I want them to keep me. What can I do to be the best Ob nurse I can be?

[Bellatrix.]

Hello all,

I'm a new grad that just started a full time residency on a Mother/Baby unit. I'm one of four. 4 were also hired onto L&D. I'm very lucky and grateful to get in my dream unit and hospital so soon.

Unfortunately the position ends in the spring time, but I was told there's a chance of them letting us keep our positions. But there's so many experienced nurses working here already, so I don't know. I feel like I'm in a competition. Ultimately I would love to work in L&D at this hospital.

I just want some tips on how to be so great they'll want to keep me and be willing to accept be into l&d.

I'm aware of resume boosters and such but I'm mostly in need of advice on actually working on the floor

Thank you

[klone, MSN, RN]

Always show up for your scheduled shifts. Don't call off or ask people to take your shifts. Sign up for extra shifts if they need someone. Always be 10 minutes early for your shifts. Be a team player - if you're not doing something at the moment, ask your coworkers what you can do to help them. If you see a call light go off, answer it, even if it's not your patient. If you feel like you need more experience in doing specific tasks (IV starts, phlebotomy, foley insertions, etc), ask the other nurses if you can help them when they need to perform these tasks. Always be friendly, cheerful, and seem as if you enjoy being there.

You do those things, I can almost guarantee they'll keep you.

[KatieMI, BSN, MSN, RN]

klone,

in my own time, I did it all and much more of it diligently, and I still live with the results of what those so-called "nurses" did with me.

OP, I do not want to be a naysayer, but if there are four of you and the unit is not a totally rotating door place, then you are indeed competing, and most probably not for the nomination of "the best, smartest and most cheerful" one but for the position of the best new buddy on the playground. It may or may not have anything at all in common with your abilities as a nurse. Coming in time and being a team player all works great but very well may not be enough, so keep your eye on local job postings and do not believe anyone's single word until you see it written, signed, copied and in your pocket. Reach alumni office in your school, they may be able to help you to find other students who went through the same program before. If so, reach to these people and ask directly about fulfilling your program's promices, and if things at any moment start to smell fishy, be prepared to search for new job, dream or not.

[Postpartum RN]

KatieMI, now you have to tell us about your experience! Don't leave us hanging :/