2 Years

This week marks 2 years that I have been working as a Labor and Delivery Nurse. The time flew by... I know it's so cliche to say so... But it feels like it!

I have had many experiences in the short 2 years I've been doing this and I've learned a ton. I've cried more than a couple times... some times out of joy sometimes out of sadness and even out of frustration.

Some of the memories I've made will stay with me forever - I hope.

I remember my first medication error. I thought I would just die... I administered someone a percocet instead of a Tylenol with codeine. Thankfully, it wasn't a grand error in the scheme of things... But it did make me a better nurse. I became even more vigilant when administering medications to patients. The best way for me to learn, I've found is to actually get in there, do it and learn from my mistakes. Our hospital's medication administration system is antique to say it nicely... and this coming year we will be updating it to the "bar-code" system... which will aid in preventing further errors like this one that devastated me as a new nurse.

I remember the first time I had to resuscitate an unresponsive newborn. I've gone through many certifications as a new maternity nurse, but the one I use most often - even daily - is my neonatal resuscitation certification.... That combined with my ever available co-workers make "catching a baby" one of my favorite things to do.... Thankfully it is few and far between that I actually have to put into action the resuscitation measures ... but it has happened a couple times... all with good outcomes.

I remember the handful of times I got the privilege of delivering the babies - when the doctors didn't make it to the birth in time. It is an awe-inspiring event for you to be the first set of hands that touch the fresh, new baby... Yours are the hands that check for the nuchal cord... that gently guide the head and shoulders over the perineum... It is just awesome and part of what motivates me to keep moving forward towards my ultimate goal of being a midwife.

I remember with sadness the few fetal demises I had the opportunity to be a part of. The heaviness in that room when the breathless baby enters the world... Never to take it's first breath or cry its first cry... It stays with you forever.... Peace little ones...

I remember the joy of attending my first VBAC and first vaginal breech birth with our new rouge, trail-blazing physician, whom I absolutely LOVE!!!

I've been blessed to have been led to this particular place of employment as my first experience as a labor and delivery nurse. I kind of thought I would find aspects of this job I liked... But overall I thought it was going to be a necessary step towards the direction I feel compelled to head into; But, I have honestly come to absolutely LOVE being a labor and delivery NURSE.... Yes, it is still a necessary step towards my goal of becoming a certified nurse midwife... But it is a step I will cherish forever and one I could honestly be very happy at for a long time.