dykely

Oticon streamer??? Hmmm, sounds interesting....last time I was at the audiologists she was showing me a loop that sits around your neck and can play music from my phone directly into my hearing aids, sounds like what you are talking about but I don't think she called it a streamer...What do you have to buy with it? A Bluetooth stethoscope? (Sorry, a little confused...)

We do VBACs at our hospital (300 deliveries/month, NICU, Level 1 trauma center) I guess I should say some docs do, but not all will accept VBACs. We have a STORQ doctor in house 24/7 (who covers all pts in an emergency, their groups' pts, or un-doctored pts that come in) So it doesn't have to be THEIR OB that is in house, but the fact that we have one if we need one covers them. We have anesthesia in house 24/7- one, and mostly they are sleeping at night :-) Continuous monitoring is required. They cannot get Pitocin for induction or augmentation. I think that covers everything specific to our VBACs...

Last night was my first night after being off for a week. At the end of the shift our educator asked if I had time for a chat. Apparently she had received some feedback from one of our doctors (one whom I really respect and admire) regarding the last shift I worked in which we had taken one of her patients to the OR for an emergency C/S. The feedback that I received was that she felt concerned for me, that it seemed like I was overwhelmed and that I needed some more support around the OR. Granted, I acknowledge that the situation was one big cluster. I did feel overwhelmed (but I didn't realize it was so apparent). We rarely go to the OR on night shift. This was only my 3rd time taking a pt to the OR after finishing my orientation in March. One thing I guess I didn't realize was that my role (as the circulator) is to anticipate the doctors needs that are going to come up while in there (hand up, vaccuum, etc) and be prepared for them. My educator was super helpful in offering to give me more days to orient to the OR or whatever else I think would be helpful. I'm not quite sure what would be helpful though...I feel like since we only go to the OR in an emergency on night shift, orienting to more days of scheduled non-chalant unhurried cases would not be very productive. Any ideas? Feedback? How did you get confidence/proficiency in the OR? thanks!

One thing my preceptor encouraged me to do when I oriented to our MomBaby floor was to go through the discharge instructions that get sent home with patients. In our area we have several different groups of OB doctors as well as pediatricians. Each group has their own specific discharge instructions to be sent home with the patients. Though the exact format or amount of information changes with each group, the information is consistent. BABIES how many pees/poos to expect? How much/how often to feed? How often to bathe? Most IMPORTANT- how to know when something is wrong/when to call the doctor. MAMAS bleeding, breast care, activity restrictions, again Most IMPORTANT how to know when something is wrong/when to call the doctor. Being someone who has never had kids and family that lives far away- this information was worth it's weight in gold when I had the answer to their random questions- as well as the confidence knowing that it was the correct "physician approved" answer :-)

Last week our L&D dept had 3 or 4 positions posted (noc shift). The manager was looking at hiring travelers just to fill the holes. Where are you from? I am in Eugene, OR and it is absolutely beautiful here! The hospital I work for is PeaceHealth Sacred Heart at Riverbend. If you are open to moving out here, it's certainly worth applying! As with any L&D jobs, apply even if you don't have them experience they are looking for- they just may invest in you. Also, I think we have positions open on our MotherBaby unit too (which is where I started) and if you are interested in working postpartum, it's a good way to get your foot in the door. Good luck! Let me know what you decide to persue :-) Holly [email protected]

Strangest wording I've seen on a birth plan: - Please do not bathe our baby. (Ok, fine...less for me to do anyway) We prefer to do the first baby bath together using NON-TOXIC baby products. (Really, I was hoping to give them an acid wash using steel wool for a washcloth!)

I once had a family member ask if the hospital gift shop sold cigarettes.....Why, yes sir, we do...right next to the vodka and clean needles for injecting your drug of choice! The questions I hate most in L&D: - how much did s/he weigh?....well, since the baby has been skin to skin on your chest since they came out of your lady parts, I have no idea. Want me to take a wild guess? -how long do I have to push?.....ummm, until the baby comes out

