Just some perceptions with no general direction.... Not about nursing or birth or anything... Just some musings (that's what you get when I have time on my hands).
I watched the presidential debates the other night. Well, I should say I watched the 20/20 episode before them and then I watched the debate until I fell asleep in the middle of it.
The 20/20 episode highlighted both candidate's childhood, education and political and family life up until this point in time. I found it incredibly intriguing.
While the candidate's experiences and upbringing were as different as any two people on the globe could be, they were strangely similar. Similar in that both candidates came from dysfunctional families and parents who were less than ideal but whom they were still striving to impress and gain favor with.
It struck me. If the two men who are running as presidential candidates of the USA survived dysfunction including alcoholic fathers, then our own dysfunctional families cannot serve as an excuse for failure anymore.
And, if these two men can overcome the errors of their upbringing, then won't our children be able to overcome our errors? Sometimes I find myself in tears regretting things I've done as a mother and a wife. If only I could go back in time, then my children wouldn't have to endure my mistakes. Aren't we as mothers prone to feel this kind of guilt?
But, if Barack Obama can overcome being left by two parents; and, John McCain can rise up after feeling he left his father down when he read a confession beaten out of him in a POW camp; then, our kids have to have nearly the same chance of acheiving greatness one day.
I'm believing more and more that everyone has some dysfunction in their family - whether they admit it or not... And, it is those who try to portray perfection who are probably the most inundated with dysfunction.
Monday, September 29, 2008
Nothing But Time
This week I'm starting 12 hour shifts. So, instead of working 5 days each week, I'm only going to be working 3 days a week plus one 8 hour shift every other week.
So, this week, I only work Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday!!
I'm excited... But a little nervous: What will I do with all of my free time???
Today I did laundry, cleaned curtains and bed linens. I baked some decedent homemade apple cinnamon rolls. And, I finished the trim on the first ever blanket that I crocheted.
What's left for Thursday and Friday?
:)
So, this week, I only work Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday!!
I'm excited... But a little nervous: What will I do with all of my free time???
Today I did laundry, cleaned curtains and bed linens. I baked some decedent homemade apple cinnamon rolls. And, I finished the trim on the first ever blanket that I crocheted.
What's left for Thursday and Friday?
:)
Friday, September 26, 2008
An Awesome Responsibility
This past week a blue, limp and breathless baby was born.
And, the doctor handed her to me.
The resuscitation was successful. My colleagues were there beside me when I needed their help.
Being a Nurse is more than I envisioned it to be.
Being a Nurse is, by far, more than a job to me. It is a commitment. A commitment to learn and continue to learn. To care and hold no biases; pass no judgements. To relieve pain, but also to cause it sometimes; and, to embrace it when we must. To have days that are thankless and tasks that are messy. To be a part of a team, knowing I am not alone.
Mostly, being a Nurse is the act of pouring myself into my passion and being greatly rewarded for it.
And, the doctor handed her to me.
The resuscitation was successful. My colleagues were there beside me when I needed their help.
Being a Nurse is more than I envisioned it to be.
Being a Nurse is, by far, more than a job to me. It is a commitment. A commitment to learn and continue to learn. To care and hold no biases; pass no judgements. To relieve pain, but also to cause it sometimes; and, to embrace it when we must. To have days that are thankless and tasks that are messy. To be a part of a team, knowing I am not alone.
Mostly, being a Nurse is the act of pouring myself into my passion and being greatly rewarded for it.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
A Free Smile
After an emotionally and physically exhausting shift, I came home, took a shower and curled up in my recliner. I had the good-fortune of accidentally running across this 60 minutes BON JOVI interview from June of this year.
This is a rare interview during which I didn't once want to just beg him to shut up or sing. He made me laugh out loud. It is a good interview.
Jon's Interview
Relax and enjoy!
This is a rare interview during which I didn't once want to just beg him to shut up or sing. He made me laugh out loud. It is a good interview.
Jon's Interview
Relax and enjoy!
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Seminar
Today I went to a seminar on legal issues in nursing, specifically "defensive charting." I saw a flyer about the seminar and immediately thought it was one I wanted to attend. So, I submitted a request to my nurse manager to have the department send me. The request was approved.
