RNKatrinaK

Hi everyone, I have an idea for a business and I have searched the web and have been unable to locate anyone doing it. After witnessing all of the problems in long term care I am thinking of contracting with patients families on a one on one basis to check on their loved ones in facilities when they are unable to be there (living out of state, on vacation, ect.). Not a sitter but more medically comprehensive visit. Is any one out there doing this?

I am in Knoxville TN - was just offered $26.50 hr. I am an RN

Interestingly enough, I used that very statement just the other day to describe how I felt about my c-section. I had a complete placenta previa with my 1st daughter. I understood the reasoning of the section, I planned for it, I prayed for a healthy baby. With my second, I was still young - 22 yrs - explained in depth to my OB how important a non-medicated, lady partsl birth was to me, how I had read every book I could find, how I studied the different methods, how this experience was a "rite of passage" for me. I was young, I was naive, I thought Dr's knew everything and I was completely dis-empowered - fearing to say no". After being on pit (which I was against), I was told after 7 hrs that I would be getting a section. What was being done to my body was against my will - yet I was terrified to fight it. I was never given the option, never given any alternative choices,never empowered to make my own decision. I was victimized. My rights were taken from me, I was drugged and cut open. Yes indeed, I felt raped. I became a Doula to prevent that from happening to any other woman that I could possibly help.

Things are GREAT !!!!!!!! I found my home on the HRP unit and I could not be happier. Long term patients, lots of time to be able to spend with them providing education prior to labor, increasing my skill level, knowing that my care is making a difference and being able to provide the bedside care that I desire. It is a good fit because I can empathize with these mothers as they feel such apprehension, fear, and are on the emotional roller coaster that one endures when you are on bed rest in the unfamiliar surroundings of a hospital away from your loved ones for weeks and months. I personally experienced a high risk pregnancy and spent about 4 months in and out of the hospital on bedrest (complete placenta previa), and delivered a premie myself many years ago. A good place for me to be indeed. The nurses on the unit are like a family and you always have someone to back you up in times of need. Transferring to High Risk Perinatal was a God send. Thank you for asking. I am glad I moved on from L&D and yet can still provide great care for mommies and babies. Katrina

A surrogate mother had just delivered a baby boy for the new parents. The "mother of the baby" called up to check on the surrogate's condition. Unable to release that information, she just had one question of concern - "were they able to repair the ruptured membrane?" I thought we were all going to rupture something because we were laughing so hard on that one..... still makes me smile, even weeks later. :chuckle

The facility, the staff, the pace of the unit, just to name a few. I too LOVE L&D..... but I love L&D in a birthing center atmosphere NOT in an enormous metropolitan hospital where every one is on pit and epidurals. You have to make sure you are at a facility that you are a good match with. Do not give up.... just do your homework so you do not get disappointed. Good luck!!!

You have to train your body and YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY. No one thought twice about calling me in the middle of the day, when I certainly would not pick up the phone to dial them at 2am. I have been doing this for only 4 months now and they still do not get it for the most part. Turn your phone off, have a dark room and it works best for me if I go straight to bed as soon as I get home. I also work 3 / 12's. Good luck!

I was shocked when a patient of mine went from 8cm to 4cm. (She had been checked by Dr, myself and another nurse - so she was certainly an 8). I was told that the cervix can swell and that is what makes the dilation regress. Atleast in her situation that was the case.

Well, I made the change, I transferred up to High Risk Perinatal and can I just say I LOVE IT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! OMG !!!! I should have done that long ago. It is everything I wanted, time with the patients to give patient education, a much more calm pace, Still involved with OB aspect of nursing, ability to make a positive difference in pt experience, all of the nurses on the unit are sooooooo nice!!!!! I actually enjoy going to work again!!!!!!!! Best change I ever made!!!!

Thank you soooo much for your response. I have actually been out of work for 3 weeks now - had 2 unexpected surguries of my own. I spoke with my boss and she is planning for me to shadow a nurse in HRP when I return to work. I think that will be a good place for me to transfer to. Thanks Again!!!!!!!! Katrina

i too had my first fetal demise.... a full term beautiful baby girl. mom had a scheduled c-section planned for the very next day - came in early due to decreased fetal movement. it was simply tragic. the cord was wrapped around her little neck twice and very tightly. i have never, in my life, experiencied such tragedy. i have miscarried myself, but the feelings i felt for this family were on a totally different spectrum. i came across this web site just yesterday.... www.aish.com

LMU2009- Sorry to hear of your experience, as I have tried to explain in previous posts... it is all too common. I do not think you can possibly understand until you have experienced it first hand. All you can do is express the concerns and hope they listen. You hit the nail on the head about the grade not making a good nurse. My best friend struggled and struggled to graduate - we were in the same class - I happen to do very well with book stuff and graduated with honors.... who is the better nurse. She is hands down !!!!! I struggle learning new equipment at the hospital and with the hands on stuff. You show her once and she's got it. I am in awe of how good she is. People have different learning styles, the thing is with LMU - the instructors lack in "instructing". I remember all of the BS extra work that really did not apply to what you needed to actually learn. I know numerous students that failed and had to repeat semesters.... felt so bad for them.... we are talking 1/3 to 1 point from making the grade and they failed them.... disbelief really. We always said that the left hand never knew what the right hand was doing. I did my clinicals at Blount, St. Marys (which I did like) and at Peninsula. DJ was a good instructor (psych) the good ones are just few and far between. Oh well..... I wish I would have been warned in advance.

Yes, I graduated a bit ago, but I just heard this about LMU about 2 weeks ago. All I can say is do not go on the statements on their web site. You should check with the state to verify their accredidation before you send your money. They have been under investigation for some time now and they have a long history of students being disgruntled. Just be careful, that is all. I have no doubt that you will do what ever it takes to graduate... I did. Good luck.

I heard LMU lost their accredidation. All I can say is that they lied about their percentage of pass rate. It is very very low. I graduated from there (with honors - no credit to them) and would NEVER advise anyone to attend LMU. They are expensive, and you certainly do not get what you pay for. I advise you to look at other programs

I graduated from LMU and would NEVER recommend it. In fact, I recently heard that LMU lost their accredidation. They are very disorganized, terribly expensive, and instruction is less than desirable. I passed boards the 1st time with 75 questions, I also graduated with honors but I worked my tail off for it. A large majority of the students failed classes, failed the boards and had an awful experience,