OBRN2004

We have LPN's on my L&D unit. They work as a tech type position. They don't take patients. Their specific job duties include being the second license for a vag delivery, scrub personnel for c-sections and tubals, stocking the unit, assisting the RNs and MDs as needed, transporting patients, etc. That's about all I can tell you. I can't answer the other questions as I am not in their position. I can tell you that the LPN that works my shift is awesome and a god send. She is motivated and a hardworker. I can't imagine one of our busy nights without her!:yelclap: :yelclap: :yelclap:

Our hospital provides "group therapy" for them as well as movie nights, family nights (most of our moms love showing off their children! ), games, crafts, etc. for those that wish to participate. One of our physicians wanted to hire a massage therapist for the pts, but I haven't too much about that lately, I'm sure it probably has to do with funding. It sure would be nice to offer that to the pts though.

Our recovery time for vag, c/s, and PPBTL for at least one hour, unless of course they aren't stable and then it would vary. IV's stay in for at least 12 hours post procedure. I always try to take my vag deliveries to the BR to void, it's a really good time to assess, before I send them to the pospartum floor. Even if they aren't able to void at that time, I teach them about pericare and breast care at that time. That way when they are on the postpartum floor, they have a little bit of a headstart and the PP nurse has an easier time.

I enjoy working night shifts too. I have found I have a lot more time with my family and to do the things I want to. I don't have a hard time sleeping either. Of course I have always been able to sleep anytime, anywhere. My husband also works nights, so it really works well fo us.

I personally have not seen anyone faint. We always have the family member sit at the head of the OR table where they can't see anything, except the baby on the warmer. If the family member really feels like they can't handle it, we ask that they not come into the OR. More often than not, they suck it up, because they really want to be there for the birth. Usually they are so pre-occupied with the excitement of seeing the baby, they forget that its a medical procedure.

We had a pt who was mentally challenged and in hard active labor, no anesthesia. As the baby was crowning, understandably she was not being very cooperative, she kept pushing her knees together. Of course as she is trying to push, code brown is in progress . . . large one at that! One of our resident MDs on call that night jumped onto the bed with her to try and keep her legs apart, at which time he landed knee first into the mess. Got there just in time for the baby to skid right through it into his arms. Baby taken to warmer . . . got my first look at him as I went to dry/clean it off. No kidding the kid had a poo mustache!! We laughed forever that night and even now. Definitely rememberable!!:Snowman1:

I was a new grad last year (Arkansas). Made 17.50/hr with 50% shift diff (weekend nights) ... so 26.25. This year after my eval I make 19.79/hr with 50% shift diff 29.69. New grads here started at 18.75 this year.

I work in a high risk OB setting, I wish that when a pt is transported with Magnesium Sulfate, whether it be PTL or preeclampsia, that the referring hospital would make sure that a foley is in place. We sometimes have pts that come by ground transport, been in the ambulance for 2.5-3 hours and no foley . . .their poor bladders are about to burst when they get to us! That's my main soapbox . . . I'm stepping off now.

I work with an anesthesiologist and an ob, both were RN's first. They are both awesome!!! They both say though that nursing provided them a lot more time with the patients, that they wished they had now. I think it's a good idea for md's to work as RNs. Gives them and idea of what all we do. Makes them better MDs, IMO.

Just a little update . . . This family came by to see us last night! The baby went home 2 weeks ago. He is 3.5 months old and now weighs 4 lbs. 15.5 oz. Head is still clear, but his eyes are being watched closely since he is still requiring O2. Anyway, he and his family are doing great. It was unbelievably awesom to hold him last night. I honestly felt like I was holding one of God's Little Miracles. Sorry, just so excited he is doing so well! ( I wish I could smile bigger than this!!!!)

I personally would not have a homebirth. I think being a nurse, I would worry too much, especially knowing the potential complications that arise. I do think homebirths are ok, for those pts who are low risk and are able to easily access intervention (ie emer services, hospital) if needed. :)

Right on!!! From another G0 L&d nurse

I agree, hydrate and sedate and send her home until active labor.

We use a pump.

