Question to L&D Nurse Preceptors

[achurley]

I am looking for advice to make the most of my upcoming senior internship with Scripps La Jolla, CA in L&D. I want to be as prepared, professional and efficient as possible. I plan to let my preceptor know that I appreciate and enjoy constructive criticism. Also, research more about the hospital department and review fetal heart monitoring basics. I became NRP/ACLS/PALS certified over this past break and went to an AWHONN meeting.

I feel especially worried because the census was very low at my clinical site where I did my OB rotation. This unfortunately resulted in me not being able to observe not even one lady partsl delivery or c section. I did very well in didactic ending with an A and scored Level III (97th national percentile) in ATI for the Proctored Maternal Newborn section.

I feel really fortunate to have a placement with this population and plan to work hard and hopefully stand out (network). Do you have any suggestions for what I can do ahead of time to come as prepared as possible? Any of your valuable input would be much appreciated!

Thank you in advance!

[tnbutterfly - Mary, BSN]

Moved to OB/GYN forum for more response.

[RunBabyRN]

I'm a few weeks into my own orientation to L&D.

Brush up on pregnancy complications such as PIH, preeclampsia, GDM. Take the basic fetal monitoring course through AWHONN (that will help IMMENSELY). Review breastfeeding basics with newborns. If possible, hook up with La Leche League or another good resource for breastfeeding. Review your newborn assessment, where fundal height should be after birth, and labor pain management techniques. Look up PAPP-A and what that tests for. Review normal newborn vitals, medications for labor and slowing PTL.

Once you get there, it's good to write down what needs to happen before and after the placement of an epidural, what charting is required, how often you need to assess dermatomes and BP, etc. Find out what charting needs to be done when, like how often to document the strip, what you can chart on baby before birth, what needs to be charted immediately after birth on both mom and baby and how often they need to be assessed, how they set up the delivery table, where everything is located (restock the rooms, peruse the OR, etc to get familiar), where to find protocols, where to find the numbers for the MDs, anesthesia, NICU, etc. Find out what needs to happen with a new admit, whether it's an induction or a multip that rolled in with the urge to push (almost delivered one of those in the elevator this week!). Know what needs to be charted before Mom and Baby go to PP.

[achurley]

@RunBabyRN

This is extremely valuable advice! Thank you sooo much, I greatly appreciate it. Congrats on your position.