My first OB Interview

TonieRN · Feb 10, 2011

Level 3...tertiary hosp....takes everything...keeps everything....a good place to learn...has a highly skilled NICU that you respect. Level 2...we didnt like to keep them under 32 wks...those were shipped out if at all possible. Had a NICU...some support..not as much as the level 3 tho. Level 1...no NICU...nurses do ALL...labor/ delivery...postpartum...newborn.....usually staff with 2 nurses...if no patients...1 nurse on call, one in house. Generally dont keep under 36 wks; however, you must deal with whatever comes through those doors without the support of NICU or much other staff. My opinion, it is the hardest of the 3...but I DO enjoy not handing my patient off after delivery...i stay with her the entire shift. I have seen more unusual stuff in the level 1 than the level 2....maybe i just remember it more...i dont know....the level 3...hehe...oh my....few days were boring...good days, the place was a zoo...bad day...lol...much worse....HTH

blessings

Elvish, BSN, DNP, RN, NP · Feb 10, 2011

I work at a level 3 facility that has a level 4 NICU. Our L&D is staffed separately, but mother/baby, stable antepartum, and newborn nursery are all cross-trained. I will agree with those who say that it's very rarely boring at that level. I feel absolutely zero guilt about a slow night on my unit, because they are so few and far between.

The last night I worked, I had one c/section 2 days post-op with a baby in NICU, one antepartum 5-6cm in with preterm labor (arrested, fortunately) and going to be with us 'til she delivered, two lady partsl postpartums with babies, and I admitted a fresh section, also with a baby. (Responsible for babies as well.) Fortunately, everyone was stable and it ended up being a fairly decent night, but let the fresh section hemorrhage, or the 2 day postop spike a temp and have to be opened back up, or let the antepartum break, or any of the babies crump, and you've got a bad night. Those things are usually rare, but like others have said - when it goes bad, it goes bad fast and you have to know what to do. No one will expect you to know exactly how to handle a postpartum hemorrhage if you've never worked OB, esp not in an interview, but you will have to know where to turn. Good luck!

Like a previous poster said - no real need to be afraid, just be aware that it's not all happy hearts and butterflies either.

RaziRN · Feb 11, 2011

So, I had my interview today. The only question the NM asked me was why OB? And I told her it was my passion and how I've always had a fascination with all things OB. She then went on to explain scheduling, staffing and orientation in depth. From what she told me, she seems like a great manager to work for and seems to have an easy-going personality. I asked what staff turn-over was. She said it's been high lately but mostly because of people relocating with their spouses or having kids and wanting to stay at home. She told me that since I've worked as a nurse that my orientation will be 4 weeks in PP and 4 weeks in nursery with one day spent with the lactation consultant. She gave me a detailed tour of the unit. There are 16 PP beds, 14 well baby nursery beds, 6 L&D beds, two obs rooms and like 4 or 6 triage rooms. The NICU is level 3A and has 16 beds. The lady in HR said they would be checking my references and that they would probably call me back in 2-3 days. Wish me luck!

In other related news, my NM from my old job called and said that they have 3 positions opening up in OB and that if it doesn't work out at this new hospital that I'm always welcome to come back there and try for an OB position. At least I have some options whereas this time last week it didn't seem like I had any.

BrookeeLou_RN · Feb 11, 2011

I am sorry some feel scrubs are unprofessional. I have been nurse manager for years and frankly would not hire someone who showed up in high heels..(just joking!) Since I interviewed and was hired at Johns Hopkins High Risk L&D in professional scrubs and had to wear hospital scrubs and actually change in the unit dressing room, I did not mean to give you advice that would cause any NM not to hire you! I just thought if it was good enough there it would be good enough anywhere.

And my plumber shows up in jeans(clean) and an appropriate shirt to discuss job and tshirt to work job..still no suit. But then maybe mine does not charge as much.

You will never know if your clothes mattered or not so my whole point was to be comfortable and not try being something you are not.

BrookeeLou_RN · Feb 11, 2011

Sorry, missed the post about you having the interview and then the wonderful call from previous employer with OB openings.. That should give you a lot to think about..Old job..continued seniority and benefits.. But either way.. sounds like you aced it and so happy for you.

Funny how fast things change in nursing isn't it?

let me be the first to congratulate you and hope you get the offer you want the most:)

RaziRN · Feb 14, 2011

*Sigh* Things aren't looking too bright right now. I e-mailed the NM some questions I thought of over the weekend like she asked me to if I thought of any, and I haven't received a reply. I figure if she was gonna hire me she would be willing to answer my questions and if she wasn't going to hire me she might just ignore them. This really makes me feel like a giant failure seeing as how there were 3-4 positions open. I must of really bombed things somehow.

RaziRN · Feb 14, 2011

I just got the dreaded rejection email...

BrookeeLou_RN · Feb 14, 2011

So did you call your old employer and apply for their OB openings???

I know it hurts when you feel you aced an interview but did not get the job,,been there, and lived thru it.. Keep the faith! Bounce back and keep looking.

You will never know why you did not get it, so quit beating yourself up and go on.

OB is a highly desired field so they might have hired someone with OB experience or more M/S.

At least you have your back-up plan.. so go for it!