I've gone to many conferences and seminars before, but never on anyone else's dime. I've always had to clear my calendar, take time off of work and foot the bill myself. But, today, I was sent to this seminar AND paid for a full day's work at the same time. Pretty good deal.
The seminar was lead by a lawyer who represents hospitals in malpractice suits. He gave many good tips on how to document fully and responsibly.
Documentation takes up about 1/2 of my day. I would say for about every minute of patient care I do, I could do a minute of charting. Everything we do as nurses and everything we witness the patient doing, is chart-able. When nurses get busy doing patient care activities, their charting time is decreased. It's sort of a hard place to be. Your job is to provided competent care to patients, but you might as well not have given any care if you didn't chart it, because "If you didn't chart it, you didn't do it."
The seminar was useful. There was a "mock deposition" at the end of it. I sure hope I am never deposed, but the chances are I will be someday. The obstetrical healthcare provider can be sued for up to 20 years after any adverse infant event. Can you imagine trying to remember the specifics of a particular patient and their care 18 or 19 years later? All the nurse has to go by is her memory and her charting. My memory is not so swift.... So, I will be focusing more on my charting so I can have a complete picture if I so need.
I've gone to many conferences and seminars before, but never on anyone else's dime. I've always had to clear my calendar, take time off of work and foot the bill myself. But, today, I was sent to this seminar AND paid for a full day's work at the same time. Pretty good deal.
The seminar was lead by a lawyer who represents hospitals in malpractice suits. He gave many good tips on how to document fully and responsibly.Documentation takes up about 1/2 of my day. I would say for about every minute of patient care I do, I could do a minute of charting. Everything we do as nurses and everything we witness the patient doing, is chart-able. When nurses get busy doing patient care activities, their charting time is decreased. It's sort of a hard place to be. Your job is to provided competent care to patients, but you might as well not have given any care if you didn't chart it, because "If you didn't chart it, you didn't do it."
The seminar was useful. There was a "mock deposition" at the end of it. I sure hope I am never deposed, but the chances are I will be someday. The obstetrical healthcare provider can be sued for up to 20 years after any adverse infant event. Can you imagine trying to remember the specifics of a particular patient and their care 18 or 19 years later? All the nurse has to go by is her memory and her charting. My memory is not so swift.... So, I will be focusing more on my charting so I can have a complete picture if I so need.
Monday, September 22, 2008
The Image of Nursing
As part of the nursing class I am currently completing, I have to answer opinion based questions. Here is this week's question and my response.
Question: What is the current image of nursing in society?
While the media may devalue nursing as a profession in shows such as "Gray's Anatomy" by portraying nurses as mere "helpers to doctors," this is not the overall, actual accepted perception of nurses in the public.
Nurses are consistently described as honest and ethical in gallop polls year after year. The public sees nurses as caring - for individuals and the community with hands on help and healing with an ability to make a positive difference (Roxane, 2004). This is in part because, fortunately, an individual's perception of nursing is not singularly shaped by popular prime time television shows. Rather, people are exposed to nursing in a variety of ways including their own personal experience with professional nurses. And, the average person's experience with nursing is that of a positive nature. Additionally, people consistently receive positive images of nurses assisting with disastrous situations in news stories .
In fact, one 2008 Nursing Economics study revealed that "The public sees nursing as combining knowledge, skill, and professionalism with caring (Donelan, Buerhaus, Desroches, Dittus & Dutwin, 2008)."
Therefore, the image of nursing in society is influenced in various ways resulting in an overall positive view of the professional nurse.
Donelan, K., Buerhaus, P., Desroches, C., Dittus, R., Dutwin, D. Public Perceptions of Nursing Careers. (2008). Nursing Economics, 26(3): 143-150.
Roxane, S. Restoring caring back into nursing (2004). Nursing Administration Quarterly, 28(4): 255-257.
Question: What is the current image of nursing in society?
While the media may devalue nursing as a profession in shows such as "Gray's Anatomy" by portraying nurses as mere "helpers to doctors," this is not the overall, actual accepted perception of nurses in the public.
Nurses are consistently described as honest and ethical in gallop polls year after year. The public sees nurses as caring - for individuals and the community with hands on help and healing with an ability to make a positive difference (Roxane, 2004). This is in part because, fortunately, an individual's perception of nursing is not singularly shaped by popular prime time television shows. Rather, people are exposed to nursing in a variety of ways including their own personal experience with professional nurses. And, the average person's experience with nursing is that of a positive nature. Additionally, people consistently receive positive images of nurses assisting with disastrous situations in news stories .
