Labor and Delivery Interview New Grad

Halinja, BSN, RN · Jul 5, 2010

The one thing I remember from my labor and delivery interview was that a L&D nurse needs to be strong. Able to keep a frightened mother on task, and back a doc down if need be. Work well under pressure. Hmmm...that's about it, but that's probably just my memory going.

klone, MSN, RN · Jul 5, 2010

One scenario question I remember from my interview was:

A woman is a few hours post C/S, and on a morphine PCA for pain. You walk into her room and find her unresponsive. What would you do?

rfs755 · Jul 5, 2010

Wish I could offer advice, but I'm med-surg. Just be honest, be yourself and let them know you are interested in working in this field and will do your best....

nurseRN28 · Jul 7, 2010

Thank you all so much for your support and info. I have been studying case scenarios and learning more about the hospital. I know it is a long shot since there are only 2 positions open out of 20 candidates being interviewed. Honestly if I don't get it I will be bummed but that just means another new grad got it and I will be happy for them. My interview is Thursday so if anyone else has any assistance please post. Thanks again

birdcage · Jul 7, 2010

Make sure you ask questions. It really is important. Here are a few that I used:

Tell me about the orientation process. Will I have more than one preceptor?

What is a typical week like on this unit?

How often are people sent home early or called for extra shifts?

I prefer to work weekends (or whatever you prefer). Will it be difficult for me to get that kind of schedule?

Will I be expected to float to other areas? If so, am I allowed to decline if I don't feel I am competent to work that unit?

What other staff members work on the unit? Does this hospital use LPNs and CNAs in L&D? How well does everyone work together?

As far as case scenarios, be familiar with common problems in L&D and what to assess for. If you aren't sure about how to answer the question, explain how you would assess the pt to find out what is going on. They know that you just graduated. You aren't expected to be an expert.

I had several questions about what I would do if I was overwhelmed and had more than one crisis to handle at once. The right answer was to ask for help.

And if you pray, then take a few minutes to pray before you go into the building.

Good luck in your interview. Let us know how it goes.

nurseRN28 · Jul 13, 2010

I had to update you all that I did very well in my interview and I have a second interview scheduled. :)

rndavu729, ADN · Jul 13, 2010

Congratulations! I am a new grad myself and start on the floor in L&D next week. I'm very excited. One thing to remember is they understand you are a new grad and have a lot to learn. It takes 4-6 months of orientation to learn what you need to know to be on your. At least that is what I have been told. Good luck! Hope you get the offer.

noski · Jul 14, 2010

congrats rjc729

im a new grad and would love to work in L&D, how did you go about it?

the hospital i saw that had an opening in L&D did not want new grads.

Any tips or advise will be appreciated

nurseRN28 · Jul 16, 2010

I got the job!!! I am so excited. For those that were asking about how I got the job... I applied for a position online that was specifically for a New Grad L&D Nurse position. I really can't tell you why I was selected out of 400 applications, I am sure there were many others equally as good as mine. I did a lot of research on the hospital before my interview so I could ask a lot of questions. My recommendation to those who are new grads or are going to be new grads soon is to get your certifications early. Do NRP, Basic Fetal Heart Monitoring. Try to do volunteer work in L&D while you are looking for a job. During my interview I talked about every rotation I did and how I applied it to women's health (medsurg- hysterectomy patient), Mental health (patient who miscarried), Medsurg (Pregnant patient with pancreatitis, and then in the ER I had a pregnant patient with diabetic ketoacidosis. Hope this helps. Good luck to those who are seeking :)

noski · Jul 16, 2010

Congratulation nurseRN28,

Thanks for coming back to let us know the outcome of your interview, that gives me more hope, that i can still get my dream job as a new grad.

In one of your post, you said you "have been studying case scenarios and learning more about the hospital" What kind of scenarios? did you use a book? and to learn about the hospital, do you just goggle the hospital and read every page on their website?

As per certifications, i want to do NRP and Basic Fetal monitor, did you do yours online?

Do you think your resume and cover letter stood out and that was what made them call you for the 1st interview? I have no medical background, so my resume is just clinical experience, i don't know if i did the right thing by itemizing my clinical experience for every semester. I am sure you are busy now, but if you don't mind i would appreciate if you would take a few minutes to look at my resume, please pm me so i can send it to you for critique.

Sorry for all the numerous questions, would appreciate if you can answer them.

Thanks and congratulations again.....now go start delivering some babies:nurse:

lnd2b · Jul 19, 2010

Hey congrats... do you mind telling us what hospital? and how you got the interview? any special tricks ... words of wisdom