I'm Very Discouraged....

[JadziaSolo]

I'm hoping for some encouragement here. I've made mistakes in accepting my last two jobs. The first one was in the OR at a big teaching hospital and I was over my head (I had only worked in 2 services before, now I suddenly had to know "Everything"). In the 8 months I was there, 10 RNs left. I felt it would be in my best interests if I left.

So I accepted a job at a small hospital, I later find out that it's accredited by the state, NOT JCAHCO - believe me it DOES make a difference. I've been there 9 months. I don't feel that it is safe to work there and I've heard rumors that there are money problems, too.

I'm sick of the OR environment anyway.

So, since I worked L&D for 12 years, I thought could go back. I miss the teamwork, patients, and family centered care of an L&D unit (I can't go back to the place I was in L&D because it just got crazy there, too much of a free for all). I've applied to several places. Only to be told at one place that I would have to do an internship, since my last L&D job was almost 5 years ago. Another place said my experience was "too old" - and I thought my interview went very well.... I think that the experience thing is holding me back. I'm really frustrated right now.

I have an interview in 2 days for a L&D position at another hospital. HR asked the Unit Director about my 5 years old experience, and she said it was not a problem.

I know I will be able to pick up where I left off.

I don't want to come off as despirate, but I tell you, I really am.

If I do get a job offer, how do I evaluate it carefully, so I don't make another mistake? I know the hospital I'm interviewing at has a good reputation.

I'd like to stay at one place long enough to accumulate vacation time, you know?

Thanks for listening!:wink2:

[Selke]

Don't knock taking another orientation or refresher course in L&D nursing. Five years is a long time; sure you remember a lot of it, but you lose the day-to-day ability to handle the environment and have to regain your instincts and reflexes. As long as they pay you, why not a new orientation? You probably won't need a very long one. Look at it this way: the new hospital may offer a superior orientation than the one you received years ago and you can learn new things. Things do change in five years.

I left OB nursing and then worked in other areas for a few years like you did, then moved to a different part of the country, then got hired into L&D again. Had a far superior orientation and work experience than my first time around. It was definately worth it, especially since my old jobs were in very highly interventionist medically oriented teaching hospitals, and my new location included natural birth and newer, more liberal practices. Good luck.