Day 1 of my Senior Practicum

Ok, I was so excited about my upcoming preceptorship. They asked us last semester to specify what specialty/area we want to be assigned to. Some of us already knew what we wanted to specialize in. Of course, I wanted L&D, Mother/Baby, or ER in that order. I finally got my hospital assignment a few weeks ago and we were told to call and speak with the training coordinator for the hospital. It didn't list what unit we were working on. I knew the hospital I was assigned to (5 minutes from my house!!) had L&D, but I wasn't sure if that's where I was going. The other 3 in my group didn't express an interest in L&D so that wasn't an encouraging sign.

Well, long story short we were assigned to a Med-Surg unit. That was very disappointing because I was seeking an OB position after graduation and alot of hospitals (for the Residency) look at what you did for your Senior Practicum. Besides, I already had 3 Med-Surg semesters. But the lady told me that I would have to get approval from the school to switch units. So I called and it went up the chain of command and all three people in charge gave me a thumbs up.

Anyways, I had my first day today. Unfortunately, we are only allowed to work 8 hours our first day. But the good thing is that every shift from here on out can either be 8 or 12 hours. Plus I write my own schedule. So for the next couple of weeks I have 2-3 12 hour shifts per week. A couple are back to back.

I was shocked to find out that today I was working in the NICU. Wow, they trust me? LOL Ok, I better make sure that not only my nursing skills are top of the line, but I better be able to tweek those skills for tiny babies who are sick.

Let me just say that my preceptor is AWESOME! I was worried that I'd get someone who hates their job, but this woman not only loves her job, but this is her calling. And she has a fantastic sense of humor. The other woman working in NICU was so sweet too. We had a great time and were so on task. The three of us were a great team. Anyways, I had two babies today. They had alot going on so those 2 alone kept me running. But I was so surprised at how natural it felt. I'm not saying I'm a master. I'm not by a long shot. But with as much second guessing as I do with my skills, I was pleased that I wasn't so hard on myself this time. And since I had a child that was a critical NICU baby when he was born, I knew how the parents felt and I pulled on the memories of the best nurses I had when I was there. The things that helped me, I attempted to use with them. I might look at myself as this shaky nursing student, but to a parent whose newborn started life out COMPLETELY different from what they imaged I am someone who is there to care for their child, to care for them, and to include them every step of the way. I may not feel like I know everything, but they certainly never went to school for it. They look to me for the answers. Showing self-confidence and honest concern for their baby that is their life is generally exactly what they need.

For the last hour we headed back out to L&D where we had a couple of patients. One of the patients was a trip! I just really had a great conversation going with her. All I can say is WOW. This stuff ROCKS! I LOVE it! :-)

Talking to women that are about to have their first baby after a string of miscarriages, I've been there. I can give those encouraging words. I know how it is to not know if the next heartbeat could be your babys last. And it's not up to you whether it is or not. I've seen women counting down the days until their due date. Finally get to a day of contractions and having their water break. Call the dr, call the family, get everyone excited about "The Day" only to show up at the hospital for them to be unable to find the babys heartbeat. They never find the baby's heartbeat. The baby is gone and the world ceases to exist for that parent. How do you go home to everything you received as a gift? How do you tell everyone in your life what happened? Even if one person doesn't find out and they see you a few weeks later and ask about the baby. What do you say?

I've had L&D nurses & instructors tell me that it sort of gets to them that people have this picture perfect view of what a labor & delivery nurse is. It's not "Ewww, how can you stand that? It's so messy and nasty..." and it's not "Oh that's the BEST job! Getting to hold all those babies all day!". Like everything there is good and bad. There's ethical issues that you have to know where you stand and have an open mind before you can confront it in a professional way. You may be pro-life, but you cannot pass judgement on that mother for her past. You must genuinely provide the best care that you can for her. You must be able to hold it together long enough to get your job done when a baby or mother passes on what should be a happy day.

But the bad can't cloud the amazingly wonderful part of what you are. You are honored to be there for one of the biggest (if not THE biggest) event of the family's lives. To be there helping that mother along and watching that baby come into the world is such a wonderful thing. :-)

Simply put. Nurses RULE! LOL