I can relate. On all accounts. I grew up in the South (in a very strict Southern Baptist home). One of the hardest things I've ever had to do was coming out to my parents. After that I decided that I was going to live my life true to my heart and wasn't going to "pretend" for anyone. For me it is simple, although I know not everyone is in this place. When my co-workers are talking about holiday or weekend plans, I do too- mine just involve "me and my partner" or "my wife and I". I live in a very different community now than I did then. I now, thankfully, live in a diverse and culturally accepting culture (Eugene, OR) and that makes it a little easier to talk about. I haven't had any negative experiences from my co-workers at all. I will say that I don't typically "come out" to my patients. After all, it's not about me- it's about them and their new baby! I have worked on a PP/NB floor for 4 years and just transferred to L&D about 3 months ago. I will say one HILARIOUS encounter that happened on my very first day of orientation. We were leaving and clocking out at the end of the shift and the CN (who is just like a little fireball of energy) comes up to me and all in one breath practically say..."SO, how was your first day? You got a delivery, that doesn't always happen. But did you get a chance to check her ? Could you find her cervix?" I replied "yes, I checked her, but by the time I did she was complete, so no- I didn't find her cervix bc all I could feel was baby's head" TO WHICH SHE REPLIES...."that's ok, your first dozen or so vag exams really you are just getting used to having your hand in a woman's lady parts." Me: "ummm, nope....that's NOT a new thing for me. I'm well used to it at this point!!!" She just turned bright red and was like "oh, oh, oh.....well yeah, there's THAT..." It was a funny encounter that I will probably remember for the rest of my life. Good luck to you in finding your way with your co-workers. I'd be happy to talk about any experiences you encounter if you find you need a sympathetic ear along your journey :-) Holly [email protected]

I am so grateful to have found you all!!... I JUST joined this website bc I was looking for info on research nursing... and voila! If any of you have a minute as "credible professionals" and could shed some light on this situation for a lowly first yr nursing student it would be immensely helpful - for my own peace of mind if anything... thank you sooo much Background: During clinicals at the hospital this week (neurology unit), I was assigned a pt in horribly heart-wrenching situation- as I am sure will be one of many in my nursing career... w/out giving too many details...early 30s, 2 young kids, not married but with kids' mom for years, no significant health history at ALL....All of a sudden he's at work and falls down, is unconcious, pulse regained after significant time (>10min), tests run, stroke ruled out, unclear dx but "probable" cardiac arrest.....Fast forward 35 days....he remains in a persistent veg state, trach, feeding tube, foley, the works...and his family is in the throes of deciding whether to leave him like this or to turn everything off. So....I was doing my prep paperwork, and I dunno about when you all were in nursing school, but its ALOT and much of it is research. I came across these headlines and was intrigued- something along the lines of- "Sleeping Pill Proven to Reverse Vegetative State!" I am thinking, yeah, likely story. So I check it out. Credible source (BBC) that I came across but found that the original research was posted in "NeuroRehabilitation" (after further digging). It is VERY recent - in the world of research anyway- less than a yr old. So I am blown away. I take it in to my instructor the next day all like hey we could really make a difference here and waddya think, I am so excited....and I was crushed bc she basically blew it off as a hoax. I didnt press it at the time bc I hadnt done thorough research at that point, but now have done much more. I did a Google search - try it- "ambien and vegetative state"....over 17,000 hits! All over the world it seems, this is being talked about and tried - many times with success (at least they claim). The most RECENT research (about 2 weeks ago) FINALLY, recruiting is happening in the United States for clinical research trials to either prove or disprove it on a clinical basis rather than anecdotal reports. My dilemma: My instructor has blown me off like I am a three year old who doesnt know any better. And please, dont let my website-chatty writing style mislead you...I am at the top of my class in a VERY competitive program, so (at least I feel) I have proven that I...I dunno....can be trusted I guess, or at least am worth not dismissing. What do I do? I feel like I have done a disservice to this family by "withholding" information from them. That it isnt up to me to decide whether they pursue it or not, but at least provide them with the information!!! I dont have any moral/spiritual feelings one way or the other about them disconnecting everything...I cant imagine being in that situation, but I feel like they should have a heads up on this before they come to a decision. What can it hurt right, duh, its an Ambien!!I feel like my hands are tied and I am REALLY not okay with it...but I am not about to get kicked out of my program I worked so hard forever to get into either. Anybody have some insight? Again, anything is helpful...sorry to ramble, I am so fortunate to have found this site. Due to what this situation has sparked within me, I think I may be interested in research when I graduate. ~Dykely