Reflections
My Reflection on Rotations By Maria E . Martinez
I
have been fortunate enough to share several memorable and emotional experiences with the patients that I have come across during my clinical rotations . As a nursing student , one can only look forward to these meaningful moments that solidify my passion for nursing although I am enduring high levels or stress while completing school and being involved in extracurricular events and organizations . I have had three most beautiful experiences during my obstetrics rotations that have motivated me to push further in school so that I can one day live these moments daily .
in mind and worked together to make sure that the delivery process went smoothly . Hearing everyone encourage the mom while she pushed , the father taking pictures on his phone while he dried his tears with his shirt , and the daughter tippy toeing to get a good view of her baby sister being born , were all images that I will never forget . Next thing I knew , I was also tearing up as I saw the baby ’ s head come out as the mom used all her strength to give those last vital pushes .
I will never forget my first rotation in obstetrics which was in the labor and delivery unit at my local county hospital . I was eager , yet nervous , to step into the unit due to the fact that I had never before seen a delivery in person , besides our robotic mannequins during lab . I was assigned to a nurse who only had one patient that day . The patient was not progressing in dilation , therefore we were not sure if I was going to be able to see her deliver before the end of my rotation at 12pm . The hours went by and my excitement began to diminish as I realized I was going to leave the unit without sharing that experience with my patient . At around 11:30am , the nurse ran to me and told me that the mother was complete and was getting ready to push . I quickly ran into the crowded room full of residents and doctors and found a little corner where I could get a view of the delivery . Within the span of several minutes , the delivery process had started and everyone began to move closer to the bedside . We all had one goal
Once the baby was out I felt this overwhelming joy and relief that I had never experienced before . They assessed the baby and after one minute , she was able to lay on her mother ’ s chest . We cleaned up the room , organized everything that got out of place , and there was an overwhelming sense of peace that had entered the room . I am eternally grateful that I was able to witness and share such a life-changing moment with one of my patients . I was there for that baby ’ s first day of life and all I can say is that it was such an honor . I went from sitting at the nurse ’ s station monitoring the fetal heart rate for hours , to witnessing the miracle of life .
For my third rotation in obstetrics , I was able to spend a day at the NICU . This was a very different experience from all of my other rotations . I had worked with vulnerable and sick people before , but caring for a vulnerable new born was a mix of emotions .
48 NSNA IMPRINT • APRIL / MAY 2023 • www . nsna . org