How do you remember everything

[mugwump]

I have only done 4 deliveries on orientation but I am starting to fel overwhelmed with the paperwork. I feel like I am double charting vitals, writing one thing 4 places, not remembering what times I am doing things because the stip has been turned off (after delivery during recovery) little lines to write things on, I feel I'm being messy and not thourough. I think I am going to break down and bring 3 pens in the room, keep one in my posket one by the warmer and one by mom and tape a peice of paper by mom and by baby. Any other suggestions. My preceptor is good, but I almost feel too good, she keeps things in her head and I feel bad that i can't.:uhoh21:

[ERNurse752, RN]

I don't have specific advice for the charting/organization stuff...but with your preceptor, let her know that you need her to think out loud for you. She knows all that stuff automatically, but you don't. She may not realize it and just need to be reminded. Has she been a preceptor before? If you find that she isn't able to instruct you in a way you can learn effectively, don't be afraid to ask for a different preceptor. Sometimes people just have different learning/teaching styles.

[midwife2b]

My preceptees carry a small notebook where they jot down things. In order to say a birth is finished, for example, certain paperwork must be completed (delivery summary, start birth certificate, etc.) That way they can refer to their notes if needed.

After a few times this is no longer needed, but may be something for you to try...

They also keep important phone numbers so they don't have to scramble around all the people at the desk if they need to call someone...

[SmilingBluEyes]

I have a system/using a clipboard for each labor patient. ALL My info is on that clipboard, in a certain order that I have found works for me.....the patient's labor flow sheet, history/physical assessment, MAR, important labs, etc are all on this clipboard.

We all have this clipboard w/these forms on them...and we give report from them. It's the best way, far as I know.

[RaeT,RN]

I felt the same way - I had to write EVERYTHING down in the beginning of orientation, and my preceptor never wrote anything! One piece of paper is enough. I usually put it in my breast pocket with all pertinent info and a pt's sticker on it. It used to be all scribbled over and messy; now it's all the important stuff like cervical checks, blood type, GBS status, epidural placements, meds, and anything unusual. You will gain confidence and feel much more together when you get more comfortable with the way things work up there.

Have patience with yourself! You are doing better than you think you are!

Rae

[babyktchr, BSN, RN]

Patience is key honey. You will find your niche in how to do things. You have to communicate with your preceptor though, and tell her you are feeling a bit whelmed and to perhaps share her thoughts and info with you at least till you get the hang of things. I walked around with wads of paper for the longest time, had stuff written on my scrub pants, my hand..you name it. It just takes TIME..and lots of it.