Just_Me_2

We always have to have 2 L/D trained RN's on unit, but if our census is low we will either float out the third RN or give low census. The third RN will be home on call, ready to come in if we need her. Really, it hasn't been bad at all. We are going through a slow spell because we lost an OB, and I really don't think the hospital would be willing to pay 3 RNs to sit around if there are no patients.

Not currently, but I have in the past. My suggestion to you would be to not let people affect how you do your job. Wherever you work, there will be difficult people, and they tend to gravitate toward people they think they can bully. Notice they never seem to pick on the confident nurses, right? Honestly, so what if she is talking about you in report? Other nurses are smart, and are aware what she is up to. Do your job to the best of your ability, take constructive criticism, and don't let it affect you. If it were me, and I found out she was criticizing me behind my back, I would directly confront her each and every time, and let her know that if she has any issues with you she is to come directly to you. It might not do any good, but it will let her know that you are on to her and won't take crap from her. As for the problem of the other nurses not taking care of your patients while you were dealing with 2 active labor patients (a complete handful...), I would go straight to the unit manager and decide how she wants this to be handled as a department. If it were me, I wouldn't just assume that someone was taking care of my patients, I would directly find the nurse who should be responsible, give her a short report and let her know that you are handing over care while you have labor patients. Then, chart "Report given to .....RN", naming the nurse by name. If this nurse doesn't take care of your (now her) patients while you are dealing with labor patients, it is her liability now. I know this is difficult, but you shouldn't let one nurse affect your career. If you need OB experience to do your job better, by all means stay and get it. It sounds like your unit manager wants you to stay and is supportive, so why let difficult coworkers drive you off? Don't let them win. Be strong and confident, stand up for yourself, and document any exchanges with them so you can show your manager.

I am a new grad working in a smallish hospital which crosstrains everyone to work all units. There are usually only 3 nurses scheduled at one time, so we all have to be able to help each other. Maybe going to a smaller hospital for a while would give you the opportunity you are looking for?

Good Lord, that is horrible. "Make" her daughter have a natural labor? What kind of a sick person wants to see her child suffer? I just can't even imagine....

You know, I can understand needing to vent at times. There have been times in my nursing career where I have been mistreated by a patient, and it is hard to deal with, and I have vented to my coworkers. But, feeling the need to vent because a patient asks a question, or because you hear the same questions over and over? That is a bit baffling to me. Is answering patient questions seriously so overwhelming to you that you need to vent? I am with the nursing student on this one. The average Joe and Jane in America doesn't have the medical knowledge that we do, and they are looking to us to answer their questions. Some of y'all are seriously way too easily annoyed. What is wrong with using the term "take the baby?" You all know what they mean. Just because they don't say, "The doctor is going to perform a Cesearean section" that is annoying to you? And I agree that the remarks made to the nursing student were condescending. They were made with the intent to discount his or her opinion, which is condescending. Again, I understand the need to vent when dealing with situations that are truly difficult. Answering a question or educating a patient is part of the job. Even if you are as sweet as pie to your patients, they can pick up on your attitudes.

So, if I understand correctly, you are going to be expected to work labor and delivery with only a couple of days of orientation? Or just postpartum? Either way, that isn't long enough. I am going to be starting in OB next week, also in a smallish rural hospital averaging around 30-40 deliveries a month. My nurse manager said to expect 3-6 months orientation, depending on what I need. I will orient to the postpartum patients and nursery first, then when I can function independently in those areas and after I take a fetal monitoring class I will be cross trained to work labor and delivery. There are so many things that can go wrong in labor that I can't imagine *not* having an extensive orientation. Most L/D nurses I have talked to say it takes at least a year or two to feel even remotely competent.

I am getting ready to start working in OB, eventually training to work L&D. When I asked about it, the director said they had had one male nurse working OB at one time, but he decided it wasn't for him. As for doing lady partsl checks, I am not sure what the policy is or why it should matter. I can understand the need to have another nurse present just to prevent accusations from crazy people, but if that is the case male obstetricians should also have a female escort. Personally, I think it is really sad to see the world coming to this, but I would gladly give a few minutes of my time to keep a male coworker from being falsely accused of something. I think most younger women today are more open minded about having a male take care of them since there are more and more male nurses. We are all professionals and should have the choice as to where we work. A male should be able to choose labor and delivery, and a female should be able to choose ER (another topic, I know, but the male director of nursing at the hospital where I precepted got reprimanded for *only* hiring males to work ER....)

