nancynance

I think it is ok to cry as long as it doesn't put the attention on you and take it away from the patient. Does that make sense?

I think both departments have a lot of similarities in that we have to triage patients and we never know what's going to be walking in the door. However, I think L&D nurses should have some sort of interest in birth and women's health in order to be really good nurses. ER patients are coming in because something's wrong, and most L&D patients aren't because birth is a normal physiological process. :-)

Wow, new grad L&D nurse here. I love the delayed cord-clamping, but why are they not worried about the baby getting cold?

Anyone ever see a woman with an epidural deliver in a side lying position? I've often thought it would be possible but have never actually seen it done.

So here I am in nursing school after years of being a childbirth educator and doula. Today I was excited our instructor was covering lady partsl exams, and I asked how the assessment of station is done. Does the nurse actually feel for the ischial spines in order to determine the station? Well, long story short, I didn't get a very satisfactory answer. Basically, she said you can tell the change from your last assessment. But how do you make the initial assessment then? Anyone care to educate me? Thanks.

How much do you know about the birth process? I know it's not directed specifically to nurses, but I highly recommend the book The Birth Partner by Penny Simkin for an overall understanding of what kind of support a woman needs during childbirth. Not that the nurse can always be that kind of support. I'm sure others can give you suggestions regarding the clinical aspects of the job, but here's where I'd start. Good luck!

I am in my first semester of nursing school at the ripe old age of 53! My dream is to snag a job in L&D after I graduate with my BSN, and then start on getting my CNM a couple of years after that. I have been a Childbirth Educator for 13 years and a doula for 5. My kids are 20 and 22, so pretty self-sufficient. It's true, age is just a number.

Starting nursing school in August at the ripe old age of 53! My youngest just turned 20. I feel ready!

As a childbirth educator who has had some nursing students sit in on my classes, I was wondering how it went for you? Just wondering how I can make it a good experience for the nursing students in the future. Nancy