, RN]

Nothing beats real, hands on experience. Attend as many deliveries as possible. Volunteer to "catch" for all your coworkers. As you gain experience with the hands on of catching any baby, you'll not have to think so much about the stuff you routinely do and assess with all babies and can focus on what needs to be done with babies who need more help getting started.

And when you do have a baby that needs the extra help, you'll be surprized at how well the learning will come back to you when you really need it.

[SmilingBluEyes]

It's tough material, especially if you are new to it. TAKE HEART and keep trying. You can do it.

You have to STUDY and yes, hands-on experience is invaluable.

[HvnSntRN]

All of our staff have to be NRP certified, even though none of us on Mother Baby will likely ever see an actual resuscitation in our practice. I've been a NRP instructor for 3½ years, and main thing I would suggest to you is to find out how you can access the practice manikins and then practice the megacodes over and over and over whenever you have an opportunity. It's one thing to know the material inside and out, but it's another thing all together to be under the gun and have an apneic baby on the table in front of you.

Also, if you can afford it, buy your own manual and review the material frequently. Use the DVD-ROM that comes with the manual and go through at least one chapter of the manual per month.

You're right, in a real resuscitation situation, you are not going to be alone. There will be docs and other nurses there supporting what you're doing. It really is a team effort when you're doing it in real life, and it will be planned ahead of time who will be doing what task... you won't be responsible for the whole resus.

[flytern]

Couldn't agree with you more. I've been NRP certified for about 10 years. Every delivery I attend, I have that thought in the back of my mind, what would I do? Not that I want to have to go through class more often than q2years, but I sort of wish it was more often, especially since I don't use it often. You know it's one of those skills that you have to have, but hope to never use!

I do look in the book monthly, just to remember things. It's a good reminder.