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Hi. I'm so sorry for your loss. I've had 3 miscarriages, and two stillborn babies, so I understand how much it truely hurts. I'm new to the nicu... but being as I just lost a baby in June, it's still raw, and seeing those tiny hands and feet sometimes give me flashbacks to my own babies, and what they looked like when they were born. All I can say is I try to look for a 'reason' to why things happen. I believe maybe my circumstances helped lead me to my career path. I know how horrible I felt having a miscarriage, and how horrible it was to deliver stillborn babies... so it gives me great empathy for parents looking at their babies through a sheet of glass hooked up to tubes etc. Thankfully I have not experienced losing a patient yet... and quite frankly I'm worried how I'll react when I do... but I have to try to think of my history as a learning experience... and an education, and I will have great empathy for parents if god-forbid the occasion arises for them. I know it still hurts for you right now, but it does ease up with time. Again, I'm so sorry for your loss, and hope things get better for you soon. Take care.

Congratulations, and best wishes on the job hunt! ~Amy

Good luck on your exam! I went to LNA Health Careers too. I had NO problems w/ the state test... and I got all three jobs I interviewed for (I accepted two of them!). Good luck, and hope you enjoy being an LNA. ~Amy

I did leave a v/m saying I realize she's probably still interviewing for the position, but I was wondering if there was a time frame in which she expected to fill the position. That way if she said they were going to interview candidates for the next few weeks, I'd have some clue. Unfortunately she didn't call me back...and I know she's off for the next four days.

Hello, I'm heading back to work after being home w/ my family for 10+ years. I've interviewed at a couple of places (LTC and a hospital). The first LTC place I applied at actually called me and told me their positions were full for the moment, but they'd keep me on file. Ok. Fair enough. The hospital is where I REALLY want to be, I interviewed there, and it went well. I interviewed w/ human resources, then she sent me to speak with the head nurse in the unit. Both interviews went really well, they talked about salary (I did not ask) they talked about benefits, told me when orientation was, and asked me when I was available to start (to which I said "right away"). Overall...good signs. I do know that there are 2 other people who applied for that postition... only one more qualified than I am, but she hasn't been scheduled for an interview as far as I know. The second LTC place I applied at offered me a job on the spot. Of course the pay isn't as good...but it was a nice place and I wouldn't mind working there. Only problem??? They want me to start asap, and I really want to find out about the hospital job before I make a commitment. SO... in your opinion, how long should I wait to hear about the position at the hospital? If you were me, would you say no to the LTC facility in hopes for a better position, or would you take the LTC position b/c it's a definite? I don't want to jump at the first opportunity only to regret it...but I also don't want to burn any bridges and end up w/ no job at all! Thanks so much in advance for your opinions.

Hello, I'm interviewing for a position with a rotating shift. Three 3-11's and one 7-7 with every other weekend off. Just looking for suggestions on how to cover childcare when my husband doesn't get home until 7pm, and my kids get home from school at 3:30. Most afterschool programs end at 5:30 or 6. Also, if the days rotate, how do you schedule sitters? Thanks in advance! ~Amy

Do you have them, and what are their responsibilities? Thanks in advance.

I'm not a nurse yet (although my goal is to be a L&D nurse when I'm done w/ school), but I have had two stillborn babies, 3 live births and 3 miscarriages. I agree 100% with MarySunshine. Having some time to spend with your baby, and having some time to bond and say goodbye is SO important. But I think it does become more of a mental health issue to have the baby with you for days. It's a very grey area as to who/what decides is the 'correct' amount of time to allow the bonding/goodbye process to go on...but clearly 3-4 days is not a good idea for anyone involved. I also don't think any mother in that situation can make a rational decision. I know I wasn't able to think clearly at all when it was me. I would recommend finding some grief counseling/training program for the nurses who work on your floor. Something to help them understand better what the family is going through. I don't think forcing everyone to do it is a good idea (again, the mother/family needs SUPPORT, not a disgruntled employee) but perhaps there is a group of nurses who would offer to take this particular step in helping out in these situations. Maybe you could establish an 'on call' program, as I know fetal demise/stillbirth is not something planned or scheduled. There is probably no 'right' answer for this question...but I give you the greatest amount of credit in taking the steps to help out these families. It is so very important to have the kind and caring support every mom deserves during what is one of the most difficult times in her life. Best wishes. ~Amy

