[NewOrleansLady]

I was just hired as an extern in the well-baby nursery & I'm VERY excited. My only problem is that I'm so nervous because I feel like I don't know anything! I don't do my maternal/newborn rotation until April, so I may not start working until after then. But I still feel like I will be all over the place and look stupid. I know I should go in there with confidence, which I will try to do, but I was just wondering if anyone had some advice on how things work in the nursery. I will mostly be doing PCT work, so can anybody tell me what that consists of? THanks so MUCH!


* Amy *
* 2nd semester clinicals * BSN program * Louisiana College *

[NewOrleansLady]

ANybody?

[Soup Turtle]

I have no idea how things work, but it sounds exciting. I'm sure others will show you what you need to know and you'll be a little ahead when it is time to hit the books.

[Jme2007]

I wouldnt worry about what you know or dont. Just tell whomever is preceepting you that you are eager to learn and go from there! It will be fun and you will probably feed, diaper and swaddle the babies. They may teach you how to assess the babies with the help of the RN. Other things nursery nurses do are heelsticks for labs, BS testing, and PKU's. Maybe you might assist with a circumcision or set up phototherapy. I am sure there will be people to guide you and enjoy your time with the babies!

[NewOrleansLady]

thanks

[WDWpixieRN]

That sounds very cool....I am not generally interested at this time as working as a PCT or CNA in a med/surg setting, but working with the babies sounds really great....congrats!! I may go look online to see if any of the hospitals have openings in their nurseries around here!!

[SAHStudent]

No advice or anything...just jealous.

I can't do any extern programs. The one I REALLY wanted to do and apparently have an "in" that I just found out about...can't do it because the program starts before my school ends. I would have paid them to let me do it....that's how much I wanted it.

My school is offering an OR extern program but I have no interest in that field and so for me it's not worth the stress of getting a sitter to watch kids while I do it.

But your opportunity has me jealous. Have fun!

[NewOrleansLady]

Yeah almost everyone in my class is trying to get an externship, luckily we have three hospitals here in town that are offering them.
I felt the same way though.. I would have "paid them to let me do it" haha
My exact words to the lady were "It's not about the money, I just really want to be here"
It was fun going shopping for "real" scrubs instead of stupid white school scrubs!

I never had any experience in a hospital before nursing school, so I really feel like I "have" to do this job so I will have more experience than just clinicals.
I think all hospitals should be BEGGING nursing students to work for them! Since we have this huge "nursing shortage" and everything, it's strange to me that how hard it is for a nursing student to get their foot in the door.

[SAHStudent]

Originally Posted by NewOrleansLady

Yeah almost everyone in my class is trying to get an externship, luckily we have three hospitals here in town that are offering them.
I felt the same way though.. I would have "paid them to let me do it" haha
My exact words to the lady were "It's not about the money, I just really want to be here"
It was fun going shopping for "real" scrubs instead of stupid white school scrubs!

I never had any experience in a hospital before nursing school, so I really feel like I "have" to do this job so I will have more experience than just clinicals.
I think all hospitals should be BEGGING nursing students to work for them! Since we have this huge "nursing shortage" and everything, it's strange to me that how hard it is for a nursing student to get their foot in the door.

It sounds like this is really going to be a positive experience for you. You won't only be able to apply what you are learning but getting the experience of being in the hospital other then clinicals will make you feel so much more comfortable in clinicals and later on.

My program is practically year round so I'm stuck unless I find something during the day and that's just not possibly with 3+ kids either.

Good luck, congratulations, have fun and enjoy!