vernix

Regarding OB being in your blood. Branch out it will strengthen your OB skills. Consider finding a high risk L&D. We do 300++ deliveries/mo. Our census has been down too with mandatory "cancels". We have also had lay-offs and "bumping". Union support has been important at our hospital with "these times" Also consider getting your RNC. Mid-wife? MD? Women's health NP? Travel nursing? NICU? Just a thought. Take care and keep going. You make a difference.

Hello, There are lots of pros and cons to nursing. I made the decision at 18. It took me awhile to complete my courses...life and a little thing called maturity. I took time off and worked as a CNA in a LTC (nursing home) for over a year also as a "Kelly Girl" .. a home CNA. According to my Father he was floored that I chose nursing. He thought writing was my strong point. Hmmm. It was teaching or nursing. In the early '80s teachers were being laid off. So nursing it was. I rationalized that nurses would have a job even in war or famine. I thought a woman should be able to support herself and family "just in case." "Just in case" situations come around more often than one would like. Nursing has never let me down and I now consider it a calling, my vocation. Buckets of tears, angst and some laughs (Just so you know, don't wear a pair of felt antlers and red nose into your patients room on Christmas.... or feed your Hindu pt beef....it is okay to tell the Dr. he needs to pull up his scrubs.. just don't laugh at his pink panther boxers.... or the pink panther...) During school you will learn about every disorder, disease, syndrome, malady. Before you turn the page you will have a scourge that will kill you before dinner. Normal and funny once you get over it. Just wash your hands before you eat! Those pages are contagious! I took time off school because I was afraid I couldn't handle seeing someone die. A DEAD body! As a home care CNA that fear was quickly put to rest.... I survived! My fear was more scary that the actual event. I remember every moment and it has been 25 years. This dear man was a blessing up to the minute he passed. I am grateful. If we think hard enough we can talk ourselves out of anything. Don't worry about age it happens to all of us. You will be the same age whether you go to school or not :). When I was an undergrad one of my classmates was a 72 year old stout great-grandmother who wore polyester skirts, and lace up shoes with rolled kneehighs. She told me to always gargle with Listerine and peroxide "an yous won' git sick" she graduated cum laude and turned around for her masters the following year. I declined the Listerine but her joy and accomplishments are engraved in my mind. Yes, nursing is tiring, shift work, illness, varicose veins,"difficult" people and weekends, holidays. In your present profession you already work weekends, have to handle "difficult". A realator has t be service oriented. Lots of people work holidays... police, fire, the kid at the gas station. You won't work every holiday (unions do help with that). You will make a difference. It's even fun to work your birthday... esp when you are placing a newborn into his mother's arms. Nursing will require effort. Something is tugging at your heart... give it a shot. No pun intended.... Oh, and regarding my Dad thinking I should write? Well, I had to have something to write about. I was blessed enough to add my name to the "published author" list last month. I hope Dad reads my story in heaven. Let us know how everything is going. Blessings.

Hi, Yes, I had to leave due to a move. I ended up with many opportunities that gave me wonderful skills. I ended up moving out of the country, getting a Master's, developed and ran a perinatal program. I taught breastfeeding and prepared child-birth, did home visits until the child was 1 year and participated in a research endeavor that focused on domestic violence. I learned how to give presentations to executives and that children of all ages love hugs. When I went back to L&D, I found that my skills and understanding of families had deepened because I branched out of hospital nursing for a while. Your experiences in ER have already improved and broadened your skills clinically and perceptually. It's okay to have a primary love in our profession but moving around a bit really does make a difference. ER does not have to be permanent. We have people coming and going... and returning. Sometimes I have become so uncomfortable in a situation that it works as a strong prompt to grow a different way. I try to always make moves that will create doors...while trying not to burn the proverbial bridge :). People that show broadened skills are more likely to be given more opportunities. You'll be less likely to hear... "you don't have experience in....." I'm not saying job hopping. Stay long enough to get off of probation....lol.. Have you thought about becoming SANE certified? "Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner." Some of our L&D nurses do this on the side. There is also antepartal home care and perhaps working with the perinatology or OB/GYN clinic. They love L&D RNs. Staff dynamics can really be interesting. I am lucky in that area but.... we are women..! switch weekends? part-time? on call? different facility? Last night we had a party for our charge RN... after 44 years of hosp. nursing she is retiring. She finished her career in L & D but also brought a depth of knowledge to us with her 10 years in psych, as a DON, intructor, and many other wonderful insights that helped strengthen me as "young" 20 year RN. Keep going. I am sure you make a difference. Pregnant people scare even the best ER staff... at least that's the way they act where I work. :). Every blessing.

