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Discussion

Ending your shift in the middle of a delivery

I hope to become an L&D nurse in the future and I was wondering how you leave a laboring or delivering mother when your shift ends, but you're in the thick of it?

I assume that many hospitals (like other businesses) may have strict policies about not working overtime without permission and they require that you clock out on time. I also imagine there could be major liability issues for continuing to help a patient off the clock and possibly if you're on the clock but working past your shift ending time.

How do you leave a woman when you're in the middle of helping her push, getting her baby cleaned up, or some other intense and important moment? Watching the clock and then saying "Sorry, my shift is over... good luck with that!" seems a little awkward. And if you've built a report with the couple over many hours, it seems awkward to slip into the shadows to leave as a nurse replaces you without saying goodbye. I'm just curious how that all works ;)

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    Every place is different, every nurse is different, and every situation is different.

    Every place I've ever worked has never balked at a nurse accruing an HOUR of OT to be there for a delivery. In fact, it's often appreciated because it solves a common staffing dilemma of needing two RNs there. Most charge nurses are grateful if the off-going nurse says she'll stay for the delivery. Typically this doesn't happen unless the delivery is imminent.

    Some nurses are ready to leave as soon as their shift is up. Most nurses, if they've developed a rapport with the mom/family, want to stay until the end, if the end is fairly soon. But there are those situations or families when you are MORE than ready to leave the room and go home.

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    Thank you klone. It's good to hear that the hospitals don't want to rush you out to avoid overtime. :)

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    It depends. If the baby is right there and she is about to give birth I will stay and help out the oncoming nurse. I have stayed an extra 20-30 mins past my "clock out" time and never gotten any flack for it.

    I recently had a primip with an epidural that was just about to start pushing as I was finishing report. I told her good luck and left because I figured she'd be pushing 1-2 hours and I was tired! I punched out right on time and found out the next day she delivered 3 minutes later! I was probably still in the locker room getting changed! I felt so bad, like I should have stayed!

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