Hi I'm not an o/b nurse (that's my long term goal) but I did loose two babies...so I understand your concern. It is very possible that the placenta will move up. I'd say for now you can rest assured that it's not covering the cervix...and take rest in knowing that you are being seen by specialists. When in doubt ask ask ask...and the previous poster is right about tech's and diagnosing. I know they know a lot b/c they see it everyday...but don't worry unless you hear it from the doctor him/herself. I wish you and your baby the best, and I'm so sorry for the loss of your son. Take care.

Thanks for the replies. Unfortunately It looks like it all depends on the school. This road keeps getting longer and longer! Oh well... ~Amy

Hi I'm still in the process of getting transcripts together so I can apply...but I know someone who goes to NHTI in Concord...he said he chose that school over NHCTC b/c it has better stats of students passing the NCLEX. St. Joes in Nashua has an RN program now...so does Rivier (day and evening), and St.Anselm in Manchester has the BSN program, but they're all more $$. I'm applying to both NHCTC and NHTI b/c personally getting in is my first concern. I'll worry about the NCLEX when the time comes. Good luck! ~Amy

Hi I have my degree in ECE, got it back in '93, so I have the basic english courses, intro to psych and human growth and dev. I took A&P 1 and 2 last year...so I 'thought' I had a pretty good foundation to apply for the ADN program...now I'm hearing that my Chemistry class from highschool might not even count b/c it was over 10 years ago...so what about my college courses?? Will I be stuck starting from scratch? Either way I'm going to nursing school... but I'm wondering if it would be less work to go for an LPN program just to get my feet wet so to speak, then worry about the RN later. Any advice??? Thanks! ~Amy

Hi I've looked into both scenarios too. I have my degree in ECE, but have wanted to go back for nursing for quite some time. I figured all along I'd get my BSN, but after much thought...I'm going to go w/ the ADN instead. Like you I have three young kids, and I still want to be there for them. Not only that, I have leard/learned that most RNs w/ their BSN are doing more management jobs. I want to work and stay w/ patients. I'm not looking to climb the ladder, I just want to enjoy what I do and leave work each day with the satisfaction that I helped someone. So...between that, the kids, and tuition...it will be the ADN for me! (God willing, if I can pass teh NLN exam, if not, then I'll go the LPN route for now). Good luck! ~Amy

I agree 100%. I just finished my cna class last night, and I passed the state exam this morning. I've been taking pre-req's for the RN program the past few semesters...and this was a piece of cake compared to that. The only nerve-wracking thing to me was having to 'pretend' during the clinical portion of the exam. Working with real residents was a piece of cake... acting while people are watching you is pretty uncomfortable. As for the class though, read, and use common sense. You'll do fine! Good luck! ~Amy

Thanks for the input. I'll be working as a CNA, and in January will be taking more classes towards my RN, so I wanted to see what worked out the best while juggling kids. I think nights/weekends will probably be the way to go for a while! Thanks! ~Amy

You are so right. My grandmother delivered a stillborn baby in her 6th month in 1950. She was telling me the story when I was in highschool after I asked her why she only had three kids (dumb question I soon realized). She sad "I'll never forget how they laid him on the bed next to me, cleaned me up, wrapped him up then took him away, and I never knew what happened to him". She had tears in her eyes 35+ years later when telling the story. It's something you never forget, and certainly nothing you ever 'get over'. Also, when I lost my daughter at 30 weeks a year and a half ago, I got a card in the mail from my friends mother whom I only met once back in the early 90's. It was a very nice gesture, but I thought it was kind of odd coming from someone I barely knew. I called my friend to tell her mother thank you...then I asked why she sent me the card. My friend said when she was telling her mother about me, her mother burst into tears. My friend was pretty perplexed (knowing her mother barely knew me) until she told her that she had a stillborn son in 1965, who was burried in Japan (they were stationed in the military), and it just really hit home when she learned what happened to me. She knew exactly what I was going through, so she felt the need to send a card. So yeah...it never leaves you.