Hi, It takes courage to ask for opinions. There are a few thoughts that come to mind just to chew on. You wrote that you were bored. Bored with exactly what? What part of yourself do you want to develop and give to yourself? family? society? An interesting journal activity is to write ones obituary... what would make you think "job well done"? "life well lived"? It's okay to dislike/hate/despise etc... pretty much anything but what is it exactly that is triggering these feelings? Consider doing some writing about it. It may help reign in the growing feelings so that they don't keep you from reaching your goals.... also consider the concept that feelings change and acting on a "feeling" rarely is productive (If I acted on some of the feelings I've had.... an orange jumpsuit would be my new uniform :)...LOL) Is it possible that fear of the unknown or having expectations of perfection is at the root of your feelings? Now for a practical thought. You are 5-6 months away from a degree and liscense that creates doors. If you were to come to me for professional advice. I would strongly encourage you to finish this degree. Take your boards and then maintain your RN with CEUs. This is very easy to do. NEVER let your license lapse. Nurses work every where... sales, research, engineering, own businesses. It is very flexible and worthwhile. I have worked with people who finished their RN and then worked in forestry, television, research, accounting, medical web design, HR.. For me personally I try to maintain as many "doors of opportunity" I can. The wild opportunities that have come my way were unplanned and enriching. What actions will enrich your life and your family's? Just some thoughts. Good luck to you.

Hi, I took five years off to care for my son and deal with my own health issues. I wanted to return to hospital care and my previous work had been at a clinic. I signed up for an RN refresher course that had a hospital clinical. It was through a local community college. There was a waiting list so it took a few months. There were about 20 of us. The one who was hired first was an RN who had not practiced for 25 years. I was the youngest at 38. Recruiters even came to talk to us. Ask if there is tuition reimbursement for college... then ask for your refresher tuition to be paid once an offer is on the table. There may also be a finders bonus if you are referred by a friend who works for the company. Make sure that person has all the paperwork put in through HR or he/she may be out of a healthy bonus. At our hosp. it is over $1000. My neighbor didn't get it because of no paperwork before I interviewed. Regarding your health, mental health, children, marital status, sexual orientation, hair color, tattoos, race etc.... questions about those subjects are not supposed to be asked... if they are... perhaps answering by changing the subject back to "here are my letters of recommendation".... may redirect the interviewer. If not then maybe working for that supervisor isn't going to be a good fit. Do not answer any personal questions. I have found a great interview tool is to organize all of my letters, CEU certificates, license, resume and copies of my resume into a nice binder. I got a leather look a like in the office section at the local ---mart. The zippered kind are really nice. I put everything in clear page protectors. Sometimes I'm asked for a transcript or diploma so I have copies of those. Organize according to need. I like Resume, license, certifications, letters, CEUs., diploma, transcript. Put the word out that you are looking. Call people who know people in the area you want to work. Don't be shy. Every blessing and congrats on dusting off the ol' nursing shoes. :heartbeat:nurse:

Hi, first off people complain about everything. It is normal to be really scared during life transitions like finishing school. Your first nursing job after graduation is the real education. Remember you will have a preceptor to show you the ropes AND extra education for any thing you need like telemetry, fetal monitoring, etc. I used to have a book for new nurses. I think it was called "surviving the first year of nursing" or "your first year as a nurse." I made the decision to be an RN when I was 18. There have been times when the fit wasn't right (cardiac) and opportunities that were life highlights (working in Central America). As a nurse if you don't like an area you get to change and each experience makes you stronger. Some nurses start in a specialty and never leave others are restless and have worked several places. Nursing has so many exciting options! Take a big breath, relax, pass your tests. Interview in several places to see what is out there before you make a decision to stay where you are. I have never regretted being a nurse. The nurses I work with don't either...even the cranky ones. Keep going the profession needs you! Blessings and nursing hugs !

Congrats! I took my RNC this Wednesday after procrastinating.....for 3YEARS!! I got stuck on the same pit question. It was the only one I flagged. I felt like such a dope. The answer I kept getting wasn't a choice. I finally just clicked an answer to stop the pain. I passed. I get a bonus and my name on the wall of fame (directly across from the wall of shame). I do wish I knew the correct answers for any I missed but I'll take the Pass and move on. Congrats again on your achievement.