In fact, one 2008 Nursing Economics study revealed that "The public sees nursing as combining knowledge, skill, and professionalism with caring (Donelan, Buerhaus, Desroches, Dittus & Dutwin, 2008)."
Therefore, the image of nursing in society is influenced in various ways resulting in an overall positive view of the professional nurse.
Donelan, K., Buerhaus, P., Desroches, C., Dittus, R., Dutwin, D. Public Perceptions of Nursing Careers. (2008). Nursing Economics, 26(3): 143-150.
Roxane, S. Restoring caring back into nursing (2004). Nursing Administration Quarterly, 28(4): 255-257.
Friday, September 19, 2008
Next Topic
At our weekly meeting today, my supervisor, preceptor and I decided to move onto the next area of Obstetrical Nursing: Cesarean Sections.
There are two roles a nurse fills during a c-section, the scrub nurse and the circulating nurse.
In general, the scrub nurse "scrubs" in for the surgery. She fills the sterile role by being an assistant to the surgeon. Sets up sterile equipment, counts, assists during the surgery with instruments and suctioning, etc.
The circulating nurse is not sterile. She is there to coordinate the whole ER including the surgeon, scrub nurse and the baby catcher. She gets any needed equipment or supplies. She records and documents events; makes any necessary phone calls needed. She does the sterile scrubbing and draping of the abdomen. Before the surgery, she prepares the patient with an IV, foley, shave prep and IV fluids. Then, after the cesarean she recovers the patient and the infant.
Moving on.
From now until my cesarean rotation is over, I can probably wake up 1/2 an hour later because it is absolutely useless to spend any time doing my hair in the morning. After one case in the OR with that white cap on my head, there is NO turning back... It's a bad hair day all the way... I might as well just keep the cap on my head from there on out.
There are two roles a nurse fills during a c-section, the scrub nurse and the circulating nurse.
In general, the scrub nurse "scrubs" in for the surgery. She fills the sterile role by being an assistant to the surgeon. Sets up sterile equipment, counts, assists during the surgery with instruments and suctioning, etc.
The circulating nurse is not sterile. She is there to coordinate the whole ER including the surgeon, scrub nurse and the baby catcher. She gets any needed equipment or supplies. She records and documents events; makes any necessary phone calls needed. She does the sterile scrubbing and draping of the abdomen. Before the surgery, she prepares the patient with an IV, foley, shave prep and IV fluids. Then, after the cesarean she recovers the patient and the infant.
Moving on.
From now until my cesarean rotation is over, I can probably wake up 1/2 an hour later because it is absolutely useless to spend any time doing my hair in the morning. After one case in the OR with that white cap on my head, there is NO turning back... It's a bad hair day all the way... I might as well just keep the cap on my head from there on out.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Flying Solo
I wrote last week about the fact that I am now doing postpartum patients independently, without my preceptor.
Well, this week, I am off of orientation during baby catching as well. I caught my first baby by myself yesterday! And, it was the biggest newborn I've ever seen.
I was surely scared and nervous as anything... But that fear kept me focused.
Another good thing happened yesterday: I did 2 successful IVs in a row! I have done them in the past as a nursing student.... But working in Postpartum, I didn't have a lot of exposure to it. I did try, but it was unsuccessful. But, yesterday, I did it - twice.
It was quite the scene the first time I did it. My preceptor sent me into the room by myself with an IV pole and a basket full of IV supplies. I tried to appear confident - I didn't let on this would be my first successful IV as a registered nurse, If - in fact - I even succeeded!
Her veins weren't visible, either. SHOOT!! I thought. Then I put the tourniquet on and rubbed, flicked and slapped the back of her hand, hoping something would surface. It did! I could visualize 2 metacarpal veins. ok. So, I prepared my supplies (at least I thought I had) and I went for it. Success. I hit a vein. I got back flow, so I advanced the cath tip. Then I retracted the needle and then..... what? I didn't have the tubing ready. So this poor lady is bleeding out the cath I just put in her vein and I'm fumbling for the IV tubing!! It's just a good thing I put a chux under her arm before I began. In the end it was a bloody mess with an intact IV. Semi-successful.
