Mugwump had a great idea offering services to new grads as a mentor (thank you for that!)
So, I thought having a "sticky" for new grads, OB nurses, students, and others with questions who want to post these can do so here. We also seem to see many of the same questions over and over, so perhaps this would help serve as an ongoing discussion of common issues/questions we all seem to have on our minds. This could serve not just for those asking directly, but others who may be "lurking" and looking for information or considering a career in OB, newborn, GYN nursing, or midwifery, doula services, childbirth education, lactation consulting, or other related work.
So if any mod thinks this is a good idea, mind stickying this?
Let's give this a go and see how it works out. We have many potential "mentors" here among us who, I am sure, would LOVE to help a new nurse/midwife/doula or student on his or her way to a rewarding career. I know I would love to help out!
I am graduating with my ADN in May. Last month I spoke with a nurse recruiter that came to our campus. I asked her if her hospital took new grads directly into Labor and Delivery. She said they do, and they have a preceptorship program in place for it, but it is a much more intensive interview process. She told me to apply a month before graduation, and I plan to.
I plan to get recommendations from some clinical instructors (especially my OB instructor) and to bring in my clinical evaluations for all 4 semesters (they have all been positive). I was thinking of bringing some of my OB paperwork as well (PP assessment, NB assessment, careplans, etc.) I am doing my preceptorship in L&D and plan to ask my preceptor for a recommendation as well, but I will just be starting that next week so I may not be far enough in by the time I interview.
Is there anything else I can do to prepare? What can I expect in this "intensive interview process"?
I am so thankful I came upon this forum:mad:. I have lots of questions. I am currently in a community college doing pre reques (I can never get the spell right) for an RN degree. My one and only interest for now is being a Labor and Delivery Nurse, working in the Birth Center at the hospital. I have 2 kids under 3 and I think that would be my calling for a career. I read in another forum that you can take a 3 yr intense program for a nursing diploma without doing pre reques. Has anyone ever heard of that? That sounds pretty tempting, since I do no like taking pre reques (I amalmost half way done with them though). Where is this program available? Also is there such a thing as being a grad and going right into L&D or do I have to start somewhere else? And in being and L&D nurse is there such a thing as working while your kids are in school (or do they not choose their schedule?). Any advice from anyone in general from anyone? Anything would be greatly appreciated. Thank you so much. God Bless!!
Katusha, Stay with the community college program, it will offer you more if you decide you want to continue toward a BSN. Work schedules vary from hospital to hospital. It is just a matter of how flexible they are. Best of luck . :nurse:jan
I have been a nurse for 10 months on a med-surg GYN floor. We also get PP overflow patients. One thing I have learned is the golden rule....NEVER DO ANYTHING WITHOUT A DOCTOR'S ORDER. The majority of our OB/GYN's use a standing post-lady partsl or post-c-section order sheet, which is worded in such a way that the RN can use their nursing judgement as to when IVF can be d/c'd and how quickly a diet can be advanced, etc. As far as feeling slow and stupid and relearning things you learned in nursing school---trust me, we ALL have been there. In fact, I still have those days and probably will for a long time! I rarely EVERY leave work before the other nurses do, and that's even on a smooth day. Nursing school (in my opinion) is only about 25% of the learning experience (if that!) You will be as proficient as those nurses are some day! I wish you the best of luck and congratulations!:grad:
I graduated in BSN in June,2004 in Brazil. But, just now that I got my RN license in US. I began to search for an OB position, but it seems that most of the place require some previous experience. I have it as Nurse Trainee in hospitals and public health clinics. Can I consider it as years of experience? Further more, I am looking for a place that does not do abortion. Should I put this in my resume? Anyway, yesterday I went at a nursing job fair and the Nurse recruiter told me that they didn't have any position available. But, I did a research in the website and I found it one, which requires 1 year of experience. Should I send an email to her? Or they will just hire me as an entry-level Nurse since I don't have experience as a RN.
Usually when recruiters talk about experience, they are talking about years of experience as a RN. Certainly you can mention that you held the other position and what you learned from it. However, if I were you, I would not count it as years of experience. Just be honest with them that you are a new grad but you do have 'xyz' experience as a nurse trainee.
As far as the abortion issue, this is really an individual hospital thing. Even if they do abortions, you will (or should) have the opportunity to opt out of assisting with them if that situation conflicts with your religious beliefs. However, you may end up taking care of a woman post-procedure. If that would be an issue for you as well, be aware and clarify with any place you interview. This wouldn't be something to ask the nurse recruiter or human resources, though. That should be addressed with the nurse manager of the OB unit. S/he will probably not be surprised by your concern, as you are certainly not the first to have it.
Thanks for the opportunity to as questions about L&D. I will be graduating May 2008, I have a interveiw with a the L&D mangers in the hospital that I want to work with. Do you have any idea of what types of questions are mostly asked during the interveiw process? I am very excited about possibly becoming a L&D nurse. Any advise would be greatly appreciated.. Thanks in advance:heartbeat
Hi there, I have been on this site since 7:00 this morning !!! What a ton if information!!! Thank you all soooo much!!! I am a Doula and an RN. After 2 yrs, I am finally starting on Monday in an L&D position. I am desperately trying to locate a listing of commonly used drugs in L&D. If you could post them that would be awesome!!!! Just trying to study up before Monday!
I thank you from the bottom of my heart for all of the information!!! I do have one more question though. My husband purchased a Palm for me to use on the floor. It is wireless and I am interested in getting a subscription to an OB download that will be a great resource. My girlfriend is in ER and she downloaded Epocrates to her Palm. I think I would rather have something more specific to Labor and delivery.
Now on THAT, I have zero info. I have not yet joined the 21st century in that regard....you might want to post your question on the PDAs & Nursing forum. Bet they would have your answer!
TRINI_RN
608 Posts
Check out this thread. Good Luck!!
https://allnurses.com/forums/f224/1st-job-nursing-interview-294585.html