Vaginal Exams

I've never had a nurse perform a vaginal exam on me, nor have I ever heard of a nurse performing them.

So as a Fundamental's student, why am I learning how perform these exams?

As a nurse, how often do you perform them, or have you ever performed one?
Are you referring to vag exams with a speculum? I do them frequently because I'm also a SANE. But I imagine if you worked L&D (I never have, so just my thought) that you'd be doing vaginal exams to check for dilation and effacement (though not necessarily with a speculum).

Nurses doing vaginal exams are generally employed in Labor and Delivery. They are a necessary part of the assessment for progress of labor. The technique for assessing cervical effacement and dilation is learned on the job (it takes practice). A nurse in advanced practice may also do pelvic exams (not associated with progress of labor) as part of routine gynelogic care.

Quote from herasheisI've never had a nurse perform a vaginal exam on me, nor have I ever heard of a nurse performing them. So as a Fundamental's student, why am I learning how perform these exams?As a nurse, how often do you perform them, or have you ever performed one?

as a student, I also learned, and have never done one..... since I stayed as far away from L&D as possible! but that is part of the assessment the L&D nurses do at our facility. there are a lot of things I learned in Nursing school that I have never done..... almost as many things as I do every day that I never learned in nursing school! and I figure, even on those things that I never will do, it is a benifit that I know how to do them, or about them, since all of that leads to patient education

Quote from AnisettesI do them frequently because I'm a SANE. But I imagine if you worked L&D (I never have, so just my thought) that you'd be doing vaginal exams to check for dilation and effacement.

SANE is a nurse that deals with Sexual assault victims. (I am pretty sure that is the one I am thinking of) they are specially trained and gather evidence. We learned how to do them for our L&D rotation (sortof) but weren't allowed to do them in that clinical because if you did work for L&D you would get further training on it and practice than. Probably one of those things where they cover everything so you have a basic knowledge.

Quote from iteachobI just re-read your post.......you're learning to perform them as a fundamentals student? To check for cervical dilation? or with a speculum? Not that it matters, I've not heard of that before (and I've been teaching for 15 years).

I would assume you have to learn so you can at least explain them to a patient if they had questions.

Quote from ~Mi Vida Loca~SANE is a nurse that deals with Sexual assault victims. (I am pretty sure that is the one I am thinking of) they are specially trained and gather evidence. We learned how to do them for our L&D rotation (sortof) but weren't allowed to do them in that clinical because if you did work for L&D you would get further training on it and practice than. Probably one of those things where they cover everything so you have a basic knowledge.

Quote from herasheisSure, I understand working with L&D--only makes sense, but I'm only in my first semester and will not be performing these exams for at least two more semesters. You don't think it's a little soon to learn this exam?What's a SANE?

Fundamental is basic assessments etc, it's a building block.. They are just exposing you to this part of an assessment;so you are familiar with it just as you would be with other types of assessments and the equipment used. Just go with the flow, take in as much info as you can.. Somewhere down the road it all comes together

Quote from VivaLasViejasSANE=Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner