You can teach an old nurse new tricks

So, I'm on my third new nurse to precept now. My first night with her was last night... She comes from a state many states away from us... she used to work in a large hospital where they moved people through in an assembly line type fashion.. In the door, epidural in, pit going, baby out.. moved to post partum... next patient... She also typically cared for 2 laboring patients at a time. Well, we have the luxury most nights of having one-on-one nursing care for our laboring mothers.

When we came on our shift we were assigned to a woman who was 8cms. She had no pitocin and no epidural. So, I told my preceptee that we would be getting the woman out of bed and in some type of water... it could be the jacuzzi tub or the shower.. whatever.. no woman should have to do transition without an epidural OUT of the water... In my opinion... The new nurse was astounded... First of all when I suggested we get her out of bed to urinate she couldn't believe it... She said they never would have done that... Let alone get her out of bed to take a long hot shower... Well, we did it... we got mom in the shower and she was LOVING it....

This nurse who had been a L&D nurse for several years (in the teens) said she felt like a new nurse on the job last night... She said she never stayed with her patients in labor... we stayed in the bathroom with her spraying her back with hot water and massaging her .... She couldn't believe the way we practiced nursing.... And, when I went to get the patient in hands and knees she said to me she has NEVER had a patient in that position. Ever. In that many years of nursing. Wow...

Well, I guess she learned a few new tricks from this younger nurse last night... Nice healthy 9 pound baby born direct OP!