FLIPA

Where I worked, we had policy and procedure guidelines for everything we did. If there was question about how to do something, we would look it up. Granted, you don't always have time for that; but I found that was a big help and you knew you were doing it the way your hospital wanted you to do it. In L&D, we did have a notebook with copies of guidelines pertaining to everything we did back there right at the nurses station, so it was accessable.

Any suggestions for sleeping/eating schedules for night shift? I am going to do 3 months of nights in a month. I worked nights for 2 years, 25 years ago. I had babies then and went to 3-11 pm because I wasn't getting enough sleep working nights. (I didn't get a baby sitter which was wrong, but anyway....) So, also, I have never done 12 hour shifts. This will be 3 12s on the weekend (Fri, Sat, Sun) on OB. Actually, now I stay up until 2 or 3 am and get up around 9 or 10 am. I would like to enjoy my days off during the day. But then how to transition back to nights on Friday? I knew someone on nights who just kept sleeping during the day on her days off. I asked her what she did on her nights off when she was awake (at night). She would read. (That would put me to sleep!) Also, when do you eat "dinner" on nights? (I know, if we get to eat...) When I am awake I usually need to eat something every 4 hours. (Fast metabolism). Do you bring mostly small snacks to munch on, or the meat and potatoes routine? I hope this works. I am over 50, but pretty fit otherwise. Greatly appreciate any advice! Thanks.

Hi, rastanursern! AWHONN (Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses) has a book called: Fetal Heart Monitoring, Principals and Practice, Third Edition, 2005. This is their latest edition. It covers all aspects of fetal monitoring, including the change to the "new" terminology. Parts of it are very "deep", but it contains many charts and suggested guidelines for intervention and treatment that are helpful. There are also case studies and examples of fetal monitor tracings that are interpreted. Your unit should have a copy of it. AWHONN also has fetal monitoring classes offered by instructors at different institutions. Look on their website for information. www.awhonn.org. Good luck with orientation on L&D.

KatieBelle--How long did it take to get the FL license?

Thanks for everyone's help. I actually drove to Baltimore today, since the fingerprint office and the BON office were near each other. (I called them and they explained the process.) Got the application, got the fingerprints (had to wait an hour for that...go early). The BON office was closed til I was done so I will have to mail everything back to them. The packet they gave me seemed simplier to comprend than the website. The fingerprints and background checks are all done (applied for) at the same time. Fee: $57.25. So, now I don't have to wait for Maryland to mail me the application. You cannot download it off their website. I am still trying to get over the "sticker shock". Yearly renewal (per their sign on the desk) was $70.00. Plus fees for the new licenses: $100.00 permanent; $40.00 temporary. The application and instructions for FL was 19 pages after I printed it out. It would be great if all the BONs could unite and have a user friendly (national) system to make it easier for the nurses and other health professionals! None of these states are in the Compact. Anyone know why?

Thanks for your comments. Specifically, where do I go to get fingerprinted and get a background check? Can I use the same fingerprints and background check info for both state applications?

After years of working in the same small hospital in PA, my circumstances have changed and I have a chance to try travel nursing. I trained in FL and would like to go back for part of the year. I have also thought about doing some work in MD. I thought I would get both the FL and MD licenses at the same time to get it all done. I think I have spent a week trying to sift through all the instructions on the 2 BON websites; then throw in PA's rules. It's mind boggling. Is there any easy way to do this? FL says they are changing to an online component that will speed up the time, but eliminate the temp. license. I am not even sure that I have found the link on their website for that. MD is not much better. There are 5 pages of instructions on how to get the fingerprints, and send them to the BON. Oh, and this is going to cost me about $500.00 for the 2 applications!!! (And I complained when PA raised their fees.) A few more questions....do I need a job offer first to get the FL license? I was told I needed the license before they could hire me. The BON wants you to state the name of the facility were you would work; and that's not a done deal yet. Should I take the continuing ed. (med course) first? It seems you don't need the others till you renew. This was a lot easier in 1980. It's sad our society has come to this. But, I still want to work. Any help greatly appreciated.

I am interested in taking a Refresher course (non-credit) at one of the local Community Colleges. I have only been out of work for about 8 months; after 20 plus years of working OB/GYN. My goal is to do agency nursing. One of the schools is NLN approved and the other is ANCC approved. Which is better? When I went to Nursing School (1980), NLN was the Gold Standard. Has that changed? Perhaps, it doesn't matter unless I was applying for a BSN or MSN program. (Which I would love to, but we still have to pay off some of our kids' college loans.) Also, the NLN program is only 2 weeks long and costs $800. while the ANCC program is in 2 parts running the whole Fall semester; the second half being mostly clinical. (Total cost is about $1200.) I would prefer to take the longer course, but then was not sure when I saw that their program was not NLN approved. Any info on this subject is appreciated; and I hope I posted in the correct forum!! Thanks.

You ladies should be assigned to a preceptor--another nurse employed on the unit and who is proficient and knowledgable; especially for L&D. Where I work, the two nurses are assigned the same shift and work together as a team for the duration of the new nurse's orientation to the floor. It takes 6 months to really learn everything you need to know to be safe. And then you never let your guard down, because things can go wrong very quickly in L&D. Hospitals don't always see it that way; especially if there are staffing issues (everywhere!!). Good Luck!

Stacielpn: Thanks for your reply. I see from your other posts that you work in NE MD. I am in South Central PA. Used to live in Newark, DE tho, back in the 70's. So, I don't know if your agency has work around here. Favorite Healthcare Staffing had an ad in the April, 2007 "Nursing Spectrum" magazine saying that they paid RNs up to "$720/shift". The $720 was starred. After reading many posts about agency jobs, there seems to be a lot of "bait and switch". I worked in a community hospital for a very long time, so I am trying to see what else is out there.

How about Favorite Healthcare Staffing? Any good experiences with them in Maryland or PA?

Has anyone had a travel assignment in OB/Mother-Baby? Any companies with good assignments for that speciality? Also, any info on travel assignments in Florida would be helpful. Thanks.