cysrnob

You will be so much better off if you get a med/surg job first. I tried working OB with no hospital experience when I was a pretty new nurse. It was a disaster. I had no IV skills, I didn't know how to hook up a PCA, run antibiotics and such. Yes I had orientation but these things don't come often in OB like they do in med/surg. Labor and delivery, you need to use your critical thinking skills. It is like jumping into ICU and running the code yourself with no experience. I worked a year in med/surg before I tried again to work in OB. It helped me to add on to the skills I already had. It also helps you with confidence. Suppose you had a patient fresh from delivery and all the other nurses are too busy with other patients and it is just you. She starts to hemmorhage. Suppose this uncommon situation did not come up in orientation. What would you do? In med/surg you have more nurses to help you and answer questions because they are not focused strictly on their active labor patient getting an epidural or PIH patient on Mag. Med/surg nurses have a lot of work to do but they on the average do not spend hours at a patients bedside where they wouldn't be available. Also the more you do something, the better you get at it. OB units would be more than likely to hire you if you at least had 6 months med/surg. Med/surg units don't mind hiring new grads. I hope you are not offended but I am just speaking from experience.

I just started working there on my first travel assignment in L&D. It is totally awesome. I don't know if med/surg is the same but I bet they are. Everyone is so nice and helpful. The doctors are even nice. I told them that I lucked out. I've worked at a 4 hospitals in the past 9 years and I can tell you that this hospital is in the top 2.

Hi all, I am going to a California hospital this month as a travel L&D nurse. My recruiter told me that I need to supply my own scrubs. Is that true of all hospitals in California? I am from Ohio and we always change into hospital scrubs so that they can be laundered and we don't contaminate anyone outside of the hospital. It is a ODH regulation. Thanks for any response.

hi all, just wondering if anyone here has worked in any of these hospitals in california-labor and delivery in particular. any input would be greatly appreciated. sutter coast in crescent city natividad in salinas mendocino coast hospital in mendocino marian hospital in santa maria:confused:

I am not sure of anything regarding these companies and I do not know anyone who travels. I did read some negative stuff about World Health so I am ruling them out. I have read a lot of positive about OnAssignment. I am now leaning towards them. This is just a big step in me and my family's life and I don't want to pick the wrong company. I will take any advise thrown at me. Thanks.

Hi, I am new to this site. I have been researching travel companies for the last couple of weeks and have narrowed my search to "nurses on the go" and "world health." I am basing my decisions only on internet info. Does anyone have any info or experience with these companies? I want to know if they are honest and that they pay like they say. I also want to know if the housing is decent and really free. Thanks so much.