Labour & delivery

You say 'you are looking into entering labour and delivery', what does that mean? Were you recently hired as a RPN on a labour and delivery unit?

If not, you need to find a RPN job ASAP, as your proof of recent practice will expire late 2017. With time ticking on your license, you cannot afford to hold out for an offer on a dream job, get any RPN job you can find. Your PSW job is doing nothing for your license or future career options. Once you have a RPN job, look into taking a RPN maternal newborn nursing certificate program through a community college. Some colleges offer the program online check Mohawk, Conestoga, Fanshawe Colleges.

Thank you for your replies.

I had worked as a Rpn late last year but was let go for lack of experience. I was hired on as casual but was quickly given a full time line with very little training for the position. So I have fears about re-appling for another rpn position because I do not feel an employer will want to hire me because I was terminated. So I was considering going back to school so that I am have something to show my next employer that I've made an effort to improve.

In theory that may sound good, however practical experience is valuable.

Can you not begin to work as a RPN where you are working as a PSW? You would be at an advantage for knowing the company, work culture, policies ect.

L&D nurses need to think fast on their feet (as for most nurses). Things can go wrong very quickly. You need to gain experience as an RPN first. Skills are transferable - home care will help you gain confidence in in teaching (SO much teaching in maternity!), surgery will help with IV starts, foley's, bleeds...I could go on, any RPN job you have now will help you with your next one, even with time management and leadership skills.

I would to suggest that you really look at why you were let go. The company knew how much experience you had when you were hired. So was it a lack of confidence, inability to make decisions, poor decisions? I don't want to be rude, but it sounds like there was an other reason.

Get any RPN job and focus on becoming the best at that job, upgrade your skills and knowledge that relate to that job. When you feel confident in that job, then start to look at getting in to maternity. Take a maternity related course and apply for related jobs when you feel you are ready. Keep in mind if your working at a hospital all you need is the seniority to apply, the extra courses don't really matter, they may ask you to do some courses once your hired but seniority will rule.

I'm currently working for a in home care assistanced job, my current employer doesn't take on very complex care cases.

There was a 'judgement call' issue. I had just come on shift, the day nurse and nursing supervisor were dealing with an incident - a resident had become catatonic, vital signs were fine, responded to pain, but was just not moving or talking. I started my shift while the 2 nurses were doing the assesment. The supervisor then transferred the responsibility of this resident to me and requested that I call the son to ask for their opinion on what we should do next. Before I called the son I decided to start prepping my med cart (med pass was starting soon) because I didn't know how long this situation would last and I didn't want to get behind. The supervisor disagreed and wanted me to call the son right away. (it was a retirement home with 111 residents and one rpn nurse (also 2 psws). the nursing supervisor was also on duty, but she was also director of care, managed the residents, responsible for intake and a bunch of other duties, so she couldn't be a lot of support.)

So I've been afraid to find another rpn position because they won't want to hire me unless I do something to prove that I have 'learned and reflected', etc.

I've been looking for a Preceptorship/mentor so i can start working, but I'm having issues finding a work place that does this.

I feel that by taking the material new born certification I will be able to show my next employer that I have done something to learn and grow. I also don't enjoy working in geriatrics, but I did really like working as a student on the Material unit Soldiers Memorial Hospital.

Actually did a lot of placement at this hospital and I really liked working at this hospital.

Correction, I graduated late 2014, but I passed the exam early 2015

There were two people wrong in the incident you described, the clinician with the most knowledge about the patient's condition was the supervisor and she should have made the call to the family, but since it was handed to you, it should have been the priority task for you to do (but you already know that). You should not have been terminated over this incident, it should have been used as a learning opportunity. Some employers are more inclined to dispose of new employees than to properly mentor and retain staff.

Have you read nursing theorist Patricia Benner's book from Novice to Expert? If not, I recommend you read it, it is about how nurses acquire clinical competence through experience. After you read the book you will have a better understanding as to why we are saying you need to focus on acquiring work experience, not more education.