OBERrural

I've been using it for 6 months. Before this I used QS and another program I can't remember from about 15 years ago. I feel like I have problems finding where to chart everything. I feel like half the time I'm searching where to chart what I need ...

We have it. It is called Fetalink and I'm not enjoying it.

You could take NRP and a basic fetal monitoring course. Most of the training is on the job, but this would let them know you are serious. Network, if you can. That always helps too.

I understand, when I worked in a big city hosptial, all of the departments kept to themselves too. I just started working rural this last year and it is a whole new world.

In North Dakota they do.

Depending on the size of your facility, could you volunteer to help in ER on their busy days? I work in a small, rural OB and when we don't have patients I ask to float to ER and have started to be oriented to ER. It's a good way to get your foot in...

I've been a L&D nurse for 9 years. It took me about 4 weeks to even feel what I was supposed to be feeling and by the end of my 12 weeks, I was much more confident, but still had experienced nurses double check me for a long time.

One more thing, I would look into the legality of being on-call and not getting paid. I'm not sure that they can do that.

When I worked in a large hospital we took 10 call slots every 4 weeks. We always had two people on call per four hour block. Now I work in a rural hospital and we only have 1-10 deliveries a month (crazy, I know!). We do not take any call. They c...

Don't be scared! You can do it. You have an amazing amount of experience and a 2 year break won't hurt anything. I recently rentered nursing after a 7 year break. They were thrilled to get someone with 8 years of experience, even though I had not...

You can't control everyone else's behavior, but you can make suggestions and start getting things changed. Every place I've ever worked, we practice very independently as L&D nurses. The doctor is barely there until delivery. Most of the things...

For some reason our hospital does not have a terbutaline protocol. I've been trying to research online, but all I come up with is the warning not to use it over 48-72 hours. So I'm curious, what is your hospitals's protocol?

It sounds like you just need more practice. Your technique sounds good. I would say any chance you get, check a cervix, even if it is not your patient. Try to check a closed thick cervix, a swollen cervix, a cervix with scar tissue from a LEEP, et...

It's possible, but I personally would want experience in other areas first. I did one year of med-surg first and don't regret it one bit. You'll use the skills more than you think and your critical thinking skills will be much sharper.

I agree with everyone else. Usually you will only feel an internal and external os when the cervix is thicker. I'm not sure what your preceptor is talking about. In the beginning , just focus on finding the internal os. Don't worry about the exte...

I am also in the Midwest (iowa) and agree that new nurses start out at $21/hour. I have 8 years experience and don't make much more than that. Good luck!

Thanks everyone, I will let my manager know. I worked in large high risk hospitals for 8 years, but then took a 7 year break to stay home with the kids. Not using terbutaline is new to me. When I left we were still using terbutaline pumps. Our OB...

Our hospital just gave us a new rule that states we are no longer able to do ANYTHING with a patient until we speak to a doctor. We cannot put them on the monitor, check their cervix, or triage them at all. I find it a bit humiliating to call the d...

We were told that it is part of "meaningful use" and must be done in order to get a grant they are applying for. We are a critical access hospital and get reimbursed differently than large hospitals, but I was wondering if this was something specifi...

I recently started working in a rural critical access hospital. We currently have 1-8 deliveries a month; however, we would like to increase that rate. The problem we are facing is that our hospital currently has a bad reputation. The town next to...

I think you'll love. Go for it!

Thank you. I will look into that for sure.

Associate degree, are you serious about nitrous? I've never heard of that and I've worked in big and small facilities.

Great advice. Thank you!

Thanks for the response. I forgot all about this post. Just an update, my husband is now out of the military. I had been out of nursing for 7 years. I took a refresher course, but decided to forego the clinical portion due to cost. I was able to...