My preceptor high fived me when I was done, then I was asked to start another one. I didn't want to push my luck, but knew I HAD to master this elusive skill, so I agreed.
This time I wanted to avoid the blood bath of a fiascal I had last time. So, I had EVERYTHING ready before I started. And, I hit a vein agian! There was barely a dribble of blood after this one. Whew. What a stressful event.
But, it certainly boosted my confidence a little.
It was a good day.
Well, this week, I am off of orientation during baby catching as well. I caught my first baby by myself yesterday! And, it was the biggest newborn I've ever seen.
I was surely scared and nervous as anything... But that fear kept me focused.
Another good thing happened yesterday: I did 2 successful IVs in a row! I have done them in the past as a nursing student.... But working in Postpartum, I didn't have a lot of exposure to it. I did try, but it was unsuccessful. But, yesterday, I did it - twice.
It was quite the scene the first time I did it. My preceptor sent me into the room by myself with an IV pole and a basket full of IV supplies. I tried to appear confident - I didn't let on this would be my first successful IV as a registered nurse, If - in fact - I even succeeded!
Her veins weren't visible, either. SHOOT!! I thought. Then I put the tourniquet on and rubbed, flicked and slapped the back of her hand, hoping something would surface. It did! I could visualize 2 metacarpal veins. ok. So, I prepared my supplies (at least I thought I had) and I went for it. Success. I hit a vein. I got back flow, so I advanced the cath tip. Then I retracted the needle and then..... what? I didn't have the tubing ready. So this poor lady is bleeding out the cath I just put in her vein and I'm fumbling for the IV tubing!! It's just a good thing I put a chux under her arm before I began. In the end it was a bloody mess with an intact IV. Semi-successful.
My preceptor high fived me when I was done, then I was asked to start another one. I didn't want to push my luck, but knew I HAD to master this elusive skill, so I agreed.
This time I wanted to avoid the blood bath of a fiascal I had last time. So, I had EVERYTHING ready before I started. And, I hit a vein agian! There was barely a dribble of blood after this one. Whew. What a stressful event.
But, it certainly boosted my confidence a little.
It was a good day.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Paper #1
With Mark and the kids out of town for the day to a family birthday party, I had plenty of time and quietness to work on the papers I have to write for my nursing class. My goal was to write both, but realistically, getting one paper done will help in getting a head start so the course will not affect our family's sanity - too much.
So, I'm happy to say I wrote one of the papers today and the reference list for the second one. The topic I chose for the first paper ended up being "Preventing MRSA in neonatal nurseries."
Oddly, though, our professor is having us submit our papers online at Turn In In dot-com. I've never used it before, so I'm curious about how it works. Apparently, it is a site that helps professors judge the originality of the paper. My question is, What if you are just a good writer? Will the site judge you "non-original" if you have blatantly copied script from a published source or will having a significantly scholarly paper sound off the alarms?
I'm not saying my writing will be "significantly scholarly" --- But.. what if?
I submitted the paper and we will see, I suppose...because I know that I wrote that darn thing here today....sitting on the couch while taking some breaks to zoom through a recorded Y&R or two.... you know.
So, I'm happy to say I wrote one of the papers today and the reference list for the second one. The topic I chose for the first paper ended up being "Preventing MRSA in neonatal nurseries."
Oddly, though, our professor is having us submit our papers online at Turn In In dot-com. I've never used it before, so I'm curious about how it works. Apparently, it is a site that helps professors judge the originality of the paper. My question is, What if you are just a good writer? Will the site judge you "non-original" if you have blatantly copied script from a published source or will having a significantly scholarly paper sound off the alarms?
I'm not saying my writing will be "significantly scholarly" --- But.. what if?
I submitted the paper and we will see, I suppose...because I know that I wrote that darn thing here today....sitting on the couch while taking some breaks to zoom through a recorded Y&R or two.... you know.
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Choices
I have to write two papers for my current nursing class. I'm having some trouble deciding on the topic. I have a few topics I've been researching lately and would be happy to write about. Which two will fit the assignment best? I don't know.
Here is my short list:
- Nursing screening and interventions for intimate partner violence during pregnancy
- Risk factors for and prevention of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) outbreaks in neonatal nurseries.
