Mugwump had a great idea offering services to new grads as a mentor (thank you for that!)
So, I thought having a "sticky" for new grads, OB nurses, students, and others with questions who want to post these can do so here. We also seem to see many of the same questions over and over, so perhaps this would help serve as an ongoing discussion of common issues/questions we all seem to have on our minds. This could serve not just for those asking directly, but others who may be "lurking" and looking for information or considering a career in OB, newborn, GYN nursing, or midwifery, doula services, childbirth education, lactation consulting, or other related work.
So if any mod thinks this is a good idea, mind stickying this?
Let's give this a go and see how it works out. We have many potential "mentors" here among us who, I am sure, would LOVE to help a new nurse/midwife/doula or student on his or her way to a rewarding career. I know I would love to help out!
Mugwump had a great idea offering services to new grads as a mentor (thank you for that!)
So, I thought having a "sticky" for new grads, OB nurses, students, and others with questions who want to post these can do so here. We also seem to see many of the same questions over and over, so perhaps this would help serve as an ongoing discussion of common issues/questions we all seem to have on our minds. This could serve not just for those asking directly, but others who may be "lurking" and looking for information or considering a career in OB, newborn, GYN nursing, or midwifery, doula services, childbirth education, lactation consulting, or other related work.
So if any mod thinks this is a good idea, mind stickying this?
Let's give this a go and see how it works out. We have many potential "mentors" here among us who, I am sure, would LOVE to help a new nurse/midwife/doula or student on his or her way to a rewarding career. I know I would love to help out!
Hi Smiling Blue Eyes!!!
I know I'm coming into this discussion a little late in the game but any and all advice would be greatly accepted. I'm a new grad (6/05) and I just passed boards two weeks ago :balloons: :balloons: I have always known I wanted to be an L&D nurse, that's my passion! I have plans on continuing my education and becoming a nurse midwife.
To make a long story short, I have been working in one of the top hospitals in the field of orthopedics since July. The floor I work on deals with patients following spine surgeries (alot of spinal decompressions), total hip replacements, total knee replacements, some ORIF's and external fixators, and all kinds of rheumatology patients. They rank number 2 in the world in orthopedics and (I believe) number 4 in rheumatology. They were the first in New York to achieve Magnet status, they have the lowest infection rate in the country, etc., etc. You would think I would be elated to be working in a place with such a great reputation, right? Unfortunately, no. I still want to go into L&D. I guess my question is should I stick it out at this hospital for a year and get some more experience before attempting to move on to a hospital with L&D? Will the experience I am acquiring at this hospital help when I start looking for L&D positions? Or will it hurt my chances at a L&D job? Will I be labeled as an orthopedic nurse? I plan on going back to school for my BSN either next semester or in Sept. of '06. (I currently have an Assoc. Degree).
Sorry, this post turned out to be a little longer than I expected but I would love to hear from anyone who has any advice on my situation.
Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.
Hi Smiling Blue Eyes!!!
I know I'm coming into this discussion a little late in the game but any and all advice would be greatly accepted. I'm a new grad (6/05) and I just passed boards two weeks ago :balloons: :balloons: I have always known I wanted to be an L&D nurse, that's my passion! I have plans on continuing my education and becoming a nurse midwife.
To make a long story short, I have been working in one of the top hospitals in the field of orthopedics since July. The floor I work on deals with patients following spine surgeries (alot of spinal decompressions), total hip replacements, total knee replacements, some ORIF's and external fixators, and all kinds of rheumatology patients. They rank number 2 in the world in orthopedics and (I believe) number 4 in rheumatology. They were the first in New York to achieve Magnet status, they have the lowest infection rate in the country, etc., etc. You would think I would be elated to be working in a place with such a great reputation, right? Unfortunately, no. I still want to go into L&D. I guess my question is should I stick it out at this hospital for a year and get some more experience before attempting to move on to a hospital with L&D? Will the experience I am acquiring at this hospital help when I start looking for L&D positions? Or will it hurt my chances at a L&D job? Will I be labeled as an orthopedic nurse? I plan on going back to school for my BSN either next semester or in Sept. of '06. (I currently have an Assoc. Degree).
Sorry, this post turned out to be a little longer than I expected but I would love to hear from anyone who has any advice on my situation.
THANKS SO MUCH!!!!!
YOU CAN BECOME AN L/D nurse anytime you choose. You are NOT 'stuck" as an ortho nurse. I have seen many nurses from many other specialties join us in L/D and they are considered a huge asset. If you are interested in L/D, do check the HR departments of hospitals around you to see if there are openings in their L/D departments. If there are, be SURE to submit your resume and application at the earliest possible time. Do not be afraid to request names of managers of the L/D departments and get an appointment to speak with them about your strong desire to be an L/D nurse. Nothing like face-to-face contact to express your passionate desire to be 'one of them". L/D departments do prefer "experienced" nurses, but that experience in other areas counts for a lot. I wish had a dollar for every new L/D nurse I met who came from med-surg, ICU or other areas to join us and did GREAT doing so.
