knufflebunny

I used to be an L&D nurse for 10 years. I left that job for 2 reasons. One, I was burned out. Two, there was a bully of a doctor that I made it miserable. I left bedside nursing and couldn't get myself to go back. I tried to take a travel position but I think I literally have PTSD. I found this opportunity to start my own mobile IV hydration business and I am loving what I do again! And the cherry on top is that I am making more than I was at the hospital and work a fraction of the time. If you have been thinking about starting your own nursing business. Don't be afraid to take that leap!!

Thanks everyone for the reply! I actually went to my managers with research because the best way to practice is through evidence base. They actually told me there were several other nurses who brought it to their attention. They put a reminder in our staff huddle to turn off IV infusions if patients are taking it PO. :) A few people have mentioned about asking the doctor who put in the order to clarify. I did talk to one of our Anasthesiologist and he agreed with me about stopping fluids when tolerating PO. The order is actually part of an order set. So after a patient delivers, they check boxes with whatever orders they want, so this order is standard for all patients after delivery.

I know this post is old but I got an interview for the RN transition program! I'm super nervous. What type of questions did they ask?

I wish we had male nurses on my postpartum floor! With our entire patient population being female and staff being female, there is way too much estrogen on the floor. Having a male nurse would be a nice change.

I actually did. My nurse friend (different hospital), her husband is the anesthesiologist at my hospital. I asked her the same question and she ran it by her husband. And they both agreed with me. I guess I needed more validation. LOL :)

Yes, I did interpret the IV access as "keep the IV in and patent!" not "keep the fluids running"! I'm curious if other postpartum floors are running IV fluids as long as these nurses are. The night shift nurses give me such appalled looks when I tell them I saline locked them. It makes me feel like I'm doing something wrong!

I am new to the hospital I am working at and they seem to run IV fluids for 24 hrs regardless how the pt is tolerating fluids. When I get a fresh C/S, the pt is on slow pit and IV fluids. If the pt is tolerating fluids well, not nauseated or throwing up, great bowel sounds, doing exceptionally well, I cut off the fluids about mid-day and continue with liquids to full liquids...etc. When I give report to the night nurse, they seem absolutely appalled. I explain to them that they are taking fluids PO and tolerating very well ...give them the whole above scenario but I can tell they are not happy or don't agree with what I did. Finally I asked one day shift nurse and she said that it is anasthesia's order to continue IV fluids for 24 hours. We look at the orders and I point out the part that says "discontinue IV if tolerating PO". She then points to another section that says, "keep IV access for 24 hrs" and says, "see that means keep fluids for 24 hrs." I do not agree with her translation of that order. What is the rational for keeping fluids going for 24 hrs if they are drinking fluids fine and output if fine...perfect scenerio basically. The entire unit practices like this so it makes me second guess what I am doing. 20 nurses vs 1. Advice/opinions please! Thanks!