My Chosen Profession : Obstetric Nursing

Many years ago I chose my studies to begin a career in the medical field. My original goal was to become a Pediatrician. However, at the end of my bachelor’s degree and after many hours spent volunteering at Miami Children’s Hospital, I decided that I wanted a career that would give me more patient provider interaction. I spoke with several doctors, nurses, and other health care providers and decided the best career for me was a Nurse Practitioner. I still have not decided on a specialty but I feel that path will come naturally with

Multidimensional and profound, taking on a nursing career is more than simply acquiring an occupation. As explained by Shwartz (1904), “Nursing should always be spoken of and looked upon as a profession” (p. 834). What is a profession? “A profession is responsible for developing and overseeing its standards and for communicating those standards to the public. The public in turn has a right to demand that the profession adhere to those standards” (Fowler, 2015, p.122). Getting a grasp of this definition

Over the years birthing methods have changed a great deal. When technology wasn’t so advanced there was only one method of giving birth, vaginally non-medicated. However, in today’s society there are now more than one method of giving birth. In fact, there are three methods: Non-medicated vaginal delivery, medicated vaginal delivery and cesarean delivery, also known as c-section. In the cesarean delivery there is not much to prepare for before the operation, except maybe the procedure of the operation. A few things that will be discussed are: the process of cesarean delivery, reasons for this birthing method and a few reasons for why this birthing method is used. Also a question that many women have is whether or not they can vaginally

The career I chose is a Neonatal Nurse. According to an article on work.chron.com, there are three levels of neonatal nursing. A level 1 neonatal nursery offers care to healthy newborns. A level 2 neonatal nursery holds infants born prematurely or with an illness. A level 3 neonatal nursery, usually called a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), provides care to infants who are premature, brutally ill or too small. Infants admitted to a NICU may require ventilators, incubators or surgery. (Williams) The duties of a Neonatal Nurse include holding and comforting newborns, changing their diapers, feeding them and ensuring they gain the appropriate amount of weight, giving them the correct medication and the correct amount and

As a young child, I was always drawn towards the field of health care. I remember reading about the many options that are held within it and wondering what path it would lead me on. Neonatal nursing was something that always came into my mind, but it was often pushed to the side by people and teachers who thought I should become a pediatrician instead. This became a real struggle for me, but as I grew up and began researching and exploring the health care field I came to a decision for myself. I came to the realization that everyone was wrong. I didn’t want to be a doctor at all. This sudden burst of independence from what everyone else wanted was the first step to reaching my end goal. Along with this, an accelerated education, volunteer

Because of these changes, my interests in nursing have been influenced by circumstance. From the very beginning of my journey, I had a strong interest in becoming a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA), but because of the need to relocate for my husband’s job, becoming a CRNA was no longer an option due to location. After reevaluating my options, I have established a new interest in becoming a Family Nurse Practitioner, but because of my academic marathon and because of my age, I have also considered foregoing the additional education past a BSN. Other areas of interest include the Emergency Room, Cardiology, Critical Care, and Neurology. All of my career options interest me because they provide challenge and constant change. Hopefully the remainder of my academic journey will help solidify my ultimate career goal in the nursing profession.

I am pleased to state that I have been a registered nurse for forty years. At this moment, I continue working in nursing while pursuing my Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. My intended month of completion is October 2012. My experience in nursing education has motivated me to continue my education and pursue a Masters degree in a nursing related field commencing in 2013. Thus, in terms of my career planning, my education is a crucial part to my professional development. Extending and deepening one's education, especially within the career field of one's choice, can only bring upon additional professional opportunities as well as opportunities for personal growth. My career planning includes building upon my decades of experience in obstetrics, my particular area of specialty, expertise, and passion, with the assistance and addition of higher education. I believe in terms of career planning, my strengths include foresight, preparation, internal motivation, and focus.

When I was pregnant with my daughter, my practitioner was a Certified Nurse Midwife. I was blessed with a relatively smooth pregnancy, and a provider who took care of my mind and body. I had a water birth with my daughter, which was a life changing experience for both of us. It allowed for her to have a smooth transition into this world surrounded by our family. It was the spark for me to say that maybe I could be the person to help others have the same amazing experience. When I asked my CNM how to do what she does, she said first things first; I had to become a nurse. Eventually, I did become a nurse, although I did not end up in labor and delivery as I first intended. Nevertheless, I landed in medical/surgical oncology, and it would seem that is where I belonged all along.

In some point in time, during a person’s life they run into the question what do I want to be? They must find a career that they will enjoy or the time that they have spent in class and studying will be in vain. While doing research on the Georgia Career Information Center and from the constant idea throughout my life I have decided that I want to become a registered nurse. The type of work environment, the salary that the job provides and flexibility with work hours are all things that have drawn me to this occupation. I want to specialize in Neonatal. I have always enjoyed caring for people and making a difference to someone. When you become a nurse these are just some of the things that you are able to accomplish. Becoming a registered

When I was younger I always knew I wanted to be in the medical field. I've gone through many different occupations that have interested me. After I shadowed I think I have found a job that I could really enjoy. Labor And Delivery Nurses are very hard working people, they work long hours and have to take care of not only the newborns, but the families too. I decided to choose this career because I love the idea of being able to take care of babies, and help the laboring moms. There’s just something about bringing a little life into the world that seems amazing.

There are various stages of labor. According to Chuma, Kihunrwa, Matovelo, and Mahendeka (2014) the initial stage of labor occurs at the onset of cervical change to complete cervical dilatation, and is further divided into latent and active phases (Chuma, Kihunrwa, Matovelo, & Mahendeka, 2014). When the cervix starts to efface and dilate up to 3cm, this is considered to be the latent phase. The active phase is declared when cervical dilatation increases, and occurs from 4 cm to 10 cm (Chuma, Kihunrwa, Matovelo, & Mahendeka, 2014).

Pregnancy and childbirth are a part of nature. Delivering a child can be a beautiful experience. However, delivery can also be very painful and can last for days.

Giving birth is something that happens many times daily all over the world. Though many people who have not experienced giving birth, such as men, may think all the woman has to do is push a couple times and it's over, that is not the case. There are three stages to giving birth according to BabyCentre including contractions, pushing, and delivering the placenta.

Birth of a child can be such a happy time, especially when the little one is very healthy. We all have seen the movies when a new child is born, some of us are lucky to see it first hand. Some of us do get goose bumps, me being one of them. It is just so exciting to see that little life come out of what has been in that big belly for nine months. We sometimes refer to the birth of a child as labor. If only it was as easy as the name sounds. However, it is not. There are three main stages in birth. The first stage is the longest stage that can last 12 to 14 hours with the first birth, and later births are shorter. Dilation and effacement of the cervix take place here. That is when the uterine contractions gradually become more frequent and

ood development I have learned so many things that will help benefit my future career as a Registered Nurse working to become a Midwife or Obstetrician/Gynecologist . As well as my life in general, as I want to be a mother one day.