- Professional autonomy for midwives
- Watson's theory of human caring
- Strategies to prevent medication errors.
Here is my short list:
- Nursing screening and interventions for intimate partner violence during pregnancy
- Risk factors for and prevention of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) outbreaks in neonatal nurseries.
- Professional autonomy for midwives
- Watson's theory of human caring
- Strategies to prevent medication errors.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
A Real Catch & A Real Nurse
Today for the second time since I started working on OB (only 3 months ago) a nurse had to deliver a baby. The Dr was in surgery and couldn't very well leave an opened abdomen to go catch a baby. I guess it happens more than one would think. Especially at a fast growing hospital like this one is.
All went well. The nurse who caught was very experienced and did a great job. In fact, when I walked into the room at delivery to help "catch" the baby, I didn't even realize it was the nurse delivering. I was focused on grabbing a blanket, putting gloves on and watching how close birth was. The nurse was doing all of the maneuvers the doctor usually does; she was calm. It wasn't until afterwards that I noticed who it was.
Today neither of my preceptors were working. This has happened before and I've just been assigned to work with another nurse for the day. But, starting this week, I am working independently - off of orientation - with postpartum moms and babies; so, I worked independently all day. I felt like a "real" nurse. Yeah! Onward and Upward.
All went well. The nurse who caught was very experienced and did a great job. In fact, when I walked into the room at delivery to help "catch" the baby, I didn't even realize it was the nurse delivering. I was focused on grabbing a blanket, putting gloves on and watching how close birth was. The nurse was doing all of the maneuvers the doctor usually does; she was calm. It wasn't until afterwards that I noticed who it was.
Today neither of my preceptors were working. This has happened before and I've just been assigned to work with another nurse for the day. But, starting this week, I am working independently - off of orientation - with postpartum moms and babies; so, I worked independently all day. I felt like a "real" nurse. Yeah! Onward and Upward.
Monday, September 8, 2008
Fun New Site
I just found a new site (hooray, for days off). It is called Wordle. You go and type in text and it makes a neat creation using the words you type in.
I used a poem I wrote years ago about breastfeeding and the results are kinda neat.
Here it is in "Wordle Mode" (click on it to see it bigger)
And, Here it is in the original format:
"My Best"
As the moons pass month after month
My belly and breasts swell …
Fuller and Rounder - radiating the glow of life within.
I admire the wonders of my womanly body as
My sensuous curves turn motherly
My motherly curves remain sensuous.
Finally, My day arrives.
The day woman becomes mother.
I'm frightened by the surge of energy that comes from a place deep within me I have never known before.
I need comforting,
I need support,
I need a wise woman - a mother to guide me.
As she stands motionless, I sense her presence.
She whispers for me to be strong,
To fully embrace my rite of passage.
To unite with other birthing women around the world who are also laboring with me.
Then, as the wind blows softly through my window it surrounds my body and holds me.
I feel the strength from the women of the world embrace me.
I now welcome the tremendous waves of energy my body produces.
Wave after wave after wave
My body works perfectly to birth my child.
And then, my hand reaches out and touches the unreal, the dreamed of, the perfect head of my precious child.
My baby is entering the world.
This world
So Kind and Cruel
So Joyful and Sorrowful
So Beautiful and Ugly
This is the world I have to offer my child
I vow to provide the best for my precious babe.
I will shelter, protect and nurture this gift from God.
I now offer my breast.
Full and round from months of anticipation.
Naked and ready for my babe's strong suck
I offer my breast.
I offer my best.
I used a poem I wrote years ago about breastfeeding and the results are kinda neat.
Here it is in "Wordle Mode" (click on it to see it bigger)
And, Here it is in the original format:
"My Best"
As the moons pass month after month
My belly and breasts swell …
Fuller and Rounder - radiating the glow of life within.
I admire the wonders of my womanly body as
My sensuous curves turn motherly
My motherly curves remain sensuous.
Finally, My day arrives.
The day woman becomes mother.
I'm frightened by the surge of energy that comes from a place deep within me I have never known before.
I need comforting,
I need support,
I need a wise woman - a mother to guide me.
As she stands motionless, I sense her presence.
