Crunchy Nurses '08

[Serenyd]

Hey just wondering how many other crunchy nurses on MDC. Love to meet some!

[My Tiny Dancer]

I'm a crunchy nurse-to-be. I just started nursing school and will graduate in 2010....if I survive

[clovergirl33]

Hi! I'm glad I saw this thread. I'm a crunchy nurse in MD ... I've been a nurse for almost 3 years, but just started in L&D helping mamas and babies. (I did ER and home care before that) I'm having a terrible struggle assimilating to the hospital birth culture since I don't agree with the majority of the stuff we do, but I am trying to do my time while I work on my midwifery degree. In the mean time I am desperately in search of out of hospital childbirth opportunities, but haven't had any luck yet. Hopefully in the mean time I can help at least a few mamas get the birth they desire but might have had a harder time getting in the hospital with a less understanding nurse...

[Night_Nurse]

I'm semi-crunchy (crunchier than most in my area).
Try being an OB nurse and then delivering your baby at home. Lots of funny stares from the boss and co-workers when that happened!

At my hospital I routinely encounter patients who choose elective c-section, elective induction, routine bottle-feeding, routine circumcisions, the hospital won't "allow" the baby to sleep in the bed w/ mom. etc.

It's difficult on one hand, yet I think my advice to some mainstream mamas out in public may be better received because I work where I do. Meaning, if I talk positively about extended breastfeeding or homebirth, or talk about how I would never circumcise my own child after seeing circs in real life, maybe that mainstream mom might research other stuff because she knows a nurse who has been there, done that, kwim?

[RNmama]

is granola-y the same as crunchy?

Hi!
I'm a nurse and never considered myself crunchy until the other day. One of the nurses at work called me granola-y. I was wearing a pink gingham scrub top which she thought was all hippie. Not sure why?

I currently work telemetry. I became a nurse after the birth of my first son with the intent on going into L&D, thanks to my awesome labor nurse. But no experience=no job. Since then I've had 2 more babies and still have yet to get over there. But I've discovered cardiac is really my passion so I'm happy for now.

So glad to meet other granola-y nurses!

[clovergirl33]

Originally Posted by Night_Nurse

I'm semi-crunchy (crunchier than most in my area).
Try being an OB nurse and then delivering your baby at home. Lots of funny stares from the boss and co-workers when that happened!

At my hospital I routinely encounter patients who choose elective c-section, elective induction, routine bottle-feeding, routine circumcisions, the hospital won't "allow" the baby to sleep in the bed w/ mom. etc.

It's difficult on one hand, yet I think my advice to some mainstream mamas out in public may be better received because I work where I do. Meaning, if I talk positively about extended breastfeeding or homebirth, or talk about how I would never circumcise my own child after seeing circs in real life, maybe that mainstream mom might research other stuff because she knows a nurse who has been there, done that, kwim?

How long have you been doing this? I'm just wondering if it gets easier over time... I just started about 3 months ago and really struggle on a daily basis. I just feel like there's a better way out there, and I wish I could be a part of it....

[alisonh916]

I was excited to see this thread! I have been in public health for 4 years now, before that I was in the hospital on orthopedics. The good thing about where I work is the other nurses are very accepting of my crunchy ways. They in fact are very into alternative healthcare, no vax/selective vax, and breastfeeding. Although there are parts of my job i don't like (such as having to actively promote vaccines) For the most part I handle the STD and the TB clinics which I really like doing. Glad to see there are other crunchy nurses out there!

[Night_Nurse]

Originally Posted by clovergirl33

How long have you been doing this? I'm just wondering if it gets easier over time... I just started about 3 months ago and really struggle on a daily basis. I just feel like there's a better way out there, and I wish I could be a part of it....

I've been doing this for many years (longer than I publicly care to admit - ha ha!). No, it doesn't get easier. It's worse and I'm starting to think it's time for a job change. I'm fine, I'm totally fine with hospital births and I know many women personally who wouldn't even consider not having an automatic epidural. That is fine for them and I appreciate choices in life. But then I get so very discouraged when we have women in for bedrest for duration of pregnancy at 32 weeks because of a few contractions. The patients never question the doctor and just "know" if they go home the baby will be born and die all within 3 minutes. And I just think..."can't we monitor you at home with home health and then you come in if you're in labor"? And then I realize "no, we can't the doctor and hospital won't make nearly as much money that way"!
And I really wish all women would at least try to breast feed and I just HATE the high circumcision rate at my hospital.
I realize not everyone will make the same birthing decisions I have but it's very disheartening to see how many give all the responsibility and credit to their doctors and don't trust in their own bodies, if that makes sense.