One of my good friends is bipolar. She happens to be a nurse I work with too. She takes her meds and has no problems at work. She is one of the best nurses I have seen. You know your limits. If you think it will effect your taking care of pts, then maybe consider something else. But, if you are stable and compliant with your meds, I see no problems. Good luck, hope all goes well. :)

I was a new grad on L&D. I just finished my first year, this past June. It certainly is a new learning experience every day! Don't be afraid to ask questions. I still ask my senior nurses questions. Congratulations on your new position. Take one a day at a time and have fun!

I am INFJ. I work in Labor and Delivery. That's a very neat test. :)

We use the HUGS system. Let me just tell you it stinks! We have lots of problems with it, from false alarms, to not going off at all. It seems like a good idea, an large electronic braclet on the baby's ankle and all. The parent's sure seem to feel safer. However we have hospital wide "surprise practice drills" all the time and Half the time we never know it is going on, because the alarms don't always go off. We are in the process of looking for a new system. For now, everybody just keeps on high alert. Also, the tags are kind of large as well as tend to rub the baby's ankles. I agree with the other post, the bands do start to stink after a week or so. It's too bad hospitals spend thousands-millions on infant security and it not be 100% reliable. There really is no room for error! Sorry-stepping off the soap box now. :)

We still use cytotec to induce labors, pp hem, etc. The MD must be the one to administer this drug, Our orders are usually 25 mcg vag q4 x4 doses. They have given po before, but usually only on the IUFD and usually a higher dosage. We also have used it rectally for pp hems. We do require 4 hours to pass after the last dose before starting Pitocin. I it is very unpredictable, though. You never know who it's going to work on. I had two cytotec inductions this week, both term, both severe pre-ecl. One changed from ft/th/high to 3/50 after 1 dose, where the other one after 4 doses was 1-2 cm (and that was being awfully generous!). You just never know!

About 7-8 weeks ago, we delivered a 25 week severe IUGR at 370 g. The baby is actually doing quite well. He had his PDA closed surgically at 5 weeks and had no complications. No brain bleeds to date. And he now weighs 2 lbs 7 oz and eating well. This is the best that I have heard of.

I'm so sorry for your loss. You are in my prayers.

I wish you all the best. I too had similar scores on kaplan, don't let that worry you. I took 110 questions on my boards and I passed my first time. You have been preparing for this for awhile now. You know this stuff, otherwise you wouldn't have made it this far. Continue to do your reviews, but be sure to give yourself some time to relax. As cliche as it sounds, don't stress out. Stressing will only add to your nerves. It was such a relief when the computer shut off for my boards, I didn't think I passed, but I just felt an overwhelming lifting of stress of my shoulders, I just started crying right there. I'm sure the test administrators thought i was a big dork, but the weight was just gone, no way else to describe it. I'm sure you will do fine. I'll keep you in my prayers. Take a deep breath. YOU CAN DO THIS!!!!

I took the Kaplan review course, but didn't really l like the way it was taught. I did use the cd that came with the book, and used the book as a backup. Honestly I didn't use the book that much. The cd really does simulate the NCLEX. I feel this CD was a big help. Maybe do a test or two a day. The last one is a full 150 questions, so it'll take awhile. I also used a Lippencott Book, I really liked this one because it includes rationales. I took boards last year, so I am not sure of the updates this year, but Kaplan CD helped me a lot. Good luck to you.

It might be Weeknights, Weekend Days, and Weekend Nights. AT the hospital where I work, we have shift diff like this . . . 20% of base pay for weeknights, 30% of base for weekend days, and 50% of base for weekend nights. I work weekend nights, so I get time and a half for every hour I work. hope this helps.

We have two male nurses on my unit. I have never heard a bad thing about them, from the patients. They seem to have fun with their patients and always get nice notes from their pts. I have to say I take over from them and I am not necessarily impressed. I'm sure they have the skills, and the compassion, they just don't document a darn thing. That being said, they are two of the nicest guys in the world. They would drop anything to help a fellow nurse. My opinion is if you have the desire to do L&D, then do it. Most patients are pretty open-minded, and like it was said in a previous post, if you are helping to "get it out" or are giving pain meds, I'm doubting there is a woman who would complain! Oh, I should mention we do have patients who refuse a male nurse for religious purposes, I'm sorry off hand I can't remember what religion it is, but their husband is the only male that is allowed to see them. Good luck to you!