Published
AWHONN puts out some good ones too. ALSO get thyself to a fetal monitoring workshop.....it is very helpful and interracting with others from different settings is always stimulating to me. I own the book, Core Curriculum for Inpatient Obstetric Nursing published by Sanders for AWHONN...often used to study up for the RN, C in this area. A great outline format and helpful to folks just joining labor and delivery ranks! And I echo Finally RN...anything by Michelle Murray is a good bet.
Dont forget to explore continuing education programs your hospital may participate in. You can ask about PCEP (Perinatal Continuing Education Program), often used by hospitals for perinatal nurses in the clinical setting. I also did a lot of work in Strong-Perifax programs, another educational undertaking paid for by my hospital...I learned a lot w/that even tho I have been doing this more than 5 years. There is so MUCH out there!
I have also read the book Crossroads, A Journey of Commitment, by Marianne E. Olson, RN, MS. This is a thought-provoking book that talks about how patients and their family members perceive their care/treatment in the obstetric/clinical setting and how we as healthcare providers need to work to provide a *SERVICE* to them, not just a *PRODUCT*. A great way to stimulate thought on how we are serving those we care for. Some of the personal accounts of the patients and their families will SHOCK you...others will warm your heart. I found it eye-opening and it made me look a little deeper in myself to see where I could improve myself.
Also, get NRP-certified ASAP if you have not already! It's CRITICAL for all nurses in the perinatal setting! I wish you LUCK!!!! (sorry this got so long...as you can see, I am passionate about what I do!)
then get NRP-certified ASAP...cause you never know, when even despite a "good strip", a baby who requires immediate rescusitation comes your WAY!!!!!! They do that sometimes. And there ain't time to think what to do.... You have to prepare for the WORST while hoping for only the BEST! NRP helps you do this! It's a MUST!
there SHOULD be an NRP instructor at your hospital. If not, check around. I got my NRP certification at the hospital where I work. Ask your nurse manager...he/she will be impressed that you are looking into it. This person can point you in the right direction. If not at YOUR hospital, it is likely offered at a larger institution. The sooner the better! GOOD LUCK!
Here is a web addy that directs you to NRP instructors near you:
http://www.aap.org/profed/nrp/nrcourse.htm
good luck.
DeniseLDRN
17 Posts
:kiss
Hello to all!
My name is Denise I am 31years old and a mother of 5, I am a fairly new RN. I just recently began working in Labor and Delivery. I have found that my nursing school books don't give real life situations or suggestions.
I was really hoping that someone could suggest a good book on labor and Delivery, that includes FHT monitoring. Any help would be appreciated greatly.
Denise RN