casirn

As a nurse manager, you have the opportunity to make everyday a special day of recognition for your staff. There does not have to be a "national" day. Your nurses should be celebrated everyday. Perhaps you can plan a recognition party, a recognition bulliten board---But these things will not be as appreciated as much as support, kind words and daily recognition of a job well done.

If you have a low risk pregnancy, which is the norm, a saline or heparin lock is practical and widely acceptable. It is my hospital's policy when administering an epidural to have IV fluids infusing. A risk of the epidural is a drop in your BP, which can be prevented with proper IV hydration. Our anesthesia dept would never administer an epidural unless the pt had IV fluids infusing. Therefore, since you are likely to arrive at hospital after 3-4cm, in active labor, you can have saline/heparin lock placed on admission. Then when you feel you are ready for epidural they will be able to hook up infusion easily.