MrsEd

Ditto Wow! I can't believe in this day and age how rigid your hospital is. On our unit the L&D nurse recovers mom and does the initial assessment on baby. We do not have nursery nurses. During delivery we have another RN present in case mom or baby needs extra support, but if everything's normal (as it usually is) the primary RN is responsible for mom and baby during the initial recovery period. We don't bathe babies until mom and baby go up to pp a couple of hours after delivery. I leave baby on mom's chest for at least the first hour for uninterrupted skin-to-skin. It always cracks me up right after delivery when all the family members start asking how much baby weighs - I have no freaking clue - I'm not psychic. On my floor the L&D nurse does "eyes and thighs" on baby, but never within that first hour of bonding time. And if we ever find something concerning about baby our NICU nurses are always happy to come up and check baby out at any time.

I personally really appreciate it when my patients have a birth plan b/c it gives me the opportunity to sit down with them and discuss their expectations. While we have standing orders for bedrest with bathroom priveledges, continuous monitoring, and continuous IV fluids, our doctors are more than willing to allow intermittent monitoring with ambulation privileges and a heplock as long as there are no contraindications for such. I think communication is key, and you don't make your wishes known then it's easy for the nurses to carry on with what's routine. I've had patients get to 10 cm and then beg me for their epidural, but because they were very clear with me from the beginning about their wishes and expectations I was able to be their advocate and support their desire for a drug-free delivery. I've never told a mom, "no you can't have your epidural now", but being armed with the knowledge that under no circumstance did she want an epidural regardless of what she said when she thought the pain was too unbearable, I felt confident in my ability to support mom through her delivery unmedicated knowing that it was what she truly wanted. There are some patients however that will have a code word that they let us know in advance and if they use the code we know they really want an epidural. But if you tell your nurse up front you do not want an epidural nor any other pain medication and to please not mention it again and you will let them know if you need something, most nurses will respect that. It's also really important to surround yourself with support during labor and to be flexible. It never fails that the mom with the rigid birth plan with no flexibility inevitably ends up delivering in the OR. Best of luck to you.

The single most useful tip Gini taught me was to never work harder than my patients :)

I completed the Lactation Educator course through UCSD online. Pretty easy course, yet packed full of very useful, applicable information. After completing the LE course, I was in UCSD's lactation consultant course, but I had to drop out due to lack of time and other commitments. I'm hoping to start again in the fall. Lactation Educator is a great place to start as it will most likely be a prerequisite for any Lactation Consultant program - I know it is for UCSD's LC program.

I swear by Dansko clogs. Ever since I started wearing them I no longer suffer from lower back pain or knee pain after being on my feet for 12+ hours.

You could check CMH in Ventura or Ojai.

Just curious why you're so desperately looking for a position in Urgent Care. Seems like there would be better places suited for a student intern, such as a hospital unit or ER.

I got two doses of methotrexate when I had an ectopic several years ago, and I don't recall the nurse who administered the injections wearing anything more than gloves Even after 2 doses I still ended up with laparoscopy and a D&C.

Ditto

If L&D is your passion, I say go for it!! Gain some experience and perhaps a schedule with better hours will become available or you can take your experience and apply for positions that may provide a better schedule.

Thanks for the info. I applied for the RN to BSN. Fortunately I have all my prereqs complete (it's very helpful that I already have a degree from UNR). So, I guess now I will just wait and see how it goes. Best of luck to you Chronis and Someday RN. If I don't get accepted this year, I may just start applying for grad school next year. ONly time will tell :)

Is anyone out there currently completing the RN/BSN program at Orvis School of Nursing. I just applied for the fall and was curious how the program is. Any insight would be greatly appreciated. Also, did anyone else apply for the fall? How competitive is it? I graduated from UNR in another field back in the 90's and am hoping to complete my BSN there as well.

FYI - Sharp's Summer New Grad application period starts tomorrow (Mar 8). Good luck!

All I wear are Dansko professional clogs. They are the only shoes that allow me to be on my feet for 13 hours a day and not get back/knee pain. Any time I wear any other shoes my knees and back are throbbing by the end of the day.

I think this is a fabulous idea :) As a Corpsman did you get acute care experience? If so, you should get your LVN license while you're in school, and perhaps start working as an LVN - it's a great way to gain experience and make connections. I was a Corpsman and every employer that has hired me since (as an LVN and RN) said that my military background and experience was key in their decisions to hire me. I say quit listening to everyone's horror stories and find out what's out there yourself. If nursing is your passion go for it. Best of luck to you.