Go placidly amid the laboring patients, and remember what peace there may be in coffee breaks. As far as possible and without surrender, be on good terms with the unit secretary, for she controls everything. Speak Lamaze quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even coaches who sit watching TV, occasionally mumbling “breathe honey, breathe”; they too have their story.
Take not the words of loud and aggressive patients to heart; an apology often follows delivery. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter; for always there will be those who mistake a patient for complete when she’s really only two centimeters! Enjoy each delivery as if it were your first. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of the modern health care system. (So true)
Exercise caution in your charting; for the world is full of lawyers! But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive to successfully VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean) and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself. Especially do not feign knowledge. It is better to ask a stupid question than to make a stupid mistake. And do not be cynical about screaming primips (first baby) at one centimeter; for in the face of all pain and disenchantment they are as perennial as nursing students.
Take kindly the counsel of the unit manager, for she is just doing her job. Nurture the accumulation of overtime to shield you in times of low census. But do not distress yourself with imaginings. Many fears are born of the prospect of not getting your patient delivered in time to watch Star Trek (or substitute something else)! Beyond a wholesome firmness, be gentle with your patients. You are a labor and delivery nurse, no less than the obstetricians and the midwives. You have a right to be here!
And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe will fall apart as soon as you sign out. Therefore, be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him or Her to be, and whatever labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of shift change, keep peace with your soul.
Because with all its sham, drudgery, and popcorn trodden in the carpet, this is still a beautiful unit. So be careful. Strive to be happy, and don’t go home with the narc keys in your pocket!
THANKS TO THE AUTHOR, RAY SPOONER
PS Yes I love this. And though I haven’t worked on an L&D unit for a very long time, it still speaks to me. And… ALWAYS BE KIND TO YOUR NURSE.
4 Responses
So funny and profound at the same time. I have unending admiration for all medical professionals, especially those in the maternity ward. I remember how scared I was and Sue, my nurse for both babies, was a godsend. I’m friends with her on Facebook! She’ll always be special to me.
So happy that you had an nurse that you could trust and love for both your children. I had one
patient call me on the phone…because I had also done some work with her pre-delivery. We were trying
to help young teens understand what it means to BE A MOTHER. She called to thank me…my major advice..talk
to you baby, from the very beginning, talk to your child. She did. She was delighted with the results.
I do love a good play on the Desiderata!
Thanks, Carol.You are one amazing woman!! Beth