PEDSVA

Hi, I am pregnant with my fourth @ 32 wks. Went for my 3rd u/s and things are not improving (don't feel like going into percentiles) but umilical pressure is increasing. This is my second child with decreased fetal developement my 3rd child was induced at 38wks and was 5'10 oz and fine. The fact that @32wks they are giving me the betamethasone kind of concerns me. This leads me to believe that we may not make it even to 36 wks. I am just trying to put my head around it all but I was wondering from a NICU standpoint what is the honest outlook for a baby delivered between 33-36wks for decreased fetal developement. So far the baby is very active and my first NST was fine. I will be going twice a week for NST and AFI's (that also concerns me). I have floated to the NICU so I have an idea how it all works but I am just trying to prepare myself from a mothers standpoint. I also know that things will probably be fine but my only was to cope is to be aware of the things I may encounter once the baby is delivered. Plus, what else to do while on bedrest! Thanks for any input you all may have :).

Yes, just a handful. I live in the MD/DC/VA area. There are quite a few independent homebirth midwives but I don't know what the laws are. I have to do some research. Thanks for all your info. If you can think of anything else I should look into please let me know.

Yes, I guess a doula. I figured that would give me alittle insight into midwifery. I think your right it doesn't make sense to wait because I would have to train to become a doula. Once becoming a midwife is it possible to limit your clients so that it's part- time? I am thinking about my family. I have no desire to work in a hospital setting. I'd like to do homebirths or work in a birthing center.

I have been a nurse in pediatric ( med/ surg, PICU,ER,CICU) for about 8 years. I am interested in a transition to midwifery. I am currently pregnant with my fourth child and really wish that having a midwife was an option for me. Thus the inspiration to become one. I thought about becoming a birth assistant to gain experience before applying to a program. With an rn could I apprentice for a year or is it better just to apply for a program considering my experience. How hard would it be to find someone willing to hire me as an birthing assisstant?

Hi Janfrn, Just wanted to say a quick thank you for starting this thread. I haven't visited the site for a while and tonight I couldn't sleep so I decided to see if anything interesting was being posted . I only work once a week nights in the CICU (just started 2 yrs ago). I rarely get sick kids and get floated alot to PICU being PRN status. I will admit I was starting to loose my drive to seek out knowledge and had fallen into a rut. I am too busy at work to research anything extensively(besides the fact that I learn the best when I am physically in the situation rather than just reading about it) and I am busy at home with my children. This is just the thing I need to stay enthusiastic about being an ICU nurse. I look forward to participating in your little brain exercises when I have the time.

Are the MDs comitted to having well educated nurses and value their input? Do you feel new grads and/or new experienced nurses gain proper knowledge to feel empowered once off orientation? What is unique about your unit that makes you love working there? Lots of questions but interested hearing the REAL DEAL. Specifically, night shift since we're often over looked.

I have been a nurse for 7years in various areas of Pediatrics. My most recent specialty change was to the CICU. I have been there for 1 year after completing the nursing fellowship last spring. I am already starting to feel burned out with 12 hour shifts and the additional requirements. Oh forgot to mention I just gave birth to my 3rd child last august. I have tried many areas of pediatrics(which I love) but nothing seems to be my calling and I miss the time taken away from my family. Is there a position particulary in pediatric cardiology that I could do from home? How would I go about finding out what I need to do to become certified in CM or possibly get a master's in case managment? What are good websites to obtain more info. about the various roles of a CM? Thanks for your help.

That sounds very different from my interview process! I guess things have changed. How didi you find the program ( interested to see how that has changed) ? Best of Luck!!!!

Thanks Janfrn, I am going to copy those tips down. Changing the pressors out is a huge source of stress for me and the dbl pump idea is a great one, surprisingly I haven't seen anyone do it that way yet. I am still on nights and most of the time the drips are changed during the day. Thanks again, there will more ques. later

Hi All, I recently began a CICU fellowship and loving it, despite how overwhelming it is! I have encountered alot of really interesting cases in my first month ECMO, CVVH, HFOV some extremely sick kids. I am also surprised @ how multisystem cardiac patients can be. There are so many things to consider besides the heart ie. the lungs, GI, neuro, kidneys,you get the point. As a mom this is a great growth opportunity for me as an individual and I hope to prosper in both areas of my life. Just wanted to share my excitement and I am open to any Pearls of wisdoms from anyone who has something to offer.:uhoh21::nuke:

Potomac hospital is quiet and only does minor illnesses. They transfer anything that is even slightly critical so if your coming from a children's hospital it may be boring. Fairfax sees pretty much everything. There have been a lot of changes there so I don"t know about the work environment currently but I liked it when I was there. I think Fairfax pays slightly more.

I have worked @ both hosptials. Potomac is a small community hospital so your experience would be limited. If you are looking @ starting slow that might be the place to start. The pay there is pretty good, in some departments you can opt out of benefits and go prn after 1 year of working there, that pay is excellent. The hospital is being remodeled and is beautiful. If you want a wide variety of experience in virtually any area you choose in nursing Fairfax is the place. They have excellent fellowship programs for new grads. I did there pediatric fellowship about 6 years ago. The hospital is much larger than Potomac. It's a level 1 trauma center, they have a building dedicated to cardiac patients that is fairly new. When I left Fairfax I felt like I had solid basis for my career. The pay I guess is comparible to what the average new grad is making. I think you have to have a few years of experience before getting a PRN rate at Fairfax. I hope this helped. PM me if you have more specific questions Oh! Traffic is aweful in this area if you didn't already know, so location may be your deciding factor in the end. The differential at both hospitals are about the same and are pretty good.

Thanks for all the advice! This is my 3rd pregnancy and currently I will HAVE to go back to work. Day care isn't an issue, Thank God for MIL. After looking for this specific position and not finding it prior to becoming pregnant, I decided to just look again after the baby was born while on maternity leave. Of course while browsing through a nursing magazine the other day I came across the position. Life is something. I guess if I were offered a position upon accepting it I would disclose the info. and that I did plan on returning to work. If anyone one else has any tid bits to offer I'm listening. :innerconf

Is it considered ok to apply for a new position if you are newly pregnant (less than 4 mos)? When is it appropriate to disclose the information ?

Rayne31, When you get your resource book together could you post it on this thread or PM me a copy ,if possible. I am thinking of finally returning to PICU within the year and would love to brush up on some things over the next "9 months". Good luck with your endeavor.