The worst is the nurses who have said negative things about homebirth of the moms who refuse vaxs or interventions. A few of them like to mention how "foolish" it is to birth at home because "what about all of those babies and moms who die"???? Hmmmm, yeah, what about the moms and babies who die in the hospital each year??? Oh wait, we don't want to mention that, it's a big secret, just like MRSA. Shhhh, don't tell!

My best advice is to seek work in a progressive OB hospital or even a birthing center if possible. Even in public health you could really educate and open some eyes to different options. I've considered becoming a lactation consultant, that way I could still help people but I'd (hopefully) be working with moms who really want to nurse their babies.

[clovergirl33]

Thanks for the insight, Nightnurse (and hello to everyone else).



The hospital I work for is pretty good, relatively speaking. I interviewed and did share time in 5 different hospitals before choosing this one, and this was the hospital where I had one of my babies naturally with intermittent monitoring. We have a group of midwives, and we are pretty baby friendly. (We are actually going for the "baby friendly" certification or whatever it's called, which would make us the first in the region, I think, but we're not there yet). So things CAN BE done there in a way that is not so bad, but it is few and far between. The majority of patients have pitocin, continuous monitoring, confined to bed, etc.

I love it when people bring in a birth plan and the nurses say "let's just attach the c-section consent right to the birth plan." That is the attitude most of them have. Also I had a nurse give my breastfeeding baby (who was already having problems latching) a bottle while it was boarding in the nursery the other night. Never asked me or the mom .. just fed the baby to "help me out" but couldn't be bothered to finger or cup feed.

It's really the pitocin and stuff like that that bugs me more then the epidurals. I was really scared when I had my babies, so I can understand wanting relief, and had I not gone really fast with my first, I might have wound up going down that road myself. I don't begrudge my patients that. I know what you mean about personal choice, and I totally respect that too. It bothers me, though, when they decide to have an epidural because of lack of support or knowledge (I LOVE how little info the anesthesiologists give before giving epidurals) Overall, I am just sickened by the way we just totally undermine the natural process time and time again (pitocin, pitocin, pitocin)

I HATE circs too...I haven't had to assist with many yet (night shift, yay), but .... ugh. Again circumcision is a matter of personal choice, so I try not to be judgmental (as the mom of 2 intact boys), but to put the baby through that so early (sometimes less than 24 hrs old) is just awful. They are trying to get used to this new world, to learn how to feed, and now we are poking them with needles, cutting them, etc. It really bothers me a lot.... The poor kids need some time. They are so sore and irritable afterward and they don't feed well...it's just hard to watch.

Anyway, I've rambled on enough.. Thanks for listening.

Cindi

[snuffles]

I'm glad this thread was started. I started nursing school a few weeks ago and am probably very crunchy compared to people in this area. I would like to work in L&D but like some of you have expressed, I'm not sure if I would be comfortable with so many interventions. I am strongly considering becoming a lactation consultant at the hospital here and becoming an RN and working in L&D would make that much more feasible.

I had my first test yesterday and will go up to the school this afternoon to get my grade. I am fairly sure I didn't fail but I don't think I did all that well. After I left the exam I kept thinking of test questions and my answers and then realizing that another answer was better.

[marilynmama]

I'm pretty crunchy I think. We selectively vax and my youngest was BF until she was 4 years old, I also home school my girls, that type of thing.

I'm a new RN, just graduated in May and I work in the PICU of a large teaching hospital that is also a level 1 trauma center. So I have been STRESSED OUT from my work. But learning a lot. I'm interested in doing public health later on I think (I think the vax part I'm not very comfortable with but I also see it as a way to educate parents about their children and vax's and hopefully they can make a more educated choice).

NIce to meet you all!

[RNmama]

Hi again everyone

It so nice to be able to discuss beliefs which are definitely in the minority in our profession. I think we are in an awesome position to promote a more holistic and natural way of thinking about health.

I'm not sure if any of you are from CT but our nurses association has had a list out of toxic ingredients in cosmetics and soaps. That is what really got me interested in a more natural lifestyle. I have eliminated all chemical cleansers in my home. I really feel good about making my own soaps, shampoos and house cleansers. Does anyone else do the same?

[alisonh916]

I have eliminated all chemical cleansers in my home. I really feel good about making my own soaps, shampoos and house cleansers. Does anyone else do the same?

I don't make my own soaps, but I do buy soap from someone who handmakes. I also make most of my own housecleaners. I have been very conscious of elminiating toxins/chemicals from my home and lifestyle.

[Autoemesiss]

Just signing in... Am a SAHM at the moment, but teach monthly PALS and was an ER/pedi burns nurse for almost 10yrs before I decided to stay at home.

[fullhandsfullheart]

Hi, y'all! I've been a RN for going on 12 years, do a little bit of everything, but mainly women/children or critical care. Night nurse, I can definitely relate! But among my coworkers are a doula, a midwife, and a former midwife, so at least I'm not alone.

