anggelRN

How about a good medical-surgical book. I don't have one to recommend-(maybe on the other specialty forums on allnurses? I would try to work as many shifts as possible. You have steep learning curve ahead of you just be willing to learn and eat a lot of humble pie along the way.

Hello there! I am a telecommuting case manager and things will vary based on your company. I never had to prove my office had a door locked. However, HIPPA is very important and I cringe to think about what would happen if anyone were founded in violation. I will echo the fact that you need a strong work ethic. Everything you do is being tracked, and there is a high level of accountability. Good luck

Eh, every patient population brings its own challenges and concerns. I don't try to worry too much about the personal lives of my pts. (I certainly notice it). I just don't dwell on the negative. It would drive me crazy. I just do the best I can for them while they are under my care. I don't think this is burnout per se, but a reality of nursing. Maybe you could work doing something else like teaching childbirth classes or something that,would take you away from the bedside temporarily.

Here's advice from an L&D nurse- take an L&D job if it's what you want to do and you are offered the opportunity.

There is a difference between not understanding and not agreeing.

It sounds like you need to be more assertive. There is no reason to be rude to the patient's guest. YOU have to take control of the room because ultimately you are liable for the care. FOB can lay all the guilt he wants. Obtain consent fromt the pt and get her the epidural. He can complain until he turns blue. If they want to "shape" the baby's head- there really isn't much you can do about that once you've explained to them that is isn't needed. Always keep in mind that you aren't always going to convince everyone in the room to trust you. As long as you provide good care to the patient, it really doesn't matter. Don't beat yourself up.

How preterm was she? Also, I second the question about the FFN test. I have checked a patient who was 35 weeks gestation.

This is certainly NOT my philosophy when precepting. Yes, nursing is difficult. Yes, we do deal with life and death situations. Still, there is little need for the level of drama you’ve inserted into your role. Also, I must agree that you are perpetuating quite a few stereotypes. I’m sure that this style of teaching will and has been successful with some new grads. We certainly would not have gotten along if you were my preceptor. However, I generally don’t respond well to militant personalities. Hence my abstinence from sororities/cliques/work gossip.

I did two internships before I left nursing school. That's how I got my first job. It is most certainly worth it in my opinion.

I put a range of what is normal/ acceptable for my experience and area. My last job interview I put 27-30 dollars an hour. I got the job and my salary was in that range.

I think you'll find your orientation to be long enough. The role of a mother/baby nurse is very different than many other areas of nursing.(be prepared to do lots of teaching.) As a new grad I had a 12 week orientation on labor and delivery. In this time, I was expected to be able to care for a laboring pt, circulate during c sections and take care of high risk antepartum/postpartum pts. (I survived) You are an experienced nurse, you already know how to take care of pts, you just have to rewire your brain for postpartum patients. My only advice to you- read this book https://evolve.elsevier.com/productPages/s_2261.html

Yes there is a chance of hitting a valve if you go for a "Y" vein. Usually you have less change if you go right below the bifurcation. Also, I understand there are endless do's and don't when it comes to IV therapy, but when trying to learn a new skill, you need confidence builders. The "Y" is one that is fairly easy to insert, and I think the more options you're aware of, the better. I tend to avoid IVs in the hands (not the best spot for laboring mothers) but a quick hand IV insertion can be a life saver in an emergency situation.

You can definitely make bedside report work. On my old OB unit, we did bedside report. If I had a social issue I needed to pass along to the next nurse I did so before I entered the room. I also agree that letting the patients know you're going to do bedside report.

I started in labor and delivery and really don't see myself doing anything else.

I think like with all places, the cost of living will depend on the location. "Now to my understanding...i hear the cost of living is much higher in Australia than NY. How does one survive if they make so much less than what they make now.' Have you actually reseached the costs of living in the area where you plan on living? You may be surprised that its not as bad as you think.