PLEASE M/I Float nurses info needed!!!!!

[salinarn]

I have worked in maternal/infant float for 6 years. I work L&D, Ante/Post partum, and NICU. When I was hired my pt load on L&D was meant to consist of only "normal term vag deliveries". Of course we rarely see those so over the years other pts have been added (PTL, PPROM, Preeclamptics). Our upper management is now wanting us to also circulate/scrub c sections. I think this is a terrible idea. Bad for patient safety and bad for my license. They have already decided it is going to happen and that we will receive "adequate training". My question is do other nurses in other facilities with similar float positions circulate and scrub c sections??? Is this the standard??? We were trained to recover our own pts, but it was previously thought that because we are not on L&D consistantly we would not be able to keep up our skills enough to go to the OR. I don't know why the thinking has changed. I would like to be able to have some reference when I argue against this decision. Any help would be greatly appreciated!!!

[Kooky Korky, BSN, RN]

Don't argue against it. I think that with adequate experience and training, you will do just fine.

Think of it as an opportunity to learn and grow, another way to help your patients.

I know this is not what you wanted to hear, but I honestly think you will be able to do it. Just tackle it as a new set of skills to be learned. Think about the lives you will save, those patients who need you.

Yes, other hospitals do have their L&D nurses work the OR for C Sections. Just make sure that you get to do it several times before you agree to do it without a teacher at your elbow.