BookishRN

I am a new nursery nurse in a smallish hospital. At this hospital, a nursery nurse is to attend each delivery to take the baby from the OB while the L&D nurse tends to the mom. If it is a C-section (or vacuum or forceps or meconium, etc.) delivery, there will be a neonatologist along for the first few minutes, at least. Just curious about whether it is more common in most hospitals to do couplet care on Post Partum, and have the L&D nurses take the baby while in that area - rather than what this place does? Babies generally return at night to the nursery except for feeds if breastfeeding. Doesn't seem to be any rooming in emphasized here, but I guess there wouldn't be without couplet care. I'm still nervous about going to deliveries but it's only been about 4 solos so far, and I'm being told that it's normal to still be anxious. Hope so.

Not sure if I should post this here or on Peds - but I'm about to make a shift from Med-Surg post-op (one year's nursing experience) to a nursery in a community hospital. I will be cross trained to post-partum. I'm very excited about the change - but any advice? Any recommended books? Web sites to learn from?

I have some friends who have gone to Germanna. From what I understand, the program works by graduating after 18 months as an LPN, take the exam, work for a while, go back to finish up as RN, take the exam. I went to Piedmont in C'ville, and their program is 4 semesters - and ends with an RN / AAS degree. I don't live in that area now, but I could likely get you some emails from people who have gone through that program if you'd like.

My interview went well and she said she'd call as soon as the positions got activated - something she thought would be in effect by then. So I indicated I would say yes. Now - to wait. It's been great hearing from everyone. Appreciate the insights and hearing about everyone's experiences.

I'll know more today - interview this morning. Not couplet care, but that's under consideration. Since I only have had one year's experience as a nurse, and I think I might like this type of nursing, I am going to give it a try if they offer. Cross training at this unit is to the nursery. I can pursue L&D later within the institution if I think I need "more stimulation". : - )

Thanks for your thoughtful reply. I think if they make an offer, I will take it. It's hard to contemplate change again - - since I have definitely enjoyed some of the relationships with co-workers at both places I've worked. But I'm interested in finding the right fit for me. This hospital is the closest of the four that are within 30 miles of where I now live. A big plus!

"boring" I've had so much change in the past year in other areas of my life, including my own graduation just one year ago into the nursing field - that "boring" and "repetitive" at work sounds like a positive feature at the moment. I started at UVA, my husband thought I was going to have a nervous breakdown, then we moved to a different area of VA and I went to this post-op unit - which is easier than what I started out in at UVA, but still has variety. But I'm working nights and having difficulty staying awake on my drive home. Very scary at times! A closer hospital sounds very tempting - and as a person who still finds myself watching "A Baby's Story" on TLC these 17 years after my last born child was born, I thought it might be a place I'd enjoy. I'm definitely not the "ER" personality - not yet anyway. Perhaps I'm a slow bloomer? But - That's the great thing about this field - it could feel like a different job every time one changes places/field.

I'm contemplating a change from surgical post-op to post partum (switching hospitals, too) - and wonder what is the "normal" patient load in a community hospital's post-partum unit. Is 8 a lot? (not couplet nursing at this time at this place I'm contemplating) And what do you like or dislike about nursing on a post-partum unit?

I have a friend who worked for Augusta Medical Center and seemed to like it. Too far for me now. : - )

I'm new to the area - options I'd have for employment as RN (with 1 year experience): Winchester Medical Center Inova Loudoun Reston or Frederick MD Any opininons on which places are supportive to nursing? Not so supportive? Just curious....

I think the ratio is 5 during the day, and perhaps the NM was generalizing. I'd heard it would be 2 RNs, 2 LPNs, 2 techs, and a "resource nurse". I think that nights when it's a full floor, some resource nurses may take a patient or two, and others won't. Initial admission assessments are to be done by RN. At night, it'll be 2 RNs, 1 LPN, one resource nurse, and 2 techs. (all 12 hour shifts except where a float might be needed) Post-op prostatectomies, lots of bowel surgeries, lap choles, seem to be the majority of surgeries. Actually, I spent the first six months in my first nurse job at UVA on a medicine floor, so the acuity seems less here - but I'll have more of a patient load. More walkie-talkies here, less meds - and with it being 12 hour nights, I'll see how it goes. Some of the time wasting seems to be in useless computer charting. I have no problem asking for help, and asking questions - and will. That's what the resource is for, right!? I know I have not run into everything that I'll face - and it's a field where learning happens all along. So I'll learn. Patient safety is more important than my independence.

I've been a nurse for 8 months, and due to a geographical move for husband's job, am in my second position. I was told at my interview in this second place of employment in northwest Virginia that the patient ratio for this post-op unit would be 5 (or 6 at the most). Of course, I'm now hearing it will be seven with the floor full (21 beds). I'm about to go off orientation (of six weeks) tomorrow night and am feeling a bit overwhelmed at the load I'm going to take on since I've had my "babysitter" in the background up until now. Is this typical of all hospitals? Being told one thing and having it just not pan out that way? Or is this patient ratio typical for this type of unit? OR am I being a wimp??!

As a new nurse, I guess salary won't be as big an issue. Their starting rate is actually more than I am currently being paid at UVA in Charlottesville. I'm more concerned with a supportive environment to continue to learn in - since I'm having to relocate sooner than anticipated, and don't have that "first year" down yet. UVA has been great in that regard, and I will be sad to leave the great nurses I've been working with.

Anyone familiar with this hospital? Reputation? For a new-ish RN?