The Things I Should Absolutely Know (New Nurse)

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Hello all,

I just received my L&D Resident offer and start next week! I am hitting the books hard to brush up on assessment and emergency protocols. I have also looked through a lot of threads here for what I should know as a new grad/new L&D nurse and picked up a lot of good suggestions. My question is, what do you think are the things I need to know like the back of my hand as a new grad in L&D? I don't want to look like an idiot in front of my new coworkers!

Thanks so much!

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Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.

EFM basics.

Signs of pre-eclampsia

What to do RIGHT NOW for PPH

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Specializes in LAD.

Great question! I start my L&D position in 2 weeks and would love advice as well.

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Specializes in OB, Women’s health, Educator, Leadership.

Protocol. Protocol. Protocol i.e. administering pitocin, when and how to start an induction, medications used for these things and side effects. Know the stages of labor and nursing interventions for each stage. Find the policies asap and learn them. Chart appropriately. Eventually you will need to know OR protocol to circulate c-sections and ACLS esp for PACU. You will need to learn NRP and infant assessment. All of these things come in time but having a basic knowledge or guide helps prepare you. On that note, purchase a pocketguide for L&D because your preceptor can not tell you everything.

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Specializes in L&D, infusion, urology.

Ask for the location of the protocols, policies and procedures, and start reviewing. Take notes.

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