happy place

Have you thought about working at 2 separate places in case your employer wont let you have all of that overtime?

Don't schedule interviews too far in advance either... I did this a few months ago, I scheduled it one week in advance because I was working and couldn't get time off, and the day before my actual interview I was called, interview canceled, and told all of the positions where filled. It is a TOUGH market here, with many applicants for few positions. Also, I SERIOUSLY believe that recruiters do not look through the hundreds of resumes they receive. I am honestly amazed I got the job I have now because I have heard many people that applied to this unit with a lot more experience than me and were not even called for an interview.

I have let the parents take home the blankets. Not everyone, just the ones who ask or already have the baby swaddled at discharge. I think it would make the hospital look cheap and petty if I were to ask them for the blanket back at discharge. I know that would be the only thing the patient would remember from their hospital experience is how cheap the hospital was.. really it is only a few dollars for the blanket and it is not worth the bad press .

Better outdoor activities in SA and Austin, much prettier as well. Have you visited any of theses places?

Wow, I have 1.5 years of experience and it would take me 29 years to make what I make now- and that is day shift without my differentials for weekend! I also live in Houston where the cost of living is very low!

The only thing I have heard about HH is be careful who you work for. Meaning, some agencies, or employers, may not have enough assignments to work you full time, and they may try and tell you otherwise to get you in the door. Also, I have heard alot of complaints about nurses having to pay for gas. Other than that most nurses I have talked to seem to really enjoy this specialty!! Good luck !!

SAD, but so TRUE!!!!

There is so much that needs to be charted now that I am constantly in fear that I am forgetting to chart something. My solution was to find a job at a hospital that had higher nurse to patient ratios.. Instead of taking 6 pts, I have 4-5 now at the new facility.

I make $29.00/hr days in a hospital with 1 yr exp; and was offered $17.00/hr at a doctors office. I would prefer the doctors office, but I can't justify the pay difference. Wish I could find an MD's office that paid more. However, since I started working my new specialty I have been much happier!

Congrats for losing the weight!! Can you tell your employer you have to have a hysterectomy or something so they will be empathetic and give you time off?? How about a doctors note stating you cant work??

The facility has a separate postpartum and nursery dept and you do not float between the two. I was offered a position in either dept and was told I will NEVER float to L&D. Thanks for all of the replies, it has helped me quite a bit. It is good to hear other peoples perspectives who are not bias and who do not know me personally. I just wanted to add that where I live the trend is heading AWAY from couplet/LDRP and towards seperated pp and nursery units, due to the baby not getting as much attention. I think couplet care is the best care wise because you are taking care of baby and mom, but if we are assigned 4 or more couplets, we are so busy with mom we dont spend as much time on baby, especially if they are fresh c-sect.

Which is better? I was asked to choose... I don't ever want to do L&D so that doesn't play into my decision and I don't ever want to work med/surg, ICU, ER etc. I want to stay in Women's Service's, but I don't know which is the more likable job. I am looking for something that will be more enjoyable, and rewarding. I am not concerned about losing my skills, which my sister seems to point at regularly! My experience has been in couplet care, which I love!! But, the facility I applied at doesn't do it that way. I can't decide!! I love this specialty, but I have never just worked nursery or just postpartum by itself. Does anyone work in either specialty? and would like to offer some advice? I have until tomorrow to decide.

Scary, sounds like he attended a very crappy nursing school. This is basic fundamentals.

Better question after reading these posts: Where are you least likely to lose your license?

Can you switch to a different specialty?