Advice needed for Role Transition in L and D

[Newgradsoon]

Hello. I am a RN student finishing up my last few weeks of schooling ( graduation is march 2011) I am so thrilled to be doing my role transition on a labor and delivery unit with a preceptor. ( 150 hrs of role transition is required in my state before taking the NCLEX ) I am posting because any advice on what I should study, what to say, what not to say Etc. Would be so very appreciated. I am really hoping I do a fantastic job and possibly have this opportunity turn into a job position. I am the only student in my school that they are allowing to do role transition in L and D. I have a GPA of 3.7 and I have worked so hard to make my dream of becoming a l and d nurse come true. Any advice on how to possibly increase my chances of getting hired onto the floor would be great! Has any nurses gotten jobs after doing role transition on a floor or seen it happen? Thank you !

[QTBabyNurse, BSN, RN]

we weren't allowed to do ours in l&d, however, right after i passed the nclex i was hired into l&d which many people said couldn't be done at the time. i would just let the director and fellow nurses on the unit know that is where you would like to work after graduation.

also, ask questions about what you don't understand, don't just assume to know. no floor likes to see a newbie thinking that they "know everything"....because that can be very dangerous to the patients. get to know your fellow nurses and do not participate in gossip. open yourself up to any new experience that can give you an opportunity for growth. spend some of your down time learning about new concepts or research being done on a particular area in l&d and share that with your colleagues on the unit. jump in to assist fellow nurses during your shift with the mundane tasks on the unit such as stocking, etc. :zzzzz

in regards to a good resource is the book awhonn's "core curriculum for maternal-newborn nursing"...it's kind of expensive $50-60 on amazon. however if you are wanting to stay in l&d, it is an invaluable resource that you will use again and again.

i hope your thoroughly enjoy your time in l&d and good luck with your last few months of nursing school!

[ocean waves]

Hello. Congratulations on your approval to do role transition in a labor and delivery unit ! Regarding your question of "how to increase chances of getting hired on the floor" , the guidelines seem to be different for each medical facility. For example, at some hospitals where I have worked, nursing students who had completed their nursing programs and were waiting to take licensure exams were hired with a contract pending good evaluations of their work and passing of the exams. I agree with the writer who said that good approaches toward being selected as a nursing employee include to "ask professional questions about any patient care you are not sure of" and to "jump in to assist fellow nurses on your shift". In other words, give great safe patient care and be a good team player. Best wishes!