So here is my plan for you:
Look at hospital websites/HR departments for openings in L/D and definately submit an application/resume for each.
Call HR departments and ask for the names of managers of L/D and request an appointment to speak to them about your desire to work in L/D, and just a "get to know you meeting". YES OB managers are BUSY BUSY BUSY, but if you can get in and meet them, or request a tour of the department, you can convey your desire to work among them and show them how motivated you are. You can also request, if there are no current openings, to keep you in mind when openings do come up. SOMEtimes openings arise that somehow don't make it to the job listings, or are new, so you need to follow up and ask questions as much as possible.
Get to know nurses who do L/D and maybe gain their assistance as an "ear to the ground" for any opportunities that arise. If you were in my area, I would very likely be able to line you up for an opening where I work, just by getting to know you and introducing you to my colleagues and manager. Networking is what it's all about.
If I got a job in OB right out of school, greener than grass, you, as an experienced Ortho nurse can, too. Your desire and passion will lead you to it, if you don't give up.
If you need anything else, just please ask here or PM me.
Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.
some more questions!
what does it mean when someone has their membranes "stripped"? Is that the same thing as rupturing?
What's the normal range for estimated blood loss in a delivery? I've heard less than 400 mL is okay, is that true?
"stripping membranes" is no more than stirring things up, if you will, by moving the bag around or away from the uterine wall. It's not the same as rupturing membranes. It does not involve purposely breaking the sac, but sometimes, the sac can and does rupture in the process. It's just a way to get hormones called prostaglandins to increase and possibly, cause labor to start in a person who is due or overdue to have her baby. Prostaglandins are instrumental in getting labor started and causing the pituitary to release oxytocin (same thing as our pitocin) to cause the uterus to contract and begin labor. Stripping membranes either works or not---trite statement I know.
I have learned, It's just as useful to have a woman begin doing nipple stimulation or have intercourse w/her partner to get the same benefits w/o the discomfort of stripping her membranes can do. And the results are just as unpredictable. These things either work, or not. The body usually goes into labor when----- and only when---- it's truly ready. You can advise a woman to try and "start labor" (if there are no contraindications) by stimulating her nipples (causes oxytocin release) or having sex (semen has prostaglandins in it that can ripen the cervix and sometimes initiate the labor process in a woman who is "ready").
For a lady partsl delivery, we look for less than or equal to about 400 ml of blood loss. Some say 500ml. More than that is a concern and needs to be watched. For a csection, 500-750 ml is the norm---although you will see up to 1000ml and not have a doctor not get too terribly excited. But that *is* a liter and a woman losing that much needs to be watched, particularly her hemoglobin/hematocrit counts. Some can sustain larger blood losses in delivery than others, depending on their overall health status prior having their babies. Watch for hemorrhage, particularly, in women with gestational hypertension (also called PIH), liver disorders/disease, anemia, or other health problems, like diabetes. Also be on the lookout for hemorrhage in cases of grand-mulitparity and multiple gestation cases.
Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.
Regarding meds in a compromised fetus. Nothing given by IV (narcotic) is considered "safe" for babies demonstrating compromised tolerance to labor or heart decelerations. All narcotics/meds given IV do go directly to the fetus.
The only "safe" (and that is relative as you know) pain relief in labor in this case would be regional anesthesia, e.g. intrathecal, epidural or spinal anesthesia. The meds given these routes do not transmit directly to the fetus and are a safer alternative for pain relief in the case of a compromised or stressed fetus in labor.
YOU CAN BECOME AN L/D nurse anytime you choose. You are NOT 'stuck" as an ortho nurse. I have seen many nurses from many other specialties join us in L/D and they are considered a huge asset. If you are interested in L/D, do check the HR departments of hospitals around you to see if there are openings in their L/D departments. If there are, be SURE to submit your resume and application at the earliest possible time. Do not be afraid to request names of managers of the L/D departments and get an appointment to speak with them about your strong desire to be an L/D nurse. Nothing like face-to-face contact to express your passionate desire to be 'one of them". L/D departments do prefer "experienced" nurses, but that experience in other areas counts for a lot. I wish had a dollar for every new L/D nurse I met who came from med-surg, ICU or other areas to join us and did GREAT doing so.
So here is my plan for you:
Look at hospital websites/HR departments for openings in L/D and definately submit an application/resume for each.
