Wow! Finally got my NRP certification! I'm exhausted.

webbiedebbie · Jun 24, 2003

I'm taking the NRP class on 07/25. It was never required before, but now it is. I work postpartum. I asked the instructor why we had to be responsible for knowing how to intubate a baby and impressed upon her that we are not at deliveries, which NRP is based upon. She said for us, she would reinforce the basics.

I'm nervous taking this course, too. Especially since we have limited time with the babies. Nursery personnel are responsible for them while they are with the moms. That also makes me nervous because we are closer to the babies at that time. I keep up on BLS and know what to do if I am needed to take care of the baby before Nsy can get to them.

I will feel better after this course, though. Wish me luck!

prmenrs, RN · Jun 24, 2003

I'm surprised you didn't have to do it before! It needs to be renewed q2yrs, I thnk. Just get the materials, review and take the practice tests @ the end of each module. If you put in the time before you get there, it goes really fast.

You should of worn a t-shirt saying you'd been up all night, be nice to me!!

NICU_Nurse, BSN, RN · Jun 24, 2003

I know! I had signed up to take it in January (one year of working at that point, per my manager's suggestion), but my grandmother passed away then, so I missed the class because I was out of town. Our unit has a two year window for new grads and I have been working for 18 months. After studying that book (and the CD! I LOVE that CD!) and then actually taking the class yesterday, I just cannot believe that we didn't need to get it right off the bat.

The resuscitation info we got in orientation and during the first few months of training was minimal; presumably we were always going to be working with more experienced nurses. Well, that information is IMPORTANT, and I'm now in a revised stance on the whole thing. I think we need it right away, and as soon as she comes back from vacation I'm going to let her know that.

I agree; the class is more for the nurses who attend deliveries, as the babies aren't usually transferred until they're somewhat stabilized, but I mean, heck, in our Level III we get babies all the time who are

Once again, bad policy, but as I am becoming slightly jaded, tell me something I didn't know, you know? :)

NICU_Nurse, BSN, RN · Jun 24, 2003

Oh! Shoot, Debbie, I forgot! Good luck! You won't need it.

Even though you won't need most of it, I'm sure (here's hoping!), there are things that are very good to know (like working with all of the oxygen equipment and basic infant resuscitation) for a PP nurse.

BLS doesn't really get into that, and you never know when a mom's going to have a baby in the room that just decides to crump out on you for whatever reason!

Ps. GET SOME SLEEP BEFOREHAND!

Pps. If you're still nervous about taking it (it's tomorrow, right?), just go over the key points in the back of each chapter, in every chapter and if you have time, run through the two interactive scenarios on the CD-ROM. They're very helpful! As a matter of fact, if you're pressed for time, do those first. I enjoyed those, and they show actual footage of resuscitations taking place.

Ppps. GOOD LUCK! (again)

MomNRN, BSN, RN · Jun 24, 2003

At the hospital I used to work at, you were required to get your RNP certification within 6 months of beginning employment. The info was extremely helpful, but we weren't allowed to do the intubations.

nicudaynurse · Jun 25, 2003

Wow Kristi I can't believe that you just became NRP certified. I was NRP certified at the end of my internship which was about 3 months.

In reality if a code does happen the most experienced nurses come running, but they expect you to at least know the steps.

We have a lot of nurses that intubate, but of course they have extra training and just because you were NRP certified doesn't mean you can intubate. ACLS and PALS also go over intubation, but the nurses still can't do it. I guess they just want you to be familiar with the procedure.

dawngloves, BSN, RN · Jun 25, 2003

Congratulations! I'm sure you knew most of the material already. It is WAY easier than ACLS. Less drugs.

I honestly can't remember if we did intubations in NRP. But even if we did, the docs are always right up our ass eager to do it anyway, so you'd never get to use it.

Mimi2RN, ASN, RN · Jun 25, 2003

We go to deliveries but don't perform intubations, either. NRP makes more sense if you do deliveries, if only we had co-operation from the OB's who insist on bulb suctioning (and stimulating) a mec baby instead of handing it over right away. We now have a hospitalist at high risk deliveries, has made a lot of difference in the outcome since they came.

I enjoyed the CDR that comes with the NALS book, it's very helpful......my dogs started barking the first time they heard that......loud voices and a screaming baby was too much for them!

NICU_Nurse, BSN, RN · Jun 25, 2003

Yes, I'd say for the most part I knew what was covered, but there were certainly some things that I didn't know, particularly some of what happens in L&D before the baby is rushed to the NICU. More importantly, though, was that the course and book really got into the rationales for certain procedures/actions, which wasn't really covered when we were first taught the basics during orientation, and I really like to know WHY I'm doing something- it helps me understand better.

In our nurseries, I have never actually participated in a code; I have admitted infants who needed immediate intubation and stabilization, but none of my assignments have ever needed chest compressions or medications. So, though I'd watched some people do that with *their* assignments, it was extremely helpful for me to learn how to go through the process myself.

Ultimately, like I said, I really think that my manager should have insisted that we take the class much earlier. I think giving a large window like that is a bad idea, especially when the information is so important, you know? She won't be back for a week, but I'm going to bring it up when I see her next. Not that my suggestions will have made a whit of difference to her, but still.

The good thing is that I know it now, and have the cd and book to continue reviewing until I have down like a second language, and there is one less thing stopping me from getting a job anywhere else. ;>)

Ps. Debbie, I'm sorry, I just realized you said July, not June. Well, save those good luck wishes for then! They'll still be valid.

fergus51 · Jun 25, 2003

Congrats! We had to have NRP before starting work. I think it's helpful for what to do when a baby spells, because it makes you focus on the basics. Everything in nursing either relates to shock or NRP.

jeffinerrn · Jun 26, 2003

Our new orientees are required to take NRP within the first 6 months of hire and we are required to renew q2years.

Karen, I'm confused, your hospital doesn't send a NICU team to high risk deliveries? the L&D nurses and docs deliver? We attend any delivery that may need help. We have the "Bat" phone and they call when they have a pending delivery they want help for. We send at least one NICU nurse, an RT, a NNP, and a resident.

Our L&D staff are taking NRP also, but they are relieved when we get to the room if a baby delivers before we get there and needs help. They know what to do, but they only have bag and mask to ventilate. we bring everything else. and they don't do it often enough to be comfortable with it. Nurses do not intubate, NNPs or residents do. Although, some of us have been around long enough we get very impatient when we get new residents every month and they are on their third try to intubate a 24 weeker!

Debbie, good luck with the test. I guess the biggest strain in the actual situation in a code in the delivery room is IV access. Trying to get access while intubating and bagging. That's tough. Especially on a tiny one. In the unit on a kid whose already tubed and got lines it's much more controlled. AND you've got all your supplies much closer as well as more support staff who know how to help.