LightningRN

We have doctors that don't like when we give low apgars (not that you did). I call them like I see them though. I try to give the maximum points I can, but I'm sorry when I have to bag a baby I'm not gonna be giving 9:9 apgars. This frustrates me too.

I honestly don't know how things work at your place of business, but if the same situation had happened to me I would have written a verbal order to administer the medication PO as per the phone conversation with the MD.

If you are questioning because you don't understand why a physician is doing something specific maybe just the way you word it will make a big difference. Instead of saying "why?" and getting a response like "because I said so" .. you might try something like ... "will you explain the rationale of this for me?". I have never ever asked a physician the rationale of something and gotten blown off or "because I said so". Either you work with some really disrespectful physicians or perhaps you aren't making yourself clear that you are honestly trying to learn something and it may come off as "questioning" orders in a disrespectful manner.

I do love being a nurse. There are plenty of times when I feel overworked, underpaid, underappreciated, etc. But I love what I do, I love the patients, and I love feeling like what I do actually means something in this world. But its not glamorous, its not always fun ... its alot of hard work and sacrafice, but I am proud of myself and glad I'm a nurse.

Of course no nurse practices with absolute autonomy, thats not our job. Autonomy in nursing to me means that the physicians we work with respect us as professionals to take care of our patients to the best of our ability and trust our judgement when they are not around. In my specific situation I feel that the nurses I work with are allowed a great deal of autonomy in caring for our patients. I realize that it is not that way everywhere. Its one of the things I love the most about my job.

I didn't go to Jeff State, but I think regardless of where you go some people will find it difficult and others may not. I think you will find that everyone has very different opinions. Good luck to you. If you want it, you'll make it :)

For pregnant surgical patients depending on their gestation we typically either dopple FHTs before and after the surgery or get an NST after the surgery. For med-surg patients that happen to be pregnant we usually dopple FHTs Q8 hours or so, depending on the situation of course. If they need more maternal/fetal care than that, they need to be on an Antepartum unit in my opinion.

At my hospital L&D nurses may work in L&D triage, L&D, L&D OR, PACU or Antepartum. We have seperate nursery and PP units and we do not staff those with L&D nurses.

Our hospital does require fit testing, but I've never had to use one of those types of mask in L&D. The OR masks are completely different. I wouldn't worry about it too much.

I used to be anxious about the same issues, I also have frequent upset stomach. I have never been in a situation when I couldn't find someone to relieve me for a few minutes. It happens .. and it happens to everyone. It happened more often when I was a brand new nurse, I think anxiety makes my issues much worse. Once I settled in to the job and started feeling comfortable it didn't happen as frequently. Don't stress yourself about it.

General anesthesia does affect babies. Babies react to general anesthesia very similarly to how moms react to it. Babies born under general are very often lethargic, floppy, blue, ... all the things we don't like to see. They usually come out of it just fine, but it is a risk. Thats why when a mom is put under general the surgeon usually tries to work quickly because the more time that passes the more profound the symptoms may be. I don't think you should quit L&D because of this. You must realize that sometimes bad and scary things are going to happen. Its going to be that way with any aspect of nursing.

I know who you are Hope you are doing well. We all miss you.

I don't think she actually meant to put your thumb in. Geez. I took it as meaning if you COULD fit your thumb between. My goodness.

I work in L&D in Montgomery too. Feel free to msg me if you want any more information than what people have already given you. :)