L&D/PP Practicum!! :]

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I am so very excited to actually get to post this and ask for advice because I have FINALLY been given the final word that my senior practicum for nursing school will be in L&D (with floats to postpartum floor if L&D is slow, I guess) which is what I was crossing my fingers and waiting with bated breath for. SO, this being said, I do not have a mentor and probably will not have a mentor assigned to me until the first day of practicum (for some reason), so FIRST of all, I guess I want to know what any mentors/preceptors who have had practicum students recommend to be reviewed prior to the start of practicum and what concepts are the most important for me to know? Besides the obvious "be willing to learn and do anything" mentality, what did stellar practicum students in the past do to impress you? What sort of expectations do you have for practicum students in terms of "flying solo"? And things I am supposed to be asking my mentor before practicum starts are the top five medications, treatments, diagnoses, lab values, skills and pain medications to be aware of. I know this may vary from unit to unit, but any advice you can give would be VERY appreciated. I am so excited to learn and to be in the specialty that I enjoy the most!! Thanks so much. :D

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Sorry, I would have posted on the student OB section but I am unsure how to do that. :lol_hitti Really would appreciate any advice.

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It will be important to know about post-partum fundal heights and firmness. assessment of lochia. meds to know are pitocin, brethine, magnesium sulfate, cytotec, prostaglandin gel, epidurals for labor, stages of labor, problems in labor such as; pih or pregnancy induced hypertension, pre-eclampsia, eclampsia, dic, failure to progress, non-reassuring fetal heart rate, neonatal resuscitation, gestational diabetes, use of pitocin in labor vs. post-partum, assessment of cervix in labor for dilation, effacement, stage. rom or rupture of membranes as artificial or arom vs. prom or premature rupture of membranes, color of amniotic fluid and time of rupture, support during labor, pain meds used in labor besides epidurals. hemabates use post delivery. preparing for a c-section. checking bladder status during labor and after an epidural. these are some of the things you can review and ask about. there are many. there are so many assessments in labor and also in a triage room to determine if someone is in labor, or in trouble needing to stay. good luck.

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I would review terms associated with fetal monitoring, be familiar with meds- pitocin, hemabate, cytotec, and methergine. Antibiotics for GBS- Pen G, Clindamycin, Erythromicin, Vancomicin, and ampicillin and when one is given over another. Maybe do some reading on breastfeeding, assistance with latch, and consider attending a La Leche League meeting. Above all I wouldn't worry too much- OB is a specialty area and you will learn on the job.

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Specializes in geriatrics.
It will be important to know about post-partum fundal heights and firmness. assessment of lochia. meds to know are pitocin, brethine, magnesium sulfate, cytotec, prostaglandin gel, epidurals for labor, stages of labor, problems in labor such as; pih or pregnancy induced hypertension, pre-eclampsia, eclampsia, dic, failure to progress, non-reassuring fetal heart rate, neonatal resuscitation, gestational diabetes, use of pitocin in labor vs. post-partum, assessment of cervix in labor for dilation, effacement, stage. rom or rupture of membranes as artificial or arom vs. prom or premature rupture of membranes, color of amniotic fluid and time of rupture, support during labor, pain meds used in labor besides epidurals. hemabates use post delivery. preparing for a c-section. checking bladder status during labor and after an epidural. these are some of the things you can review and ask about. there are many. there are so many assessments in labor and also in a triage room to determine if someone is in labor, or in trouble needing to stay. good luck.

thank you, i have done 5 shifts on D&L, i think im good at about of half what you mentioned, hoepfully i can go through all of them by the end of rotation!

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your are welcome and good luck with all. everything you study will be useful at some point in your career and in life.

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