You know the world is in bad shape when...

...I'm teaching new moms how to change diapers!!!!!! Yikes!

Last week for clinicals, I was on the Postpartum floor. Some of my classmates who had already been on that floor had mentioned how it was boring and that you don't get to do a whole lot because the new moms are pretty self-sufficient. Well, the trick to getting to do a lot is to pick a patient who is not very sufficient! My patient was a new mom in her 30's. The baby was about 36 hours old when I met the new family. So far, the husband had been doing all of the infant care (except for the breastfeeding, of course!) There wasn't a lot of nursing skills to do but I got to do a lot of teaching with them, which is a huge part of postpartum care anyway. The new mom was pretty emotional, which is a very natural and common way to feel after giving birth and can last a couple of weeks. She cried to us in the hallway saying "I don't know what to do when the baby cries." I was able to use my therapeutic communication skills with her as well as educate her on if and when she should talk to her doctor about her emotions. Postpartum blues are very common and can last up to 2 weeks. Postpartum depression, having those blues for more than 2 weeks, having negative thoughts towards baby, etc. should be addressed. My nurse also recognized the importance of getting the mom more involved in the infant's care. When the baby had a dirty diaper, I worked with the mom and helped her through the process. I guess it's just something we expect everyone to know but not everybody does. I haven't exactly changed a ton of diapers in my life so I could really relate to her knowledge deficit. My nurse told me that I did a great job teaching her and was very patient with the new mom while she figured things out. Well, if anything, I can say I learned how to change a diaper in nursing school!
haha! :)

We had another new mom and baby in the afternoon. I got to teach the grandma how to swaddle the baby, the importance of keeping the baby warm, and also the importance of SIDS prevention (back to sleep!!). I felt so useful and that I actually knew something that could help somebody out.

Being at Arlington Memorial, I have been expecting to know somebody there. After all, it's where i was born, had my surgery, it's kind of my "home" hospital. I was chatting it up with my nurse last week, whose name is also Mary, and we were just kind of getting to know each other. Turns out she and her family have always gone to the same church I grew up in, her husband and son work for the same company my brother works for, and she also works part-time for American Airlines. Gosh, talk about crossing paths our entire lives! Needless to say, we certainly bonded. When it was time for me to leave, she gave me a hug and said "call me up here if you ever need anything." Such a great day with patients and nurses alike!!

Tomorrow I am back on the Labor and Delivery unit...hope to have some more exciting stories for you!

Off to a very good start in OB...

I turned down quality neighbor time both Friday and Saturday nights to study. The laundry has piled up and my poor husband hasn't had a home-cooked meal in at least a week. Today, it all paid off. I had my first OB test and made a 94!!!!! I got 71 of 75 questions correct! This class isn't supposed to be as hard as Pediatrics but I was a bit worried about getting off to a good start because my Theory class only has 2 grades- Test 1 and Test 2. Not a lot of wiggle room exactly. Needless to say, I can rest easy tonight knowing that I only need a 52 to pass the class. Don't get me wrong, I won't settle for just a C. Because I did so well, I'm feeling a bit greedy...maybe I can swing an A?!?!?! Just gotta keep up the good work for 4 more weeks.

Last week's clinical day was another good one. I was in the Newborn Nursery. I got to do an initial assessment on a brand new baby girl, as well as give several first baths, and a couple of Hepatits B vaccines. Nothing overly exciting but it was good to actually see the things I've been reading about in action. I've been learning so much!

I'm exhausted. Time to go catch up on my Z's and then get started on all that laundry!

Happy Birthday!

Why did Leo make the blog? Read on...

Day 1 of OB Clinicals was awesome!! I was on the Labor and Delivery Unit and assigned a patient and her nurse, both of which were wonderful. Within the first half hour of meeting my patient, I got the opportunity to insert a Foley catheter (all laboring patients who have epidurals get them). A new skill to cross off my list! Of course, we learned how to do those in the first semester but that was my first opportunity on a real person. Let me just tell you, those mannequins are not life-like! :) My instructor said I did a good job but it's definitely a skill that meets the criteria for "practice makes perfect."

My patient was only dilated to a 3 so I knew I had some time to go observe the scheduled C-section down the hall. I walk into the OR thinking that I will just stand against the wall and observe and before I know it, one of the nurses hands me a Foley catheter kit and says "Wanna put it in?". Uhhhh, yeah, I guess...Of course she's asking me in a totally supportive, learning-opportunity kind of way so I gladly oblidged. The OB doctor performing the procedure even gave me a few kind pointers as I proceded. (I couldn't get over how nice and helpful the staff was being!) Everything went well and the C-section was amazing to watch, and it happened so quickly! Oh, and just after the baby was born, that same nurse handed me a vial of Vit K for the newborn's fist IM injection and Erythromycin eye drops, saying "Wanna give these?" (In case you were wondering, all newborns get Vitamin K because they are born without clotting factors and Vit K prevents them from bleeding out. Erythromycin is a prophylactic antibiotic for eye infections from the birthing process.)

Once that exciting event was over, I headed back to check on my patient. Over the next few hours, I got to be a part of her baby's birth as well as another patient's.(and give more vit K and erythromycin) All I've got to say is EPIDURAL!!!! It's a wonderful thing, people! In all seriousness, the experiences were amazing and I felt priveleged that they allowed me to be a part of their very special moment. The gift of life is a true blessing from God!

Speaking of birthdays, my little furbaby, Leo, is turning 2 today! (April 6) He'll get an extra special treat today for sure. I'd say that I might spoil him and love on him a little extra but I'm not sure it's possible to do any more than I already do on a daily basis. He may be growing up chronologically but he's still a puppy at heart.

Check back soon as I have a story to share from my shift at work last Friday. Have a great week!