She whispers for me to be strong,
To fully embrace my rite of passage.
To unite with other birthing women around the world who are also laboring with me.
Then, as the wind blows softly through my window it surrounds my body and holds me.
I feel the strength from the women of the world embrace me.
I now welcome the tremendous waves of energy my body produces.
Wave after wave after wave
My body works perfectly to birth my child.
And then, my hand reaches out and touches the unreal, the dreamed of, the perfect head of my precious child.
My baby is entering the world.
This world
So Kind and Cruel
So Joyful and Sorrowful
So Beautiful and Ugly
This is the world I have to offer my child
I vow to provide the best for my precious babe.
I will shelter, protect and nurture this gift from God.
I now offer my breast.
Full and round from months of anticipation.
Naked and ready for my babe's strong suck
I offer my breast.
I offer my best.
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Being a "Team Player"
"There's no 'I' in 'Team!"
Right?
I know it, but I'm still feeling frustrated, somewhat. The past week has been crazy busy on OB. In the past 24 hours there were 8 babies born.....8!
And with the babies coming fast and furiously, the staff is stretched to the limit. And, I am finding myself being used as a postpartum nurse, so my preceptor can then take on other patients as well. I know it is best for the "team." But, having it so busy that there isn't time for my preceptor to precept me is.... kinda ... counter-productive. Wouldn't it be more profitable if I could function in all aspects of care independently, rather than just being able to be a postpartum nurse independently? Then, I could help lessen the strain on the staff even more.
I feel like my orientation has been stalled and I am spinning my wheels in postpartum. I can now care for four patients and their newborns proficiently.
But, I am feeling ready to move on. We only did Outpatients two days this week.
I'll wait and see what the next week brings.. Hopefully it will bring some progress and new learning experiences.
Right?
I know it, but I'm still feeling frustrated, somewhat. The past week has been crazy busy on OB. In the past 24 hours there were 8 babies born.....8!
And with the babies coming fast and furiously, the staff is stretched to the limit. And, I am finding myself being used as a postpartum nurse, so my preceptor can then take on other patients as well. I know it is best for the "team." But, having it so busy that there isn't time for my preceptor to precept me is.... kinda ... counter-productive. Wouldn't it be more profitable if I could function in all aspects of care independently, rather than just being able to be a postpartum nurse independently? Then, I could help lessen the strain on the staff even more.
I feel like my orientation has been stalled and I am spinning my wheels in postpartum. I can now care for four patients and their newborns proficiently.
But, I am feeling ready to move on. We only did Outpatients two days this week.
I'll wait and see what the next week brings.. Hopefully it will bring some progress and new learning experiences.
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Credentials
As part of my class towards my BSN, I am asked to answer an opinion based question with adequate support of that opinion. I will share with you here question #2 and my response.
Question:
What do you think should be the entry level of education into professional nursing practice?
My response:
The topic of academic credentialing is one that has fascinated me, personally, for some years now. When I first became interested in childbirth, I slowly realized that I felt lead to become a midwife. One who would calmly guide birthing women during their pregnancies and births, facilitating gently childbirth and peaceful postpartum experiences.
Historically, women received this type of care generally from the women in their families, who would all surround the birthing woman and lend her their strength and enhance her endurance and specifically from the community midwife. However, throughout the years, matriarchal childbirth has faded behind the medicalization that is now commonplace.
In researching my available choices regarding my educational path into midwifery I had to consider many factors. Many of which focused on the "Professionalism" of Midwifery and the formal education required in order to be considered a "Professional."
There are two types of midwives, basically. Direct-entry midwives (those who learn through apprenticeship or direct practice) and Certified Nurse Midwives (those who learned the skill of nursing first, then continued into specialized training to become CNMs).
In my heart, I embraced the direct-entry (home birth) midwives. I value their innate trust in the birthing process and the respect and empowerment they infuse into the women they touch. However, I had serious reservations about the social standing of these midwives in today's society, leaving them open to legal problems and uncertainty.
Home birth midwives are not viewed as "professionals." They do not acquire their knowledge through well-defined academic pathways. Nor do they necessarily have to belong to or adhere to any professional organization or standard of practice. Furthermore, they are not protected by the profession's standards and codes, as outlined in Nunnery (1997).
