Making a good impression

Ask questions!! Seek out new experiences. Hopefully your preceptor will help seek them out for you as well. If you've had a couple days of feeder/growers, and you hear that a baby on the unit is going to be getting a PICC placed or something, ask if you can go watch. If you're not on admit, but someone is going to the DR and you're not doing anything at the moment, ask if you can tag along. Things like that. Good luck!!

Ask questions!! Seek out new experiences. Hopefully your preceptor will help seek them out for you as well. If you've had a couple days of feeder/growers, and you hear that a baby on the unit is going to be getting a PICC placed or something, ask if you can go watch. If you're not on admit, but someone is going to the DR and you're not doing anything at the moment, ask if you can tag along. Things like that. Good luck!!

Thanks! Actually the unit itself is pretty small and a Level II (although in this next year, they're building a new one that is double the beds) so I'm hoping that if it's not too busy, maybe I cna go to some deliveries with NBN as well. At this hospital, NBN goes to all "regular" deliveries and NICU goes to "high-risk" (I think defined as anything that might come to the NICU). Doing the baby assessment at deliveries was my favorite part of OB!

OK, I'm starting my externship Monday and I'm very excited! Monday and Tuesday are actually hospital orientation, so I'm LESS excited about that, but...

I've been reading everything I can find and studying up. Besides that, what other things would you recommend to make a good impression? I've been told this unit does not typically hire new grads, but I'm hoping to make a good enough impression that they will hire me next year or that at least I can get in the NBN and transition to the NICU.

So, advice?

Bryan

Because you are asking I already know you'll be fine! I would suggest the ussual stuff - introduce yourself, make eye contact, have a good hand shake and seek out your experiences! Ask what the nurses in the unit are reading; and please Please learn about how to deal with bereavement and infant loss!

Welcome and good luck!