Why is EFM cert. a requirement for L an D

BSNbeauty, BSN, RN · Nov 10, 2015

Bump bump

klone, MSN, RN · Nov 10, 2015

Why don't they just get the certification?

I think of EFM as different from other certifications, like RNC-OB. IMO, being an expert on EFM interpretation is extremely important for an L&D nurse.

And by virtue of the schooling they must complete and the degrees they hold, CNMs and OBs are already kind of experts at EFM interpretation.

BSNbeauty, BSN, RN · Nov 10, 2015

Klone, Thank you for clarifying. I get it now. When I was a CVICU nurse we had to pass the CAT exam and demonstrate competency in reading strips.

These nurse's have taken the exam but failed. I just find it hard to believe that their comptence should be based on a test and not years of experience. From what I hear, this exam is difficult to pass.

Katie71275 · Nov 10, 2015

It's a safety issue. If you can't pass the exam to read fetal monitoring strips then the assumption is that you can't safely read and interpret the strips and determine if the baby is in danger or you need to perform interventions/intrauterine resuscitation.

NurseStorm, BSN, RN · Nov 10, 2015

Why wouldn't they have to have it? I agree it's unfortunate if someone has years of experience and doesn't have the course, but more education can always be beneficial, and if they are excellent labour nurses they should have no issue whatsoever with it. Ours is called Fetal Health Surveillance and all the labour nurses say its "stupid easy" because they work in it day in and day out. The hospital pays for them to do it to maintain competency and to teach new L&D nurses so why not? I agree though that a newer L&D nurse will obviously gain more from it.

klone, MSN, RN · Nov 10, 2015

These nurse's have taken the exam but failed.

That sucks that they failed, but this is a critical exam for competency in labor management. I get that they're probably awesome labor nurses in supporting women in labor, but you also need, even more than ever, the competence in reading EFM and knowing how to recognize a fetus in distress.

I'm sorry that they've been taken out of L&D.

**LibraSunCNM, BSN, MSN, CNM** · Nov 10, 2015

I would be very, very nervous to work with RNs in L&D who couldn't pass an EFM exam.

toomuchbaloney · Nov 10, 2015

L and D nurse's are being transferred to PP if they do not receive this certification. It breaks my heart that many seasoned nurse's are being told they can no longer work without it. I always thought certs were optional. Why is it being forced? Why aren't midwives and OBs not required to have it?

I am curious as to why you don't seem to think that they should have the ability to read and interpret fetal monitoring strips. Are you suggesting that the hospital should assume the liability (18+ years per fetus harmed) of encouraging the practice of RNs in a risky specialty who are unable to pass a competency test for the monitoring of fetal heart rate? Why should the hospital assume that liability knowing that the nurses can't pass the test for certification?

Are you aware that OB docs and midwives are largely NOT employees of the hospital and therefore the hospital is generally NOT liable for their individual practice or skill sets...the professionals themselves bear that burden alone. As well and as pointed out by Klone, the knowledge base included in the certification is ALSO included in their formal education to practice in labor and deliveries.

Again, what exactly do you find troubling about this particular exam and certification?

SoldierNurse22, BSN, RN · Nov 11, 2015

Personally, I'd be shocked and worried if L&D RNs weren't required to certify in EFM. Most of my shift is spent watching that strip in order to make sure baby is tolerating labor (or whatever else is going on) without incident! If you can't pass the EFM test, you have no place in L&D. That'd be like a cardiac nurse who couldn't pass a basic dysrhythmias course wondering why he or she wasn't allowed to work in telemetry!

Also, L&D is hardly the only specialty that requires certain certifications. You bet your behind I was required to be certified in chemo and biotherapy administration before I was ever allowed to handle those drugs, much less administer them unsupervised!

angpoulos · Nov 11, 2015

funny you mention it. I was just required to take 16 hours of EFM classes even though I have been an L&D nurse for over a year. Although, i really did think I learned some pretty important stuff

Wrench Party · Nov 11, 2015

Seems logical to have to read fetal monitoring strips in L & D. We have to read rhythm strips in cardiac. I remember even back in my maternity rotation we had to understand decels and accels and all the other good fun stuff.