polevaultererin

I'm just tired of hearing people say we don't get breaks because we're nurses...blah blah blah...We have too much to do....no one is gonna watch our patients. This is a bunch of crap IMO. This is THE FIRST nursing job that I have had where I haven't gotten my two 10 minute breaks. I don't expect other nurses to chart on my patients while I'm at break, just keep an eye on them. We need to be taking our breaks to mentally recharge...it is for our safety as well as our patients' safety. I think our nurse manager and leads should get out of their offices and cover our breaks if they don't want to allow us to have a resource nurse to cover our breaks since they are so worried about the budget. Absurd!

I almost feel like the nurses on my unit do not support pumping. I've even heard a few say, "you're an L&D nurse, there is no time for pumping!" We are never offered breaks and when i do tell my charge nurse that I am going to take my break, it's almost like an inconvenience for them to have to watch my patient(s). I mentioned this to the director of nursing a couple weeks ago and she seemed shocked, but i have yet to see any changes being made. Honestly, depending on who the charge nurse is, (some are more receptive towards breaks than others), I will just go on my 10 minute break without saying a word to anyone and cross my fingers (I keep my cell phone on me in case someone needs to get ahold of me, of course). It's either that or get denied my breaks...

I need advice on how your L&D departments manage breaks (lunch breaks are not the issue in my department). We NEVER get our morning and afternoon breaks and I am fed up already...especially since it is against the law not to give us those breaks. I would greatly appreciate any advice you guys have. I feel like the next step would be to go to HR or talk with a member of the nurses union since I've already spoken to our Director of Women's Services about it. It is especially frustrating for me because I am still breastfeeding my baby and I need these breaks to pump!

Anyone interview at Sharp Grossmont for the NICU? My interview was 3 weeks ago and I'm still waiting to hear.

Thanks Purple_KicksRN! Best of luck to you as well :)

I've got an interview Monday for the Grossmont NICU!!!

Anyone heard from Grossmont L&D or NICU?

Nicole15, which hospital did you apply at for L&D? I applied at Grossmont. Still waiting to hear. GL with your interview! :)

I'm from San Diego. I actually work at Sharp...been an RN for 7 months, but wanting to change units.

They aren't sending emails this time to confirm that the portfolios are received. I guess because of the volume of applicants.

Good News!!! An RN new grad program opened yesterday. They are accepting RNs with less than 12 months experience! I applied to L&D and NICU. I'm a little nervous about breaking the news to my nurse manager tomorrow. Also, do you think it's ok if I send an email to the nurse managers of the units I applied to? I found their email addresses through my work email since this new grad program is with the same organization, but different hospital. Or would that be creepy? I just want to make myself stand out! Thanks again!

Thanks very much! I'm not givin up!

Hi everyone! :) I have only been an RN for 7 months. I started out in a float pool doing rotations in medical oncology, med-surg/orthopedic, and tele. I made tele my "home unit" in December. I don't enjoy the floor I am working on at all. I know that I definitely want to work postpartum, L&D or in the NICU! Any advice on how to get closer to my goal? I emailed the Director of Women's Services at my hospital about a week and a half ago to see if there are any classes I could take or how I should prepare and she never responded. (She probably laughed when she saw I only have 7 months experience!) Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

It really just depends on your willpower and determination. I consider working out to be a priority in my life (like eating, sleeping, etc.). I make sure I work out at least 5 days a week, but mostly 6. Best advice I could give you is to stay away from all the food your coworkers/classmates will bring! I am so surprised at how unhealthy many nurses eat. I always take my own food to work and very rarely will I eat the junk food that my coworkers share with everyone. So stay motivated, resist the temptation to indulge in all those empty calories, and stay strong! :)

I was offered a job at Sharp Chula Vista in San Diego for their new grad program on med surg, tele, and medical oncology.