acw

Congrats on your job and your pregnancy! You can do it. Just make sure you take time to eat. I had a note from my doc saying I had to have a lunch break. I really started to feel sick if I went too long between meals. Good luck!

I work on a 26-bed unit in a small Catholic hospital. Our census varies widely depending on the surgical schedule. We have several other hospitals nearby and the surgeons typically operate at more than one hospital. On good days, I feel like I provide really good nursing care. On bad days, I am frustrated that patients have to wait on me because I am so backed up and being pulled in so many directions at one time. On those days, it is very important to prioritize. The typical ratio is 4-5 patients per nurse. This is better than my last position which tended to be 6-7 patients per nurse. I have high job satisfaction right now (I have been a nurse for 2 years). When I was a new grad, I was much more stressed. I have learned that I don't have to beat myself up if I am not perfect.

I have only performed chest compressions once. I was a nursing student observing in the ED. I have only had one pt code during my shift as a nurse and the CNA was the one who actually performed chest compressions until the code team arrived. I was busy calling the doc, grabbing the crash cart, etc. I work ortho. We just don't have that many critical patients. They typically get transferred to ICU if they are going downhill. So I try to really pay attention when getting recertified because CPR is just not something I use often.

I worked on an ortho unit up until 2 days before delivery. I started this particular job when I was 6 months pregnant. I did quite a bit of lifting patients, CPM machines, etc. I tried not to ask for help unless I really needed it. I probably overdid it at times and I was pretty exhausted the day after I worked. It was tough when I worked 3 12-hour shifts in a row. I literally waddled down the hall during the last month. I sat down during the shift as much as possible while charting, asking the pt admission questions, etc. (My feet and ankles were sooo edematous). Most of my coworkers were really cool about helping me. Some jumped in and helped without being asked. Others didn't seem to care. I delivered a healthy baby boy on July 1, 2005. I will be going back to work in 2 weeks. To answer your question, it was challenging, but I am glad I continued to work up until the end.

CNA's are valuable members of the healthcare team, but they are not nurses. Remember, nurses can perform CNA duties, but CNA's cannot perform many nurse duties (like giving meds, taking orders from docs, etc.) And CNA's do not have the legal responsibility that nurses have.

I am a 26-year-old new mother of a beautiful baby boy. He was born 7-01. I am scheduled to go back to work Sept. 4 on my surgical floor. I am somewhat excited about going back to work, but I am also heartbroken about the idea of leaving my baby with a babysitter. I have a good home child care lined up. I can't stay home with him or switch to part-time work right now. I work 12 hour shifts, but may be able to switch to an 8 hour work schedule. Just wondering if anyone has any advice about going back to work that may make the transition easier.

I can totally relate to how you feel. Stick with it, though. It will get better. My best friend and I graduated in May of 2005 and during our first year we kept saying, "It has to get better. It couldn't get any worse." Now we are both doing well in our respective jobs and we both love our jobs even though they are challenging. Nursing is not easy, nor is it dull. It is so rewarding when I can go home after a good shift and know that I comforted someone or eased their pain or alerted the doctor of a potential problem. Hang in there for a while before you give up on nursing as a career.