[Redheaded_Momma]

Hello! fullhandsfullheart-I have been a nurse for 12 years too! I only worked in a hospital for 2 years and didn't love it so now I work in public health and am currently working as a school nurse. Yes I get to push vaccines but don't actually have to give them! I just refer them to the local health department. I find myself very torn about vax. My DS had all his shots up to 6 months but haven't done any since. Not sure if we are just delaying or will totally say

I think myself as fairly crunchy especially compared to my collegues but my one of my bff IRL is another MDC momma so we have each other for support and guidance.

[Serenyd]

So nice to meet some other crunchy nurses! I think we're in a unique position to influence others because our patients and members of our communities look up to us and ask us questions. We have the chance to open their minds to alternative, more natural healthcare options, but we still have to be cautious because of our jobs. We get stuck promoting medical intervention we don't agree with. I work med/surg/ortho and have since I graduated 3 yrs ago. I'm in school to be a family nurse practitioner, which has been my goal all along. I'm also studying midwifery on the side ... which is another story. I'd love to explore holistic nursing more, perhaps I can be a holistic fnp I live in the deep south and for some reason people seem to be more resistant to crunchy ideas here and more likely to go along with whatever their doctors recommend without question. Part of it is an education issue and part of it is cultural, I believe. I have to offer the flu and pneumo vax on discharge, and it seems that fewer of my patients are consenting now that I just offer and don't promote. I wonder if they can sense my opinion? I try to be objective though. I have mentioned to a few that I had my last baby at home. Most people, even my colleagues, seem to take this in stride. It's the breastfeeding they don't seem to understand. My coworkers can't believe I'm still pumping for an 8 3/4 mo old baby! They can't believe my body is still producing milk! Lmao .. they usually shut up when I tell them I bf my oldest until he was 3. I haven't tried to work in L&D because I do'nt think I could stand to be a part of the manipulation and deceit that goes on there! I love that some of you are trying to make it a little better for crunchy families! So great to meet all of you. Snuffles, I hope you did well on your test! Keep trying, it gets better once you learn how to take those kinds of tests.

[Redheaded_Momma]

Serenyd-When you become a holistic FNP I would love to be your patient!! Good Luck finding a Dr. who will support your practice. I think that will be the major challenge.

[~NewMa~]

Interesting thread
Right now I'm a SAHM but before I left to have my baby in April (our first) I was working as an RN on a med-surg unit with oncology focus.
I went in to nursing hoping to one day be a midwife and then decided that it wasn't the right time in my life to be doing that particular job and having to be called out of the house and away from my family at all hours of the day/night.
I also then decided I wanted to go into L+D but now I'm not so sure!
I've spent the last 5 years on med-surg, the last year or so I was really unhappy with my job just feeling like it's such a thankless, degrading thing to do.
I think what I really needed was a change.
I've been home now since I was 32 weeks (minor complications) and now Levi is 5 months old.
I really should be going back to work about now because money's getting tight, but I dread the idea!!!!!!
I know I don't want to go back to med-surg and I'm reluctant to do L+D because I don't agree with the way birth is handled in the hospital.
I had my baby at home and occasionally assist a home birth midwife and love the natural birth process.
Most of my coworkers were not supportive of my birthing at home.
One of my coworkers called me a "big time farmer girl" when I told him I planned to deliver at home! He said he never met someone so "country"! WTH!
Anyway...
I think I'm going through my midlife crisis right now!
I should go back to work but being away from work has made me realize how unhappy I was.
I'd LOVE to go back to school for massage but can't afford it right now and don't have the time to both work and go to school.
I feel like I'm never going to resolve this issue and I'll be stuck in a job I hate
I've always been on the crunchy side but being a nurse has made me realize how insensitive and harsh western medicine can be.
I feel like a hypocrite doing some of the things I do at work when I so don't agree with them (i.e. handing out cups full of pills to people)

Urrrm, ok- sorry!
Enough ranting for now, you catch my drift, right?...

[lauriem33]

NewMa, I could have written so many things in your post exactly! I've been a sahm for 11 years and last fall I took the cna class to get on the wait list for the RN program (already have a useless BA). In my mind the plan was to work L&D and someday move on to become a midwife... Then I had the same thoughts, first about the crap hours I'd have to work as a nurse, and then the unpredictable ones as a midwife. I just don't think it's the right profession for me with young(ish) kids right now. Plus I'd want to do a birth center or homebirth practice, not a CNM in a hospital so what's the point of getting my nursing degree anyway?

Then the more I thought about how I personally don't subscribe to much in western medicine, the more I thought how could I continue day after day going against those beliefs? Starting with having to get a bunch of vaxes just to go to school myself. I just can't see going through with any of it at this point.... So I'm still trying to decide what I want to be when I grow up.