So, in making my own personal choice about my journey into midwifery, I had to weigh all of the information. Finally, I was led to the decision to submit to the social authority placed on Registered Nurses and Certified Nurse Midwives. In doing so, I am also embracing the umbrella of protection provided by adhering to their established scope of practice, standards and code of ethics.
However, this is not to say that I do not respect direct-entry midwives or their mode of education. In fact, their mode of education make sense to me. The new apprentices learn at the knee of experienced midwife. They learn the process of childbirth inside and out with an experienced provider, hands on.
This process looked more and more appealing to me as I got deeper and deeper into nursing school. I would stay up late into the night making a 6 page nursing care plan for an elderly man with COPD. I would think to myself, "HOW is this going to help me become a good midwife?" I would wonder if my time couldn't be spent more wisely going on prenatals with the community midwife, observing the way she palpated the uterus and identified the presenting part.
But, I would remind myself, society has recognized this pathway, and I was committed to making the best choice for not only me but my family as well.
So, I can see the value in many various modes of education. Formal, academic education in a university surpasses other modes of learning merely by allowing one to become academically credentialed, something that is of high value in our society, perhaps to the point of hindering free trade and inflating the growing job monopoly created by the education-based hierarchy (Collins, 1979). It does not, in my opinion, automatically, make one more knowledgeable, more prepared or more able to provide care for someone.
In today's society it is a necessity to complete a formal academic education in order to provide healthcare. It protects the healthcare provider and the patient alike. Apprenticeships into nursing are not available. Nor, would they be socially acceptable.
Considering the available options of entry into nursing, it is my opinion that it would be acceptable to enter into nursing at the diploma level just as much as the baccallareate level as long as the combination of academic knowlege and skill competency is present.
A single piece of paper does not say all there is to say about ones skill level or ability to provide safe, competent care.
Collins, R. (1979)The credential society. New York. Academic Press, 1979. Retrieved September 2, 2008, from http://home.earthlink.net/~fheapblog/id14.html
Nunnery, R. K. (1997). Advancing Your career: Concepts of Professional Nursing. F. A. Davis Company. Philadelphia, PA.
Question:
What do you think should be the entry level of education into professional nursing practice?
My response:
The topic of academic credentialing is one that has fascinated me, personally, for some years now. When I first became interested in childbirth, I slowly realized that I felt lead to become a midwife. One who would calmly guide birthing women during their pregnancies and births, facilitating gently childbirth and peaceful postpartum experiences.
Historically, women received this type of care generally from the women in their families, who would all surround the birthing woman and lend her their strength and enhance her endurance and specifically from the community midwife. However, throughout the years, matriarchal childbirth has faded behind the medicalization that is now commonplace.
In researching my available choices regarding my educational path into midwifery I had to consider many factors. Many of which focused on the "Professionalism" of Midwifery and the formal education required in order to be considered a "Professional."
There are two types of midwives, basically. Direct-entry midwives (those who learn through apprenticeship or direct practice) and Certified Nurse Midwives (those who learned the skill of nursing first, then continued into specialized training to become CNMs).
In my heart, I embraced the direct-entry (home birth) midwives. I value their innate trust in the birthing process and the respect and empowerment they infuse into the women they touch. However, I had serious reservations about the social standing of these midwives in today's society, leaving them open to legal problems and uncertainty.
Home birth midwives are not viewed as "professionals." They do not acquire their knowledge through well-defined academic pathways. Nor do they necessarily have to belong to or adhere to any professional organization or standard of practice. Furthermore, they are not protected by the profession's standards and codes, as outlined in Nunnery (1997).
So, in making my own personal choice about my journey into midwifery, I had to weigh all of the information. Finally, I was led to the decision to submit to the social authority placed on Registered Nurses and Certified Nurse Midwives. In doing so, I am also embracing the umbrella of protection provided by adhering to their established scope of practice, standards and code of ethics.
However, this is not to say that I do not respect direct-entry midwives or their mode of education. In fact, their mode of education make sense to me. The new apprentices learn at the knee of experienced midwife. They learn the process of childbirth inside and out with an experienced provider, hands on.
This process looked more and more appealing to me as I got deeper and deeper into nursing school. I would stay up late into the night making a 6 page nursing care plan for an elderly man with COPD. I would think to myself, "HOW is this going to help me become a good midwife?" I would wonder if my time couldn't be spent more wisely going on prenatals with the community midwife, observing the way she palpated the uterus and identified the presenting part.
