[JadziaSolo]

I've decided that I want to return to Labor and Delivery nursing (I had 13 years experience), I've worked in the OR the last 5 years.
The place I have applied to is also running a nurse internship soon, and is interviewing new grads for those positions.
I have already interviewed for a day position (last Thursday) and found out today that they still have "several more interviews", but I was invited to the Open House on Saturday.
I guess my questions would be, how do I go about making myself more "desireable" and how do I compete with new grads (and their lower saleries)? Will my experience (though it's 5 years old) be enough?
Please don't misunderstand me, I like teaching new nurses, I've precepted a few!

[Anagray]

<<<I guess my questions would be, how do I go about making myself more "desireable" >>
I am thinking that any employer would be looking forward to have you as an employee. Problem with new grads is : yes, they are "cheap", but they are a high risk because a) some of them do not like the floor and quit b) work for 6 months and transfer. Some of your great attributes would be: good attendence record, management as well as clinical experience, not plans to move anywhere, etc. I think you are quite desireable as it is.
Good luck!
Nat

[GoLytely]

From a patient's perspective...
try to remember you are there for the patients, they are not there for you.
I encountered this attitude recently when I had a false alarm with my pregnancy, I became concerned, went to the maternity ward like I had been told to do dozens of times if I had any concerns, and the nurse there acted like I was putting her out because she took my V/S and hooked me to a monitor for an hour. I already felt embarrassed enough that I went there for nothing, but now I'm afraid to after business hours even if I feel like it's the real thing.
When you've been in a place long enough to become cynical and assume every pregnant woman who comes in with false labor has ulterior motives (i.e. looking for an induction so she doesn't have to be pregnant anymore, looking to manipulate the staff, doing it for attention, etc.) it is time to move on (I know I'm out of LTC and won't go back because I don't have the patience to deal with it anymore).
I also know L&D would not be for me, so I won't even try to go there. It takes a special person to be an OB nurse.

[EricEnfermero]

Good luck JadziaSolo! Moved your thread to the OB-Gyn Nursing Forum for continued responses.

[JadziaSolo]

Motorcycle mama-
"When you've been in a place long enough to become cynical and assume every pregnant woman who comes in with false labor has ulterior motives (i.e. looking for an induction so she doesn't have to be pregnant anymore, looking to manipulate the staff, doing it for attention, etc.) it is time to move on (I know I'm out of LTC and won't go back because I don't have the patience to deal with it anymore)."

We're ALL here for the patient.
I've seen too many women come in and say "I don't want to be a problem" and present in preterm labor or PIH or whatever to ever find them inconvienient or an annoyance. I hated working with those few coworkers (and their doctors for that matter) that were like that! I am so sorry you had that experience. I want to assure you that I care too way much to ever be like the nurses you've described.
So, please, continue to go to L&D if you need to. Seriously. And congratulations, best of luck in the rest of your pregnancy!!!

[JadziaSolo]

Originally Posted by Anagray

<<<I guess my questions would be, how do I go about making myself more "desireable" >>
I am thinking that any employer would be looking forward to have you as an employee. Problem with new grads is : yes, they are "cheap", but they are a high risk because a) some of them do not like the floor and quit b) work for 6 months and transfer. Some of your great attributes would be: good attendence record, management as well as clinical experience, not plans to move anywhere, etc. I think you are quite desireable as it is.
Good luck!
Nat

Thanks Anagray! I'm so glad that I started posting (as opposed to 'lurking'), you guys have been soooo encouraging!