pushinrn

motorcycle mama- I don't see where you made any mistake. If your intent was to help provide the best possible care for this pt at the end of life, you did what you thought was best. Don't let politics get in the way of your seeing that. If someone doesn't stand up for those who need help, where are we as a society? If nursing is the "business" that you really want to get out of, take another look around- there are tons of different areas where you can make a difference. Good luck.

I'd love to see a study done regarding the correlation between the 4-page birth plan and eventual C/S. Unfortunately some folks have such a hard time giving up control that they can't let their bodies labor. But the worst is seeing the home birth transports come in absolutely scared stiff- I've heard the things they've heard- and while they aren't true (mandatory epidurals, manditory pit) these poor women don't know that and they are terrified. It doesn't have to be this way- it's not a competition for patients; but I have no idea where one would start to make it better.

You know, we do so much high risk where I work- we're the only place with a NICU to support these babies for at least 2 hours in every direction. So perhaps we may be a little jaded where home birth is concerned. But please understand that our only professional experiences involve home births that have either failed (ie: infected and C/P for 6 hours before she made it to our door) or never even got off the ground (ie: laboring for 3 days, ruptured X2 days and unable to void s cath X24 hours). Both cases ended up in C/S but it was the hospital's fault that they didn't get the birth they wanted. I wholly support a woman's right to deliver where she will; but I wish that people would realize the primary goal is a HEALTHY mom and a HEALTHY baby. The lay midwifery community has a responsibility to their patients and their babies to know when to come in for help, and not let fearmongering and pride get in the way of safe patient care.

We had a 5 semester RN program in Tallahassee, FL that was amazing. Pre-req's were non-negotiable- but when we realized what the nursing coursework was going to be like, we were pretty glad to already have that stuff out of the way. It seemed like it made it much easier for us to focus on the "good stuff". I work on L&D now and am considering going back for my BSN and MSN- becuse I want to teach. There is no difference in our hospital between RN, BSN, and MSN unless you want to go into management. I would keep in touch with the Board of Nursing in whatever state you plan to practice. Good Luck!!

I was offered a wonderful job on L&D before I ever graduated. I can't imagine surviving the first 2 years without the support and patience of every single nurse on the unit. I love students, I love orienting- bring them on!! Remember, folks- these are the people who are hopefully going to care for US in a few years. We better treat them right, now!!

If you are having to use gloves for ice packs to the perineum, try to make sure that they are the latex-free kind- they don't stretch as well but may decrease latex sensitivity problems. 2 pair of panties each is simply inhumane, especially for the red-headed bleeders!

Nurse wannabe, my prayers go out for you and your family. We know that there may not be any answer to the question "Why?!". Sometimes this happens and even with all our tests, we can only give an educated guess. As for helping you get through this, please take the advice already given and seek out support groups- there are so many families out there that have had similar experiences. Let them help you. Talk. Cry. Let your family hold you and care for you. DO NOT BLAME YOURSELF. Give your beautiful little boy the name that you had picked for him- he is his own person. Don't be afraid to cry with your partner- they lost a baby, too. I wish you peace. Please follow up on the sleep apnea concern as well.

The L&D manager who hired me before I even graduated told me later that the only reason that she hired me was because of my enthusiasm. She knew that I knew absolutely nothing, but she realized that this was my calling. 3 years later, I am still thrilled to be here! Stick with it. Med Surg is definitely a help, but L&D can be done without it!

I was in the same postion about 2 years ago. The thing that saved my fanny was changing to 8-hour shifts; that little 2 hour nap after I tuck the kiddo in makes a huge difference, especially when I am charge. Hang in there- the balance is there, you just have to find it. Good luck!