But, I would remind myself, society has recognized this pathway, and I was committed to making the best choice for not only me but my family as well.
So, I can see the value in many various modes of education. Formal, academic education in a university surpasses other modes of learning merely by allowing one to become academically credentialed, something that is of high value in our society, perhaps to the point of hindering free trade and inflating the growing job monopoly created by the education-based hierarchy (Collins, 1979). It does not, in my opinion, automatically, make one more knowledgeable, more prepared or more able to provide care for someone.
In today's society it is a necessity to complete a formal academic education in order to provide healthcare. It protects the healthcare provider and the patient alike. Apprenticeships into nursing are not available. Nor, would they be socially acceptable.
Considering the available options of entry into nursing, it is my opinion that it would be acceptable to enter into nursing at the diploma level just as much as the baccallareate level as long as the combination of academic knowlege and skill competency is present.
A single piece of paper does not say all there is to say about ones skill level or ability to provide safe, competent care.
Collins, R. (1979)The credential society. New York. Academic Press, 1979. Retrieved September 2, 2008, from http://home.earthlink.net/~fheapblog/id14.html
Nunnery, R. K. (1997). Advancing Your career: Concepts of Professional Nursing. F. A. Davis Company. Philadelphia, PA.
A "Profession"
As part of the class I am taking towards my BSN degree, I have to answer opinion based questions with adequate support for those opinions.
I will share with you here question #1 and my response.
Question:
What are the characteristics of a profession? Does nursing currently fulfill the characteristics of a profession?
My Response:
As explained in Nunnery, a profession is a skilled occupation that has received socially granted authority. Knowledge within that profession is achieved and passed on through an established, academic route. The profession is governed by laws and socially established standards and codes. The resulting professionals are included into and guided by the established professional culture manifested by collaboration and support as needed through groups, formally and informally.
I believe nursing does fulfill these characteristics. Socially, nurses are viewed as ethical and honest; and, they are esteemed with respect (Jacobs, 2005). In fact, nurses are consistently ranked among the top professionals who are deemed most trusted by the general public, according to gallup polls. Additionally, the path to becoming a professional nurse is soley through clearly defined academic programs. Then, when one does become a nurse, they are bound by a Code of Ethics and must practice within the nursing scope and standards of practice.
Finally, there are many formal professional nursing organizations that nurses may join for support and collaboration throughout their career.
Nunnery, R. K. (1997). Advancing Your Career: Concepts of Professional Nursing. F. A. Davis Company. Philadelphia, PA.
Jacobs, A.K., MD. (2005). Rebuilding an enduring trust in medicine. Circulation 2005; 111:3494-3498. Retrieved September, 2 2008, from http://www.circ.ahajournals.org/cgi/content/full/111/25/3494
I will share with you here question #1 and my response.
Question:
What are the characteristics of a profession? Does nursing currently fulfill the characteristics of a profession?
My Response:
As explained in Nunnery, a profession is a skilled occupation that has received socially granted authority. Knowledge within that profession is achieved and passed on through an established, academic route. The profession is governed by laws and socially established standards and codes. The resulting professionals are included into and guided by the established professional culture manifested by collaboration and support as needed through groups, formally and informally.
I believe nursing does fulfill these characteristics. Socially, nurses are viewed as ethical and honest; and, they are esteemed with respect (Jacobs, 2005). In fact, nurses are consistently ranked among the top professionals who are deemed most trusted by the general public, according to gallup polls. Additionally, the path to becoming a professional nurse is soley through clearly defined academic programs. Then, when one does become a nurse, they are bound by a Code of Ethics and must practice within the nursing scope and standards of practice.
Finally, there are many formal professional nursing organizations that nurses may join for support and collaboration throughout their career.
Nunnery, R. K. (1997). Advancing Your Career: Concepts of Professional Nursing. F. A. Davis Company. Philadelphia, PA.
Jacobs, A.K., MD. (2005). Rebuilding an enduring trust in medicine. Circulation 2005; 111:3494-3498. Retrieved September, 2 2008, from http://www.circ.ahajournals.org/cgi/content/full/111/25/3494
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