lakec4me

we have had standardized pit orders since 2010 - start at 1-2 and increase by 1-2 every 30 minutes. we must complete a checklist prior to initiation and complete a pit assessment every 15 minutes. maximum dose is 20, unless bedside assessment is completed.

Breast Feeding Training has several free breastfeeding modules. Also, check out the abbot nutrition site for more free contact hours.

Guidelines to Perinatal Care and anything on the AWHONN website

good luck with your journey! i was also a pharm tech during nursing school, and the experience was invaluable, both for nursing school and after, as a nurse. at my facility, we have nursing assistants in mother/infant. they do mom & baby vitals, baby baths, mom peri care, change linens, stock cribs, help moms to BR, pass trays, and a whole lot of other things! we do not have nursing assistants on L&D. we have OB techs who assist with surgery and deliveries.

i think you should pursue an L&D career, sounds like you would be a good fit, never know what's gonna walk in the door, and yea, things can go smooth or require lots of interventions and teaching is a requirement!

your unit should be following the awhonn guidelines for staffing, check it out on their website.

I'm in Ohio

Hi Klone, i left you a comment in the research forum - we are in a very similar situation. good luck with your new position! i have always valued your comments and i look forward to continuing to sharing information as we both begin a new journey! :)

Ok, Klone - this is really weird! I am also an OB RN who just recently accepted a perinatal research nurse position. I start my new job in mid October. I have followed the OB thread for a few years and always appreciate your comments! Looking forward to starting this new journey and sharing more information.

I think someone posted this somewhere on here before, but if you google "Joyous Birth, learning your cervix", there is a great article. sorry, i am a bit technically challenged to post links - lol also, i agree with other posters, it takes time to feel comfortable. good luck!

We changed our skills fair to education days. we have different education stations that the nurses move throughout. the stations vary from high risk high volume topics to high risk low volume topics. it usually takes about 3-4 hours to complete. they are not competency stations, but education stations. competency is typically assessed via chart review, exams, and observation. i agree with classicdame that donna wright's book is excellent and she is a very entertaining speaker. although i've read her book and heard her speak twice, management still wants a piece of paper in everyone's file with a checkmark that they are competent in each area, so i comply!

I have been employed as a clinical educator in a specialty area for the past 8 years. I am full time, salaried, and make less $ per hour than i do as a staff nurse (second position). However, i do not have a MSN. my facility strongly encourages a MSN for my position, but there is no increase in pay. i do plan to continue my education, but it is a personal goal. also, once i complete my msn, i plan to teach online for extra $.

we start pit at 1 mu and increase by 1-2 no more frequently than 30 minutes, depending on uterine activity. as a previous poster stated, i have witnessed all types of pit orders over the years, but we now know that oxytocin is a high alert med and parameters should be followed.

wahoo, congrats, and i agree with above posters. never be afraid to ask questions of your preceptor and seek out your educator for articles, skills, etc,

while i think that epidurals are a great option, i certainly don't encourage them, and i don't think it makes my job easier with all the VS & assessments! it is a patient choice.