MarySunshine

Thanks Rod! Good advice.

I am an experienced L&D Nurse looking for a travel assignment in Hawaii in the next few weeks. Has anyone else traveled in Hawaii in the OB setting? Are you willing to give me advice and tell me about your experience? I'd really appreciate it!! I've never even been to Hawaii and could use a "voice of experience" to advise me. PM me if you prefer. NO recruiters, please!

Is there an experienced traveler here who is willing to help me think through this travel nursing offer? I have 2.5 years experience in my current field. No certifications yet. I currently work at a local community hospital. We have fantastic nurse/pt ratios. I have trouble getting enough hours. They don't have any full-time jobs available, so I don't get any medical benefits. I'm going broke here. I've been offered a 13 week travel assignment. It's a very, very busy unit (about 4 times bigger and busier than my current position). The nurse/pt ratios are not nearly as good (1:1 vs 1:2-3). It's an hour away plus bad traffic. They won't guarantee that my night shifts would be clumped together. It's a high-risk, teaching facility. I have no doubt that I have the aptitude and work ethic needed for the job. I am worried about finding myself "in over my head" just because the situation is inherently unsafe, kwim? The manager said that she has LOTS of staff going on maternity leave at the same time and that's why she's needed travelers. I would make almost double what I currently do (when I factor in housing, etc). I would also be getting decent medical insurance for the first time in a while. I would learn a lot. It's a well-respected hospital -- it would look great my "travel resume." I DO want to start traveling and a lot of other places haven't looked at my profile because of my lack of certifications. I want to take on a challenge and be ambitious but I don't want to be a moron about it. Please advise me!.

I'm 38 weeks now and still working. I was working 3 8-hour shifts and 1 12-hour shift a week, but my co-workers had pity on me last week and have picked up the extra 4 hours/week until the end of the year so that I don't have to do any more 12's because that was getting to be awful. I hope I go into labor very soon! But, like someone else said, I'd rather spend my time off of work with my baby than pregnant and miserable at home. I get 6 weeks maternity leave. Whoopty-doo.

I'm feeling very grateful to work where I do. We have no such policy. It's absurd to think that they should try to prevent a very rare cord prolapse in exchange for all the common complications that would come from bed rest.

My coworkers and I are generally really supportive of natural birth. Although, it is really hard to take care of a patient who comes through the door viewing you as the "enemy" already, like some home-birth transfer patients do. Someone else already said this, but I just wanted to reiterate that if your midwife saw fit to transfer you, then ''medical intervention" is most likely warranted. With your background, I have no doubt you will make good decisions. You have set yourself up already to have a lovely birth. Best wishes. :)

I would remove even the information that you've given us about the situation from your post, for legal reasons. You're in my prayers.

Is your boss' name Michael Scott?

I know it's hard to be certain, but you need to figure out if you think you would really LIKE L&D. Imagine yourself as a competent, confident, good L&D nurse. Would you enjoy it? Or would you just be there because it was the only available job to you at the time? IF you think you may really like L&D (and it may take time to figure this out) then I think you should stick with it. The first week or two that I'm in orientation in a new situation, I always get a little "shell-shocked." I move slowly, I think slowly, I think my brain is in over-stimulated and in overdrive with the new surrounding and area. But I get over it, and I'm a very good nurse. I'm sure you will be too, if it's a good fit for you. I don't think you should have two patients so soon, tell your preceptor you need a little more time. She needs to be more patient with you. And yes, grow a thicker skin. Good luck. Come back and update us. I wanted to add something. My best teachers in life have been the ones that were really smart but also a little scary to me :) Maybe your preceptor is like this? She will probably respect you standing up for yourself and saying "I've been doing this for two weeks, I WILL figure it out soon."

Here's another take on it all: http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1817701,00.html

I think home birth can be a great option for women who fit the criteria and are prepared. Sadly, in my area, there are not very many homebirth midwives anymore. I do have a question for all you OB folks -- what do you do in the case of a prolapsed cord or an abrupted placenta? I know in the hospital they rush people to the OR. I imagine that you would get the patient in the safest position possible in the car, and start driving and call the hospital and inform them of your situation and impending arrival so that they can ready the OR. Does this sound correct? I know it would be completely rare that it would happen, but leave it to an ICU nurse to wonder about the emergencies.

I agree with every Jolie has written about this situation -- don't touch that vitamin K and inform the administrator, charge nurse, and pediatrician. Document that situation. That's all you can do. That law is absurd and I don't blame those parents for having a letter from a lawyer.

Also, if you're a visitor, please don't ask me to take your blood pressure or interpret all of your recent blood sugar readings. Thanks.

I usually say something like "Oh, Mrs. so-and-so, I'm so sorry." And I get them some ice water or juice and a cold washcloth/kleenexes and I sit down and ask if they want to talk about it or be left alone for a little while.

That was just so well written and so shockingly awful, yet totally believable. I'm also sorry if it's not funny to you (understandable), but made me laugh because of the absurdity. It sounds like things improved greatly for you?