I guess I wasn't clear in my post. I did follow up, or attempt to, at least. I left 2 voice mails, one when I didn't hear back from her, and one last week when I got my date to take boards, telling her I was still interested. When she didn't return my phone calls, I assumed she wasn't interested. Should I have kept trying to call? I was never offered a job by her until today. I didn't want to seem annoying or overly aggressive. I didn't apply at any other hospitals until last week because I was still waiting for this other one to come through. I interviewed last Thursday and received a job offer on Friday, and went for my physical yesterday. I would love to take job number 1, but number 2 is a good opportunity as well. Just not my dream job, but oh well.

I am a bit frustrated here, and wondering if I did something wrong. About 3 weeks ago, I interviewed for an RN position in the CCU. It is absolutely my dream job. I would get to cross train to the open heart unit, and receive tons of skills and training, which is wonderful for a new grad. I thought the interview went very well, and I was really excited about the possibility. I interviewed on a Wednesday, and the nurse manager said she would let me know her decision by the following Thursday. Well, needless to say, Thursday came and went. I even called and let her know the date I would be taking boards, the 22nd of this month. I left a message on her voice mail a week ago, and when I heard nothing back I just assumed they weren't interested in hiring me. Meanwhile, I interviewed for a job as an LPN extern in the OB department of another hospital. It isn't my first choice, but still something I thought I would enjoy. I was offered a full time job and accepted, and went in for my physical and drug screen yesterday. So, today the first hospital calls me with a full time job offer. I was stunned! It had been 3 weeks with no news. I politely told them I was already employed, because I don't feel that I can back out of the other job offer now that I have already been through the physical process. I just hope I made the right decision. I am very disappointed, and hope it works out for the best with this other job. Has anyone been through something similar? Should I have kept waiting on this other job, and maybe passed up a good offer elsewhere?

I guess I was lucky since I had a wonderful preceptor. At my school, they required a preceptor to have 2 years work experience minimum, which is a good idea I think. I agree with the poster who said older, experienced nurses are opting out because of the time commitment. I couldn't believe the paperwork and time that was involved with being a preceptor, and all for no pay!

I think the RN shortage is pretty much regional. In my area, there are several nursing schools so there is a steady supply of new nurses. Hospitals are still hiring, but I can't get on at the hospital in my town, I will need to commute for a while. There definitely *are* jobs out there, you just might either have to commute or relocate like the other posters said.

I have a bachelor's in social work, although I never worked in the field. About a year before graduating, I realized that my heart is in nursing. I went back right away and did a year long LPN training program, and worked as an LPN for around 12 years. I am now finishing up an ASN program in May and will start the remaining classes for my BSN in the fall. The reason I waited so long to return to school after getting my LPN license is because I had 4 children very close in age, and I wanted to spend their preschool years with me mainly at home. I worked prn or contingent BY CHOICE for most of those years, averaging around 24 hours per week. I could have easily had a full time position, I just didn't want it. Most of my classes transferred into my ASN program, and I have just found out that they will also all transfer into the RN-BSN program I am starting. I did have to take a few prereq type classes, like developmental psych, A&P, and micro, but the school I am attending allows us to take them along with some of our nursing classes.

I have always managed to find time to eat and pee during my shifts. I hear from other nurses that they don't even have time to use the bathroom, and it always amazes me. It takes, what, 2 minutes? I can count on one hand shifts where I haven't been able to take a short break, and those were due to an emergency or staffing problem. Obviously if there is a critical emergency then that is going to have priority. But, I really think it is possible to take a few minutes to sit down and eat and drink something, even if it means taking my charting in the report room while I am eating a sandwich. In order to advocate for our patients we also need to be sure that our own needs are being met. Eating and peeing are basic needs that will affect your health if they aren't met.

I am planning to eventually move into a teaching position or health education of some type. Floor work is exhausting, and I can see how the wear and tear can really get to you over time. That being said, I do work with several nurses who are in their 50s and 60s who have worked med surg their entire life. One lady retired and still works contingent. I think it is a very individual thing, as we all age differently. I would think some kind of management position would be perfect for you since you have so many years of knowledge under your belt.

I used to work doubles all the time, starting at 6 am and ending at 10:30 pm. For me, the key to getting through it was taking a 15 minute break every 4 hours. I know we are all busy and taking a break is difficult, but working long, stressful hours require that we take care of ourselves physically and mentally. For me, taking more short breaks is more refreshing than a longer lunch break, plus it gives you something to look forward to. I would go in the break room, have a snack, sit down for a few minutes and just veg. I have also found that by taking a short break, I work more quickly and efficiently after coming back. I focus and concentrate better when my batteries are recharged.