OHIBB

Congrats!

erin, there are lots of resources for guided imagery. if you are interested in some sites and materials, pm me i'll be happy to share what i know. moderator note: please do not use email addresses in posts thanks

My first job out of nursing school was PP/Nursery/L&D. We learned all 3 areas. It was a large enough unit, that I was never the only L&D nurse, and I was always there with a more experienced nurse. I think the orientation is imperative. The department needs to be sure to provide a very thorough orientation. I worked in Risk Management for a while, then as a house supervisor, and then managed an OB unit for about 7 years. Labor & Delivery nurses do best if they are easy going, able to flex with what's going on in the unit. I hired 1 new grad ( the only one that applied ) because she was very enthusiastic, very much a people person, had a bright smile. She was one of my best nurses. Dress nice, nice pair of dress pants, no revealing shirts or anything (sorry, we can't see each other) I think managers do consider how you present yourself at an interview, man some people interviewed in jeans, with their stomachs peeking out.... Put your best foot forward, I'm sure you'll do great! Good luck.

Guided Imagery would be a wonderful non pharmaceutical addition to treatment. In a recent article by the American Psychological Assn, (go to their website and the article is, Want Better Health? Use Your Head) they refer to studies where patients that underwent surgery that used guided imagery before their procedures, used less medication after the procedure, had increased recovery time, and had fewer post op complications. Guided imagery has a lot of research behind it that supports it's effectiveness in reducing pain, especially chronic pain.

Cleed2004 So are you using your skills in your current position? I would love to hear how integrative skills work at the bedside or in patient care areas.