CA CoCoRN

Truer words have never, ever been spoken.

We have hospital supplied scrubs. Only the RNs wear a certain color. Ancillary and technical staff wear two other colors. No one, not even student nurses can wear the color the L&D nurses wear. I've had to reasonably "jump" on a housekeeper or two for wearing our color. The reason? We all used to wear the same color on the unit. We had an incident when a father-to-be notified a "nurse" that something was wrong with a patient. He had actually notified ancillary staff who didn't/couldn't find the nurse and didn't notify another nurse. Father delivered his own baby....and the sequalae with his outrage (baby was thankfully fine)....mandated a solution to the problem. Solution?? Differentiated scrub colors. The scrubs are hospital/agency laundered, except for those nurses who are irritated by that process. They they wash their own. Our unit has special stripes on our badges for the L&D, PP, WBN.

I don't know where you're working, the number of deliveries per month/annum, average age of the nurses, your previous experience....nothing about you. But I will tell you this: LISTEN and SHUT UP. Ask questions to clarify, write key points down...but don't worry about what you did elsewhere, heard, someone said, etc. At least not until you have a good grip on the new stuff you're learning. I'm a preceptor....and I'm going into another round of precepting. I call my preceptees "Birdies". One day they will be off flying on their own. However, for now...I'm the "provider" and I am providing them with knowledge of how it should be done universally, and if applicable, as pertains to our particular unit's protocols. In the beginning stages...especially when they're brand spanking new to L&D, I don't want their minds polluted with what "so and so" said/did/heard/useta/coulda/woulda/shoulda, etc. . It may seem harsh...but it works. Then the preceptee begins to understand what they really didn't know...and the magnitude of what they're learning. My one Birdie who didn't listen to me recently had an "event". My other Birdies are flying just fine.:wink2:

As has been said before, we only use LVNs as our scrub techs. We don't use them on the floor in any capacity (in Labor and Delivery) except to fill in as OB tech, etc. On postpartum, I believe they still use them.

Why would you have a baby when you are planning to enter a rigorous program?? Do the baby or school, separately. I was in the program as a single-mother: it was tough!!! I've been out of the program for a while now, but when I attended, classes were M-Th 5-9 p.m., depending on the courses in which you were enrolled. Clinicals were every other Saturday AND Sunday, from 6:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Right. This year, working a four day work week for most of the year, I broke the 6 figure mark. HOWEVER, in California, with housing prices the way they are, and my need for quality childcare, I haven't cleared enough to buy a house. At least a house that's not an hour or more drive from where I work and currently live.

Hmmmm...well it depends. Unlike Smiling's facility, we actually DO pay specialty pay once you have completed the "residency"/training in L&D and taken an AWHONN test. Then, after so many years in L&D and obtaining one of several competencies, and an RN-C, you could move up to a Specialty II RN in L&D. I'm working on that in the coming year. It'll mean a SIGNIFICANT (~$4/hr) bump in my wage. I'll really like that!!!! Your "regular" wage depends on your number of years as an RN. However, due to our union restrictions, you can only be hired on at/up to a certain rate.

I politely defer that conversation by saying that I prefer to keep my religious belief and affiliations private, out of the work setting. Funny thing though: I work in a Catholic hospital. Every morning at 8 am there is a daily prayer. We are all expected to stop and "pay our morning devotion" no matter what our belief. I think it is only respectful...but it doesn't mean I share in the same belief. If the person persists, then I firmly insist that I understand that their religion is important and I will respect it, I will not discuss my beliefs. Or a cop out is to say I'm Jewish if they see my "mother-designed" Star at my neck. That doesn't explain my religion, but it keeps 'em quiet.

I guess the jist of this thread was to identify facility induced use of scripts. A couple of years ago, my facility tried to implement scripting, also with the use of the phrase, "Is there anything else I can do for you?" It didn't go well. However, I will say that SOME folks around there NEED scripting to encourage the return of common courtesy. It's safe to say that many people on phone service, reception, etc, do NOT know phone and greeting etiquette. It gets my goat. I should be a consultant for customer service...I'd be going through firing folk left and right.:chuckle

I don't call it a script...but I do have a schpiel which I tailor to the pt as applicable. I even translate it into Spanish when necessary. I find that I don't say the same thing the same way all the time...but I hit the same points. I don't like to say the same thing the same way because it seems to become devoid of emotion and "connection" with the pt. So my schpiel changes as my pt's do...some points I may hit earlier in the conversation....but I make all the points and answer all the questions.

I suppose it's accurate to say that I do NOT understand your argument. Any educational system is built on proving what you know...leading to grades in courses thusly to degrees granted. That's what matriculation is. That holds true not only is this country, but worldwide. Proving what you know, in order to do it, is a result of industrialism. That's how any PROFESSIONAL field should be. You SHOULD have to prove what you know, whether you are a Computer Programmer obtaining certification in Microsoft, C++, SQL, etc or an RN or other nurse or healthcare practitioner. Just because I know an awful lot about Word, Excel, that I learned on my own...does NOT mean that I should be granted a certification in Computer Software Proficiency. I should be made to PROVE it to a set standard. That's the point of licensure: you have proven via a standardized (non subjective method) that you have the minimal proficiency to function in whatever role. It should be no other way...otherwise you degrade the definition of profession. It's unfortunate that some may not have the funds to go to school. However, if one's will is strong enough, you will get to whereever you want to go. I paid "through the nose" to go to a prestigious, reputable institution because I wanted it THAT BAD. Anything you want is worth sacrificing for, right? Right. Excuses should be thrown out at some point...if it's what one really wants.

RNs are covered and no further cert is required.

RNs WILL NOT be required to obtain this certificate as we are LICENSED by the State and that covers us for venipuncture. It's included in our LICENSURE and included in the Practice Act. (Now if your license is not active, of course you can't do it). LVNs who are not IV therapy certified will probably need to obtain this cert or the IV therapy cert. Info on CA Phlebotomy Certification Reason for the New Regs For those phlebotomists who have on the job training, we can also sign off as proof of their experience.

*edited for content*I work in L&D as well, and as a courtesy to the pt, I also draw my labs off the IV stick. I figure, since I'm putting such a large bore catheter in them, I might as well pre-empt any other discomfort they'd feel with further sticks. We have dedicated techs on our unit who draw our labs...but they know to leave the tubes and let me draw my pts.

As an RN or LVN, you CAN NOT take on a position as MA or phlebotomist. Once you are a licensed or Registered Nurse, you will always be expected to function in that role if you are working in a patient care arena. Therefore, if something with a patient was awry, you couldn't say "well, I'm just the MA" because you're NOT that, and you'd be responsible in a greater fashion. If you wanted a second job, you could always take on Registry/Agency work using your specified licensure. However, if you are looking for extra income without using your license, it would be best to look OUTSIDE of healthcare.