I guess my title said it best. If you have kids in school, is it better to work nights, and sleep when there in school? Or, is it easier to work 7-3, and get before school care? If so, then what do you do during the summers, or vacations or snow days? If you work weekends (2 12's or something) do you feel bad missing sports, family outings, taking them to bday parties etc? I know there has to be a sacrifice somewhere, I'm just wondering what's the easiest to juggle. I know 3-11 would never work for me as my kids get home at 3:30, and go to bed before 9. I'd never see them. How do you prioritize kids and work, and how does it work out for you? Thanks! ~Amy

OH, that's a huge pet peeve of mine too. With my 14 week loss, they kept saying "product of conception" in reference to the chromosomal testing we had done. Then they told me it was a boy, so it went from just an object, to a lost son, and a brother to my kids. It just sounds so cold and calus, like your baby is a tumor or something. It is/was a life that you were expecting to love forever. With my stillborn babies, thankfully they refered to them as such, or I would have definitely given someone a piece of my mind! ~Amy

Wow, what touching stories. In my opinion... if you work in L&D, and have been through a loss, maybe just a statement like "I have been there, and I understand, so if you want to talk let me know" might be enough to open a doorway for a mother who wants support, and just enough acknowledgement for a mother who doesn't. Just my opinion of course. K- (NHMommy, sorry I don't remember your name), I won't be there tonight, I have class and can't skip so... either pm me, or I'll catch up with you next month. I think this weeks topic is 'subsequent pregnancies'. I've had subsequent pregnancies, one successful, and one not. I know I'm not quite ready to discuss that, so I'm not too upset that I can't go. Best wishes with your classes and workload. ~Amy

Wow, what a great topic. I just found this website tonight and I'm truely amazed by this thread. I'm also a mother who has had multiple losses. I had my third pregnancy end in miscarriage at 14 weeks. I didn't get much support on that one, and I think even now I would have liked an u/s photo as some sort of rememberance of that baby. I had a healthy baby boy after that, then two years later my daughter was stillborn at 30 weeks. She was much smaller than the 'average' 30 week baby. My nurse was wonderful, and she talked to me during the 8 hours I was in labor. She'd pop her head in and say "would you like some company, or do you want me to leave you alone?" As my labor progressed, she'd explain to me what may or may not happen, what the baby may or may not look like. She told me I'd have the choice to look at/hold my baby, and if I didn't want to, they'd do everything as quickly as possible so I wouldn't have to see. We opted to see and hold our baby. I do have one photo of her (very poor quality, but it's there). They gave us a little packet on grieving, recommended books etc. She did give us advice on what we could do as far as arrangements etc. I was so greatful for that advice b/c I really didn't have a clue, and the thought never entered my mind. With my second stillborn (a boy this time), I was not as far along (23 weeks), and I was pretty worried I wouldn't get the same choices I got with my daughter just a year before. Labor progressed so fast, I ended up delivering in the ER...but the nurses there were just as great. The let us see/hold our son, and they even asked us what we planned to name him. Later, the nurse came back to my room, and gave us all our options. Since we had been through this before, we knew we'd do for him what we did for our daughter, and they're buried together in the cemetery near our home. I did not get any photos of him, but we did get his handprints, so that was at least something, and I am able to visit their graves whenever I can. Thanks for starting this post, I do think it's important that people know what their options are. I know it helped me to be somewhat prepared. ~Amy PS NHMommy, I also go to SHARE meetings, and I think we've met. You can Private message me anytime and we can exchange email addresses if you choose. (Moderator note: edited out private email address as we do not allow email addresses to be posted here for security purposes)

By the way NHMommy, where are you going to school? Just curious.

I just heard tonight that pay is in the $9-12 dollar range for new graduates. Personally, I wouldn't choose a job for what pays the best, or what place will re-imburse you. Go with the place you think you'd be happiest working. If you work someplace b/c of the pay, but the job stinks, you'll get burnt out in the long run. Good luck! ~Amy

I agree with this whole heartedly. I'm going to LNA Health Careers in Manchester and I've had no problem. I wouldn't even say it's been dull (well, except for the first night). Dorrie Smith is the instructor and she's been great! I'd recommend the school to whomever was asking. ~Amy