Thank you! Congratulations to everyone! Keep writing and sharing! Have a beautiful day!

Sorry to hear about the grade. It is one test and learning how to take a test is 90% of the battle. I want to share some stress reducers to help you focus when the brain starts to wander or you start to get anxious. BLUE DOT: Close your eyes. Slow deep breath-- imagine a movie screen that has a tiny blue dot in it's center. Watch it slowly get bigger to fill the whole screen and then slowly return to a tiny dot. Deep breath. Open eyes resume task. Note: You can change the color to a favorite soothing color of your choice. Blues/greens/purples/pinks are historically relaxing hues. The second method is called SQUARE BREATHING: Imagine a square and breathe in slowly while following the top line from L to R. Exhale slowly while following the descending line. Breathe in and follow the line on the bottom. Exhale on the ascending line. Repeat. Square breathing to count of four Breathe in to count 1, exhale count 2. Inhale to count 3. Exhale to count four. I used to teach stress management ( I was the one who had the most to learn) I also had my share of learning curve grades. Write your goal on a card and post it --- I post my goals on the bathroom mirror. When I do this I rarely miss my mark. ( An example is I have an A in Biochemistry. My 2008 GPA is 3.2. Yes, this really works. Get a tutor if needed no one is good at everything Eat a protein with a good carb. Such as an egg with an apple. Tuna salad. Easy on the java (makes you need to hit the loo mid exam) Get sleep over late studying. Walk and stretch before sitting for the exam. Persevere and you will succeed. Every blessing.

Hi, Please don't let age get in the way of your expertise. You will have more "work" than you want. I know with change we can be unsure of ourselves. I married and moved to a "developing country" .... I ended up being hired to develop and administer a program for new parents. It was a career highlight for me. The beauty of nursing is we look for willing hearts and working hands. I am excited for you and the new adventure! Blessings and peace.

Hi Julie, The advice that has been given is spot on. The many years ago that I was in your shoes are not forgotten. I hope you took the phone triage offer. Triage is not easy for the novice OB RN, HOWEVER, it is experience in the field and the fact that you were offered the position is a "baby" step :) for you. Consider making a 15 minute appt. with the hiring manager of the unit you want to work on to discuss the training process, what she looks for in an applicant, ask to job shadow so you can gain information about labor and delivery and attached units (ante/post). Come dressed as if for a job interview--no jeans etc. This is important because first impressions DO last. Bring a notebook with questions and write down her answers. Please do not say "I've looked every where and they want experience... how do I get it if no one gives me a chance!" This reads as whiny and frustrated. Be there to show interest in her unit and what she has to say...you are there for information and facts about the process. After the appt. send a handwritten thank you for her time. If you are nervous, role play your questions with a friend or someone you know who supervises in any capacity. Many people want to work in only one area of the OB spectrum. Be willing to learn all of them. Any position that is related to L&D is important. The multiple skills will help you throughout your career. Be willing to take any of the positions ante, post, nursery, lactation, OB clinic etc. There may be times later in your career where you need to work in these areas. (Life outside of work happens..) The initial shift work and hours can be difficult but there will be openings, hiring from within is standard. If you have an opportunity to work med/surg for a year or more this is also very valuable. Try to be patient as you learn these skills. The seasoned med/surg RN is a piece of gold; learn as much as possible from these professionals. Mothers come to us with many psycho-social and health issues....cardiac, diabetes, gallbladder,renal, obesity, addiction, homelessness, incarceration, psych disorders the list goes on... How did I get started in L&D? Pretty much the above. When I went to talk to the Birth Place MGR I was working in the hosp. on the tele unit (I cried at least once a week and it wasn't for joy). Unknown to me they were expanding..I walked away with a position in postpartum...nights. At this hosp you worked a min. of 1 yr.postpartum before being interviewed for a POSSIBLE ante/L&D slot. The most junior RN had worked in L&D for 5 years already. In my head I joked the only way to get to L&D was for someone to die or retire (it was actually true :). Somehow, 18 years in OB flew by and because of life outside of my career... I'm jr. on the seniority list...working rotating shifts in L&D at a large hosp. :) And so it goes.... Every blessing on your journey...it's worth it. Take Care, Vernix