Start preceptorship in L& D Tuesday- tips??

Fyreflie · Nov 5, 2012

Just drink it all in!! And--watch the mothers instead of the monitors. Learn the tasky stuff, but learn to watch how moms are moving, their faces when they're transitioning and their reactions when they realize they're close. You can learn a ton from watching your patients!! Learning good labour support early is a great idea too :)

pugmom79 · Nov 5, 2012

Thanks so much! I am so excited. I will be sure to pay attention to the moms like you say, and trust me I will be drinking it all in. I really cannot wait!

Anyone else have any tips?

Thanks again!

turnforthenurse, MSN, NP · Nov 5, 2012

I'm not an L&D nurse, but with any preceptorship, go with an open mind and seize every opportunity as a learning opportunity, even if you are just observing. And ask questions! Good luck!

monkeybug · Nov 7, 2012

I loved to precept, it was one of the highlights of my job as a nurse in L&D. Go in and have fun! There is a ton to learn. If your preceptor is not good about introducing you to everyone on the unit, doctors included, (and shame on her if she doesn't), then make a point of introducing yourself to everyone, even the doctors. If you and your preceptor are having down time, offer to go help another nurse with changing a bed, doing an IV, putting in a Foley, whatever. You will be amazed at what you can learn like that, and you make a good impression. How many hours is your preceptorship? When I had BSN students (215 hours) I found that I could have them running their own delivery by their last week. With ADN students (90 hours) I couldn't get that far, but they had a broad knowledge base when they left. Many of my students have gone on to work in L&D. I precepted in L&D, and got a job in that unit. In fact, my preceptorship was considered my orientation, for the most part. And your preceptor can be a great reference for you!

pugmom79 · Nov 7, 2012

monkeybug- thank you so much!! i am an ADN program. we have to do 7 shifts, but i already asked to do more. my preceptor was awesome and we had a great night. started out slow with lots of time to teach and then bam- our patient went from 4-9 like that. i loved the sense of urgency with it. my preceptor provided me great feedback and was very happy with me. i did discuss with her if we were slow, checking in on others and she was very happy for me to do so. i just didn't want her to think i was ditching her. i really feel like we are a good match. i wish i could run my own delivery by the end, but it sounds like as an ADN student i will have a really good base and can leverage that in an interview.

thanks again for the tips!

lovemyjoblandd · Nov 14, 2012

While you are precepting and not running your delivery, step back and watch what each person does during the delivery. What is each nurse in the room responsible for? Not just the l and d nurse but also the nursery and scrubs. I found when I was on my own that there were many things goin on in the background during a delivery that I was oblivious to when I had help and then clueless about when there was just me lol. Plus you never know when u may have to catch a baby, scrub, or provide NPR/acls. Tak the time to get familiar with each role. Also if younhave time, try to watch the scrub nurse/tech in a c/s. get familiar with the instruments.

AuS10 · Dec 22, 2012

Pugmom- I am a senior nursing student going into my final semester in January- I know which hospital I am going to, but the school has not released which unit I will on. I requested L&D. I am soo hopeful!!!!! How was your experience?

pugmom79 · Dec 22, 2012

my experience was amazing! i loved every minute. i realized that l&d probably has the most charting out of any other floor in the hospital (at least in my experience). they really liked me there- apparently i was their favorite preceptee ever. it was because i was always working and looking for things to do. if i was slow, i asked all the other nurses if they needed help- IV starts, or changing fluids, or readjusting monitors, help in deliveries. i was there to learn- not take a break. when i am a nurse on a floor then i can appreciate the slow times and enjoy a brief break, but i feel as students we don't have that privilege yet. that made not just my precpetor, but all the nurses actually put in a good word for me with management. they wanted to hire me and were hoping for a few positions to open since they are so short staffed and they were hoping to bring me on. but they only got one approved and they needed someone with experience. but they want to put in a good word for me on the med surg floors so i can transfer in 6 months or so.

so my advice would be to always be looking for something to do, take notes, know your stuff, ask questions (good ones, not ofstuff you should already know), be super helpful and friendly, be compassionate with the patients and educate them, and just show your passion for L&D. there is so much going on in a delivery it was hard to take it all in on what every person did.

i hope this helps. let me know if you have any other questions and good luck!!!!

smilinjen · Dec 22, 2012

My experience was very similar to pugmom79's. Even down to immersion on night shift. I graduated in August and thought I had absolutely no chance to get a job in L&D. The week before Thanksgiving my preceptor contacted me and said they were hiring. She gave my resume to the manager, but I didn't hear anything back so I went to a job fair and the recruiters pushed me along, even reopened the job online so I could officially apply, I had 2 panel interviews (one with managers and one with peers), was offered a job by the middle of December, and I start in January. After the fact I learned that my preceptor continued to put in a good word for me and asked if anyone else was willing to put in a good word for me - and they did. My instructor also works at the same hospital (on days) and she also emailed the managers on my behalf. I have no doubt that I wouldn't have even had a chance at my dream job without the help of these lovely ladies, and they wouldn't have recommended me if I hadn't put forth my best efforts everyday in immersion.