Call HR departments and ask for the names of managers of L/D and request an appointment to speak to them about your desire to work in L/D, and just a "get to know you meeting". YES OB managers are BUSY BUSY BUSY, but if you can get in and meet them, or request a tour of the department, you can convey your desire to work among them and show them how motivated you are. You can also request, if there are no current openings, to keep you in mind when openings do come up. SOMEtimes openings arise that somehow don't make it to the job listings, or are new, so you need to follow up and ask questions as much as possible.
Get to know nurses who do L/D and maybe gain their assistance as an "ear to the ground" for any opportunities that arise. If you were in my area, I would very likely be able to line you up for an opening where I work, just by getting to know you and introducing you to my colleagues and manager. Networking is what it's all about.
If I got a job in OB right out of school, greener than grass, you, as an experienced Ortho nurse can, too. Your desire and passion will lead you to it, if you don't give up.
If you need anything else, just please ask here or PM me.
deb
GOOD LUCK!!!!
Hi Deb!
Thanks so much for all of your advice :kiss , it has truly lifted my spirits! I think I'm going to try and hold on for a while longer at this hospital and continue to get my feet wet. But I am definetely going to continue looking around at the various hospitals L&D departments here in NY. I know in my heart L&D is where I was meant to be and when I do make the move I want it to be to a place where I will feel comfortable, so I am going to start networking and researching hospitals. Once again Deb, THANKS SO MUCH!!!!!! :thankya: You are the greatest and I'll be in touch!
I wasn't sure where to post this, but I'm looking for a good cultural book related to ob. Like their beliefs for after the birth, during labor and things like that. Could someone recommend a good,not expensive book for me please?
thank you
Mugwump had a great idea offering services to new grads as a mentor (thank you for that!)
So, I thought having a "sticky" for new grads, OB nurses, students, and others with questions who want to post these can do so here. We also seem to see many of the same questions over and over, so perhaps this would help serve as an ongoing discussion of common issues/questions we all seem to have on our minds. This could serve not just for those asking directly, but others who may be "lurking" and looking for information or considering a career in OB, newborn, GYN nursing, or midwifery, doula services, childbirth education, lactation consulting, or other related work.
So if any mod thinks this is a good idea, mind stickying this?
Let's give this a go and see how it works out. We have many potential "mentors" here among us who, I am sure, would LOVE to help a new nurse/midwife/doula or student on his or her way to a rewarding career. I know I would love to help out!
Culture & Nursing Care: A Pocket Guide (Spiral-bound)
by Pamela A. Minarik
No, it is not specific to OB issues but is an EXCELLENT reference I keep at work that discusses cultural beliefs/issues that affect the delivery of nursing care for our patients from around the globe. Hope this helps.
Culture & Nursing Care: A Pocket Guide (Spiral-bound)
by Pamela A. Minarik
No, it is not specific to OB issues but is an EXCELLENT reference I keep at work that discusses cultural beliefs/issues that affect the delivery of nursing care for our patients from around the globe. Hope this helps.
I have plans on continuing my education and becoming a nurse midwife. 
I still want to go into L&D. I guess my question is should I stick it out at this hospital for a year and get some more experience before attempting to move on to a hospital with L&D? Will the experience I am acquiring at this hospital help when I start looking for L&D positions? Or will it hurt my chances at a L&D job? Will I be labeled as an orthopedic nurse? I plan on going back to school for my BSN either next semester or in Sept. of '06. (I currently have an Assoc. Degree).
:thankya: You are the greatest and I'll be in touch!
NYCRN05
39 Posts
Hi Smiling Blue Eyes!!!
I know I'm coming into this discussion a little late in the game but any and all advice would be greatly accepted. I'm a new grad (6/05) and I just passed boards two weeks ago :balloons: :balloons: I have always known I wanted to be an L&D nurse, that's my passion!
I have plans on continuing my education and becoming a nurse midwife.
To make a long story short, I have been working in one of the top hospitals in the field of orthopedics since July. The floor I work on deals with patients following spine surgeries (alot of spinal decompressions), total hip replacements, total knee replacements, some ORIF's and external fixators, and all kinds of rheumatology patients. They rank number 2 in the world in orthopedics and (I believe) number 4 in rheumatology. They were the first in New York to achieve Magnet status, they have the lowest infection rate in the country, etc., etc. You would think I would be elated to be working in a place with such a great reputation, right? Unfortunately, no.
I still want to go into L&D. I guess my question is should I stick it out at this hospital for a year and get some more experience before attempting to move on to a hospital with L&D? Will the experience I am acquiring at this hospital help when I start looking for L&D positions? Or will it hurt my chances at a L&D job? Will I be labeled as an orthopedic nurse? I plan on going back to school for my BSN either next semester or in Sept. of '06. (I currently have an Assoc. Degree).
Sorry, this post turned out to be a little longer than I expected but I would love to hear from anyone who has any advice on my situation.
THANKS SO MUCH!!!!!