I've come a long way, baby! But there is so much further to Go!
11:29 AM Edit This 0 Comments »
So, I have been on the mother/baby unit of Dameron Hospital for about... hmmmm, 4 months now. I am 'in my groove', so to say. I am feeling competent and confident in any patient that I encounter. I do have some brainfarts now and again, and I still wonder how well I will be able to realize complications if and when they arise. I am feeling more confident in caring for Magnesium patients, and I don't mind circumcisions as much as I used to (mainly, it's the paperwork!).
Mamas - Having been a newly delivered mom before, I feel good about my ability to tell the new moms and dads what to expect and educate them on how to care for themselves and for baby. I feel very strong in my assessment, although sometimes that fundus hides! I feel much better about explaining breastfeeding, although I still find it difficult to know if supplementation should be suggested for a baby prone to jaundice or not feeding well or eating enough or pooping/peeing enough.
Babies - I have grown to like the babies more than I thought. It is very different caring for babies than moms. They can't push their call button, they don't tell you, "I am a 9 out of 10 pain", they don't know how to cough, and they don't stop crying just because you ask them to when it is time for assessment.
I didn't want to put the cart before the horse with the NP thing, but I have just recently begun thinking about it again. I am glad that I started out in mother/baby for one big reason, I am now starting to wonder if NICU is the place for me. I seem to be bigger on details and learning and procedures. I am very interested in learning to speak with parents about their babies.
I have thought about getting in touch with one of the NICU nurses and asking what she thinks I should know about babies to increase my level of knowledge.
Well, with that being said, I am making great money and really enjoying how much I am learning everyday.
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