I am on my CVICU orientation. We have mostly lung and heart transplants coming straight from OR. My preceptor told me that I have amazing knowledge to begin with and learn really fast. However, she wasn't sure if I could handle two patients on a busy day and sometimes they give us three. I am 18 weeks pregnant and sometimes it used to happen (first trimester) that I needed a break during the busiest time 8am-10am (passing meds while doctors want you to round while patients want to be cleaned). Of course after the break, I was already behind (even though my preceptor would take over some tasks). On top of that, I need extra help with lifting and pulling patients.
Few weeks ago, I had this horrible pain and was sent home. Yesterday, I had another pain around 5pm that wasn't going away even after sitting down in a break room and I was sent home again. My manager suggested that I transfer to tele floor and come back after the baby. She also said if that is not what I wanted I am welcome to stay.
I feel so guilty for being sick from pregnancy (because once I get home and lay down it goes away like nothing happened). At the same time I feel like a loser being demoted back to tele floor and not even sure if that is going to be easier on my pregnancy since they have 5 patients. Finally, my manager might be saying I am welcome to come back because of fearing pregnancy discrimination. Or she is genuine and I am being too negative and frustrated?
I am not sure what to do and how to proceed. I don't want to use pregnancy as an excuse but nausea was so real and now occasional pain is really disabling.
Are there no patients on Tele? LOL. But yeah-I know what you mean. It's not quite the same, I can appreciate that whole heartedly. After all, reading about a balloon pump is very different from working with one .
Sometimes when we have to make compromises, it's just finding a way to work in building ourselves up. Not to mention it is so much easier to apply knowledge you have already been exposed to--even in book form--then to just have to face it head on with no briefing.
Either way, just some food for thought. And as I said, only you know what feels right and good for you to do. You'll find your way. You got this!
~~CP~~
Oh! You know, I just thought of this--you could work on your GRE! GRE scores are valid for five years--in this way you are also working toward your end goal of CRNA.
Oh interesting, but does every school require GRE?
Please take of your own health. I would check with your doctor about the pains, and if there is anything you about the nausea. And you are entitled to breaks! Your are entitled to 10 minutes every 4 hours, and possibly more if you have a union. ...
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Aside from what is included in a union contract, this is state specific, and might not be the case in the OP's state.
I agree with what Cheese Potato and many others said. Having worked OB I'm wondering if this is your problem.... HOWEVER, I'm not a NP, midwife or Dr so please check with your OB provider.
It is possible what this article saying. I actually went to see a doctor last week and she told me I had some nasty infection so I thought it was the possible source of pain. But I finished antibiotics (talk about nausea on top of nausea) and it is still there but it comes and goes.
I didn't mention the my floor is also understaffed severely and we have to rotate shifts every 3-6 weeks. That is another reason why I am hesitant to deal with all of that as a new pregnant nurse in ICU. At least tele would be nights only and hopefully with the help of CNAs.
Pg women tend to have lady partsl yeast infections and UTIs. There are some things you can do to help with both (dietary, supplements etc); if your infection comes and goes you should talk to your OB about it as well as look online. Obviously you don't want either and a UTI can cause preterm labor so you really want to jump on those. And yeah, I think it would be easier to be on one shift instead of switching, even if it's nights. Your schedule will be messed up with the baby, no use adding a messed up work schedule to that.
I think you need to reframe some things. Tele is not a demotion. As nurses we all take care of patients. Your supervisor sounds very considerate and is trying to accommodate what you might need as well as giving you a choice on what you would like to do.
There is no guilt or shame with having to deal with the limitations of our bodies, be they short term or long term. Listen to your body and if you need to take a lighter load during your pregnancy you should do it. Remember that we are only human and have many responsibilities to our families, our jobs and to ourselves. If we have to rebalance them sometimes throughout our lives so be it. No shame in that, just makes good sense.
FutureNurse0201
92 Posts
Oh interesting, but does every school require GRE?