HollieRN

You may have better luck getting into OB/Gyn as a new grad than right into Labour and Delivery. But i got right into OB/Gyn as a new grad without a problem. Good luck.

Hi there, I am a relatively new grad (June, '06) who is currently working in OB/Gyn. I've been pretty unhappy w/ bedside nursing and have been looking for a change since i started. I noticed a posting for an Occ. Health position at the hospital i work at and applied. I got an interview! I am worried that due to having no seniority and only one of the qualifications (I have a BScN -- this was the min. requirement), i won't really have a chance ... and there are a lot of things that i don't have (occ. health certificate, experience (!!), knowledge/experience w/ insurance ...) too. I'm very very worried. The interview is tomorrow over the phone (i'm out of town). I need to know what kind of questions they might ask ...? I'm expecting the usual about general nursing and strengths and weaknesses and stuff, but i'm worried they will ask me something specific about occ. health and i won't know. Help! Thanks :) - HollieRN

I agree that you should look into the college/university collaborative programs in Ontario. I graduated from the Loyalist/Brock program and i think they still had seats available when i was there ... We were accepting students from other schools mid-program! Worth checking out ...

Hi there! I'm a new nurse as well ... I agree w/ everything above !! My preceptor and clinical educator stressed ASKING QUESTIONS! Never let something go if you're unsure. Never put yourself in an unsafe situation, where you could've had help, because you were too afraid to ask. Also, it is normal to not know the answers to everything. I've found that the key is to know where to go for those answers. For now, your biggest resource will be your preceptor and fellow nurses. Eventually you will learn what other resources you have (MDs, pharmacy, OT/PT, ... etc.) and how to access them.

I'm new as well ... I have three whole months 'under my belt'. I work in OB/Gyne. I like OB a lot, but Gyne kicks my butt on a regular basis. I'm in the 'perinatal float pool' ... I orient to Pediatrics in a few weeks. I JUST got (somewhat) comfy on OB/Gyne and now i'm moving again So ... I feel your pain. Hang in there.

I just got my results too! I passed! :balloons: :balloons: :balloons:

Thanks again for everyones responses. I spoke to the nursing manager and it was all a huge misunderstanding ... I will eventually be floating, but right now i will start out on one unit, and orient for 12 shifts or until i feel comfortable. I also have three more 'classroom' days than i'd originally been told about. I won't be moved or oriented to other units until i'm comfortable on this first unit. I was also told that it'd be at least a year before i got to do L&D... So ... I'm feeling quite a bit better about it all. Thank you all for your advice.

Thank you for your responses. The thing is ... I have already accepted this position. I start tomorrow (hospital orientation). The hospital knows i am a new grad. I was offered a surgical float pool position (which i probably should've taken, looking back ... ) but my heart has always been in perinatal; i was excited and jumped at the offer. I value my license; if i at all feel unsafe, i will say something. I will ask for more orientation, or something. I do not want to risk all of this before it even begins. But i want to give it a shot. This is pretty standard (orientation time) for new RNs in Ontario ... All of my classmates are getting the same thing. Thanks for your advice though. I will certainly keep this in mind as orientation goes along.

I've been using both Mosbys and the CRNE guide put out by the CNA. I found that my percentages using Mosbys were 60-70%, where i'm currently at ~80% using the CRNE guide. I'm REALLY hoping the CRNE is like the CRNE guide, b/c Mosbys questions are really hard (though really good and identifying where you're weakest). I don't think it should matter if you write in block letters or not. They may prefer it be in block letters, but i can't see anyone failing that section for not writing in block letters.

Hi there :) I'm a new grad RN ... I write the CRNE June 7 and graduate June 8. I've accepted a job as a perinatal float nurse. This will take me to ob/gyn, L&D, peds and the NICU. I have experience (from clinical) in ob/gyn and the special care nursery (Level II NICU, i think), but am really nervous about doing L&D and peds. I get 4 days of hospital orientation and 12 shifts of clinical orientation w/ an RN preceptor (w/ the possibility of more if i need it). 12 shifts for 4 units seems a little much, doesn't it? I don't have any special certificates or anything ... I don't even know how to start an IV or draw blood (this is not part of our training in Ontario -- this will be covered in orientation) ... I just already feel very inadequate and i'm not even there yet. Anyone been in a similar situation?

I hear that the CRNE and NCLEX are quite different though ...? I don't know though. I don't plan on taking the NCLEX. I've been using Mosby's Review ... Getting 60-70% on most sections, if i'm lucky I've been hearing from classmates though that the CRNE review is easier and most have been getting ~80%. Hang in there guys. We're almost there!!

I had the same problem w/ an instructor last year. It might be good idea to ask for a meeting with your instructor and clarify what her expectations of you (as a student) are. Tell her that you really do need whatever feedback she can give you; good and bad. That's what she's there for. I did this w/ my instructor and it worked like a charm. She was more aware of my needs as a student, and i was more aware of what she was looking for as an instructor. I felt much more comfortable going to her afterwards looking for help. She's of no use to you if you're too intimidated to speak to her/ask questions.

Hi there :) I'm new here ... Just finished my BScN and will sit to write the CRNE June 7 (hopefully in Kingston or Toronto) ... Just wondering if there's anyone else here who will be writing this June. How is the studying going? What are you using to study? Do you feel prepared?

Ooooh you do'nt even want to know Brock-Loyalist wanted 70% in the four pre reqs ... Math, English, Bio (or Physics, i chose Bio) and Chem ... I had 60% in OAC (gr 13, when it was still around) Finite, 62% in OAC Chem, 65% in OAC Bio and 75% in OAC English. My other two OAC's were Family Studies (81%) and Kinesiology (70 something, i think). I can't believe i got in ... But i'm going into 3rd year now and have 80%+ in everything. Go figure.

Heh ... I'm sure as hell not getting paid. And i've never heard of that before ... Certainly doesn't happen in my neck of the woods.