Job Shadowing After Interview in LDRP

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Specializes in Maternal Child, Home Health, Med/Surg.

Hello all!

I landed another interview with an LDRP training program in my area more up north where it'll bee cooler. Anyways, they want to do an interview followed by shadowing a nurse for a couple hours. I offered to bring my own scrubs but she reassured me that I could use a pair of theirs. 

What should I expect? Are there any specific questions I should ask? Should I prepare for any questions? My previous preparations never landed me the position. 

I'm worried I'm going to get in the way given that labor is unpredictable! I'm so nervous because this is my dream area and I don't want to mess it up! She seemed super excited to have me do this so she could "see how I am and I can see how the unit is." But the last time I shadowed was before nursing school 8 years ago! 

Thanks in advance. xP

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Specializes in L&D.

Congratulations!  I hope I am not too late with this reply. If you already shadowed, how did it go?

Ask questions as they come up! I'm sure you will have a lot once you are there. Are you an experienced nurse that wants labor experience? Or a new graduate? Either way, I would be sure to take in how the staff treats you and those around them. Are they warm and inviting? Or cold and distant? Do the providers seem to treat the nursing staff with warmth and kindness? Do you notice that the nurses help each other out? Next, I would take in what type of equipment is being used. Does it seem to work properly? Do the nurses have to look for equipment they need or is it easily accessible?

As far as laboring patients, I would ask what types of positioning they do during labor. If the unit is about physiologic birth or other practices? Some units will know exactly what you are talking about, others may look at you like you're crazy!

I would also ask about turnover. Ask if the staff feels supported. Ask about educational opportunities and if there are any unit based councils to join. 

So many things! I hope you enjoy the experience.

 

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Specializes in Maternal Child, Home Health, Med/Surg.
11 minutes ago, Skips said:

Congratulations!  I hope I am not too late with this reply. If you already shadowed, how did it go?

Ask questions as they come up! I'm sure you will have a lot once you are there. Are you an experienced nurse that wants labor experience? Or a new graduate? Either way, I would be sure to take in how the staff treats you and those around them. Are they warm and inviting? Or cold and distant? Do the providers seem to treat the nursing staff with warmth and kindness? Do you notice that the nurses help each other out? Next, I would take in what type of equipment is being used. Does it seem to work properly? Do the nurses have to look for equipment they need or is it easily accessible?

As far as laboring patients, I would ask what types of positioning they do during labor. If the unit is about physiologic birth or other practices? Some units will know exactly what you are talking about, others may look at you like you're crazy!

I would also ask about turnover. Ask if the staff feels supported. Ask about educational opportunities and if there are any unit based councils to join. 

So many things! I hope you enjoy the experience.

 

Thank you for this! I am not a new grad, I have 2.5 years in postpartum, home health and med surg. Im very nervous because I know this will end up being an extenuation of my interview. But I will take these tips.

Are there any massive donts while I’m shadowing? I haven’t done it in a good many years and it was a VERY different position. 

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Specializes in L&D.
1 hour ago, Idiosyncratic said:

Thank you for this! I am not a new grad, I have 2.5 years in postpartum, home health and med surg. Im very nervous because I know this will end up being an extenuation of my interview. But I will take these tips.

Are there any massive donts while I’m shadowing? I haven’t done it in a good many years and it was a VERY different position. 

I would say basic things like, do show up on time and ready to go. Ask questions outside of the room. Shadowing is typically hands off, so no patient care. Bring something to write with and a small notebook to take notes. You got this! 

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Specializes in Maternal Child, Home Health, Med/Surg.
21 hours ago, Skips said:

I would say basic things like, do show up on time and ready to go. Ask questions outside of the room. Shadowing is typically hands off, so no patient care. Bring something to write with and a small notebook to take notes. You got this! 

OK, awesome, thank you! I'm just glad it's AFTER my interview. The last one I had was before, and my hair was a complete mess..they also didn't let me change out of the scrubs into my interview outfit. Felt very out of place and uncomfortable to say the least! 

I will go buy a small notebook tonight, I think I only have big ones LOL.

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Specializes in Maternal Child, Home Health, Med/Surg.

Figured I would update; I got the job!! ?

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