wilma30RN

Often times, they have effaced more or dilated 0.5-1 cm more: enough to say the cervix has changed but not substantially.

Yeah, it can definitely be a judgment call and different based on the doctor and busyness of the unit. Our patients are usually admitted as outpatients until it is determined that they are in active labor. It depends on the doc what exactly will get them deemed in "early labor" that qualifies for augmentation.

We have had a couple of cases lately where there has been conflicting opinions regarding the plan of care for patients between 37+0 and 38+6 weeks who present with regular contractions and/or very slow cervical change. For example, a patient comes in at 2cm, contracting q5 minutes, but makes little change over the course of several hours. Some physicians would opt to start pitocin, as the patient was already contracting and making slow change. Others would refuse to start pitocin, citing the policy of no elective inductions prior to 39 weeks. How does your unit define augmentation vs induction? Does your hospital have a policy on labor augmentation? If so, is it determined by gestation, contraction pattern, cervical dilation, cervical change, induction agent, something else?

I can give a patient drugs that will paralyze and sedate them- no cosigner required. One unit of insulin- cosigned required.

I've worked at a couple. Both had clinical ladders.

At my urban hospital, which serves primarily the economically disadvantaged, we provide a car seat free of charge to anyone who does not have one.

All of our epidurals use a fentanyl/bupivacaine mix. Most will use fentanyl for the test dose, but a few will use marcaine.

Geographic location- Indiana Pay rate- $28.50/hr In which area / specialty do you work? Labor and Delivery and ICU What type of license do you have (RN or LPN)? RN What type of degree and/or certification do you have? ASN, BS, ACLS, NIHSS, NRP How many years of experience do you have? 1.5 Are you full-time, part-time, or casual / per diem / PRN status? per diem What shift do you work? days Do you receive any shift differential? yes, from 3-7 Are you a manager or supervisor? nope

I took ACLS and an EKG class prior to graduating. It was a factor in getting a job in the ICU- as a new grad. I'm happy with my decision, even though my employer would have paid for it had I waited.

I should be... both are in two days. Instead, I'm finding every possible way to procrastinate or waste time.

I have the Timberland Renovas, MBTs, and some high priced New Balance. It definitely pays to splurge on good shoes.

I would wait. You really never know what could happen in pregnancy. After three perfectly uneventful pregnancies, I ended up with serious complications, bedrest, and a pre-term birth. Thankfully, I took that semester off. I think you could focus better on both by waiting. Wishing you a smooth and healthy pregnancy and delivery.