OB and Ped's clinicals in Jan - any prep advice?

[jlynn2303]

Hi,

I will be starting clinicals for OB and Ped's in Jan. Any advice on stuff to look at before? Things to make life a bit saner during?

Thanks,

Jennifer

[sugarbush]

I am male and had no problems in OB with patients refusing me because of it... I saw three C-sections...the day I was supposed to watch a vag delivery none occurred while we were there. I spent 4 days in postpartum massaging funduses and teaching breast feeding... It was so much fun trying to act like I knew something about proper latch....lol

[CrunchyMama, ASN, RN]

I am male and had no problems in OB with patients refusing me because of it... I saw three C-sections...the day I was supposed to watch a vag delivery none occurred while we were there. I spent 4 days in postpartum massaging funduses and teaching breast feeding... It was so much fun trying to act like I knew something about proper latch....lol

Awesome! Ya know, someone has to! Most the time the maternity staff knows nothing about breastfeeding.

[Ang_RN]

Know your skills and be confident. Nothing makes a parent more nervous and apprehensive than a nervous nursing student bumbling when taking care of their child.

Know your developmental levels, be prepared to communicate with the child. They are more scared than you are. Smile and don't be that nurse that talks to loud and uses the big words.

Talk to the child and the parent, but don't talk to the child like an adult or the adult like a child. Tell the parent what you are doing, tell them what the medicine is for.

Don't ever say a medicine tastes yucky in front of the child. Try to get their mind off of the medicine while you are giving it to them. Make sure they know the importance of taking it and then start talking about something fun!

Don't use the word abortion around pregnant mothers, believe it or not its offensive.

Always, always have a sense of urgency while making sure the patient thinks you have all the time in the world for them.

Cluster your care.. especially for patients on precautions!

Double check your meds, don't think you know more than everyone else.

Kids are people too.. small wonderful happy people. Don't be afraid to hug them.. don't be afraid to give a little bit of your heart to them.

I LOVED Peds!!