From another HBLC:
Can we have an honest discussion on any favorite tips on how to keep
focused, postive and avoid burnout. We live in an area where there are NO
private practice LC's to speak of. There are only two rental stations, both
hospital based and so for the community we feel like we are "it". We do have
active LLL in the area, however which we do give info to each and every
patient. We would ,ove to have someone to refer some of our mothers to for
home visits, etc.
Our hospital has not been interested in pursuing charging insurances for LC
services for outpatients, but expects us to charge the patients directly. We
are not happy about doing this, as we feel it should be a reimbursable
service and so we are at an impasse.
It seems like we see more and more patients with LATCH problems for various
and sundry reasons mostly because if they've not breastfed well by 12 hours
the babies are considered abnormal and while I am comfortable in giving
babies a 24 hour grace period and offering small amounts of colostrum by
eyedropper or syringe, I see staff using more and more supplements, shields
and not respecting newborn sleep and activity patterns. This is a direct
result of too much to do, to little time to do it. They just want these
babies to eat - period. And I feel I have a 85% supportive staff.
I addition to newborn hearing tests, NPO for circs, paternity issues,doctor
visits, baby photography, teaching, visitors and shaken baby info, it's a
wonder parents can take in much of anything about breastfeeding, and yet
that is one of the most if not the most important issue. Now the AAP would
like us to place near term babies in car seats for up to an hour prior to
discharge, so we can make sure they do not have an airway obstruction by
montoring oxygen saturations. This will be yet another thing that will keep
babies from being allowed to be with their mothers, as this can only be
monitored well in the nursery .
Recently, I've returned from a few vactation days and it only took me one
rainy, dreary day at work and having two no LATCH term babies with
ambivalent mothers who have sapped my energy big time. I've been an LC for
13 years and started out loving what I do. Now, because we focus on seeing
those that are in need and because there are so many mothers and babies who
are "needy" what I miss most is seeing the joy of babies doing well at the
breast on a daily basis.
Sorry for the lengthy post - it is heartfelt. Patience sometimes is not seen
by some as a virtue in a busy hospital setting and today my normally patient
personality is wearing thin.
Seriously, though lets have a frank sharing talk about what keeps us knowing
our work is important, valued and respected and what things can keep us
motivated by avoiding burnout. (Lactnet is one HUGE plus for me, I will
admit!)
Warmly,
LuAnn Smith RN, BSN, IBCLC
On a dreary, chilly rainy day in central PA
_________________________________________________________________
Add photos to your messages with MSN 8. Get 2 months FREE*.
http://join.msn.com/?page=features/featuredemail
***********************************************
To temporarily stop your subscription: set lactnet nomail
To start it again: set lactnet mail (or digest)
To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet
All commands go to [log in to unmask]
The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned
LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(TM)
mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to:
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html
|
