mnbrn

Yes, it may be different in Canada. In the US it is almost impossible for a new grad to get into case management. And you have to have at least two years experience in CM before taking the certification exam.

I got the job! I am so excited. I am researching by going to cmsa.org, and ceu's for UR/CM on nurse.com

Thanks for the input. That's what I plan to do!

I used to work FT days, but switched to PT nights 2 years ago. I have 14 years of NICU experience and 4 years of high risk OBGYN / Mother-Baby nursing experience. I care for high risk antepartum and postpartum women, newborns, gynecology and gyn/onc pts pre and post surgery. As Charge Nurse, I rounded with physicians and case managers, assessed patients' progressive care status, and attended care conferences with families and the team to fine tune the plan of care. I also work with residents. I have questioned many orders and 'put out many fires' in my career. I am now interested in working as a non-bedside nurse. I see CM and UR as a vital component in our evolving health care system. I have interviewed for this position with the manager and team leader, and have a peer interview next week. It is doing Utilization Review for gyn/onc and dialysis pts. (I have peritoneal dialysis experience from NICU, and have had adult pts with dialysis shunts.) My question is this: Is UR the first on the chopping block when lay offs happen? I ask this because lay offs have happened this past year in every hospital system in my area, and one hospital system is starting to merge the CM and UR responsibilities. Any insight and advice would be appreciated!

Trying to decide which path to take. A friend of mine said I would be more marketable with the Family NP vs the Women's Health NP. Would I be considered for a position dealing more with women's health as a FNP?

Is anyone familiar with the Women's Health NP program at the Univerisity of Indianapolis? How is the supply and demand of this specialty? I have nursing experience in NICU and OBGYN. I am not very interested in the adult or family NP areas.

I have never done ER. But on my OBGYN floor, the charge takes a full assignment. I wish that wasn't the case. There is so much to do when in charge, and it is really hard to do patient care with it.

heard of it in NICU, not sure about adults

Doing Charge is tough. On a typical day, I have my own assignment of 3-4 adults (and sometimes a baby or two added to that), which includes hourly rounding. I round with the docs. Do staffing (deal with various depts and people on this). Assign beds for admits. Resource the other nurses. Put out 'fires'. Attend to pt complaints, etc. Do discharge phone calls (or divide them up between everyone). Do 'leadership rounding' on all pts on the floor. Go to meetings. Check med room for discrepencies. Make out assignments, decide who admits which pt. Orient a new nurse. Set the tone. Be positive, helpful, assertive. Everyone has their own style. I am laid back in nature. I tend to keep everyone in the loop in what's going on, include them. I'm open to suggestions. I delegate when I can. I try to deal with what needs done while staying calm and positive. You'll find your own style and what works for you!

Does your unit have goals on what time your discharges should be done by? And what are they? Of course you have to work with your pt's needs and, but do you have a guide?

That's what I thought! Our unit was originally high risk antepartum, postpartum, and newborns. Now due to low census, we are forced to take hospital overflow. When a bowel obstruction or pancreatitis pt asks, we have to say we are a 'women's health unit'. We don't mind expanding to gynecology surgical pts. But come on, women's health does not mean women's med-surg.

That's what I thought too.

When you hear Women's Health Unit, what does it mean to you? OBGYN, or all women with any health condition (medsurg, chest pain, bowel obstruction, post-op, etc).

When you hear Women's Health Unit, what does it mean to you? OBGYN, or all women with any health condition (medsurg, chest pain, bowel obstruction, post-op, etc).

Welcome to healhcare. We really don't get sick days, at my work they are called 'occurances'. All of us go to work when we don't feel our best (unless you are contagious- fever, diarhea, vomiting, etc). We have to staff the unit. When a sick call comes in, we have to scramble to find a replacement, and sometimes we have to work short after a sick call. You will have some of those days and might understand then. Also, it didn't look good that it was your first day off orientation. Sorry. If you have more issues, you may need a letter from your allergist. But, I doubt it will get you anywhere.

Per your hospital's policy. Ours had just changed. Now, it has it's own pump channel, is y'd in close to the pt, and runs for 4 hours. then followed by a 50ml bag of NS. It used to piggy back for 30 mins. The increase in infusion time has to do with the med's peak and how long the anti stays in the pt's bloodstream.

I don't understand what the problem is. Many people have scoliosis, most are diagnosed as children. It can't be that bad if you're just now finding it. It isn't a disability. Have you seen an ortho specialist? Do you have weight restrictions?

I did NICU for 14 years. I love it, but felt it was time for change, so now I do Mother/Baby. NICU- I love the attention to detail, fast pace, high acuity (HFOV, ECMO, Jets, lines, etc), educating family. NICU is very rewarding, but very draining and stressful. Knowledge in mental health is also helpful. Parents are in crisis mode, and need support. Mother/Baby- I am loving it! The pace is steady. Less stressful (esp. after doing NICU). There is potential for complications, so good assessment skills are a must. There is also a lot of educating. Mother/Baby would be a great place to start. Learn good assessment and nursing skills, normal newborn assessment and care, time management, etc. Good luck!!

I can be clumsy and twist my ankles easy. I have dansko's (ingrid?, has a back strap). They are very comfy, no foot - back - or leg pain. But, I twist my foot easy. Would Alegria's be better? The heel doesn't seem as high.

What do you wear? Nursing shoes, or an athletic shoe? White, or black (or other)? Socks- compression, or athletic? White or black? I have worn Nurse Mates, Landau, Cherokee, and now Dansko. All White. I hate how white scuffs and shows dirt. hmmm, not sure what I want to try next.

Association of Women's Health, Obstetric, and Neonatal Nurses. I did NICU for 14 years. I was lucky to get into a facility that wanted to mold and shape a new grad. I was a member of NANN (National Association of Neonatal Nurses). Now, I have switched to PP. We also have high-risk antepartum pts. I am loving it. I mentioned AWHONN in my interview, (I asked something like: I like to keep up with current reasearch and practice. Is AWHONN the most popular organization for nurses in this area?). I am now a member and loving the journals. Good luck!!

Thanks, I will check out all sites suggested. I know it has been approved for both boys and girls. It is fairly new, and I just want to research it before my kids have it.

I know this is not a medical advice thread. With that being said, is there a source you could direct me to for more info on Gardasil? What do you think about the vaccine: safety, research thoroughness, pros/cons, etc?

Yes, be yourself, show the interest you have. Convey that you take the field seriously, and you are ready to learn. Good luck!

I think things happen for a reason. See what doors open to you, and what your gut says. I was lucky, a NICU was hiring a few new grads, and gave us special course work and unit training. Later, I went to the larger NICU I mentioned. I love NICU, but felt it was time for a change. My current OB/GYN positioned opened up right when I needed it. Meant to be. Hope the same happens for you!