AnthonyD

Well, my shadow shift went great! I loved it :)

Yes it would be 20hrs in L&D and 20hrs in ICU, and I would not be "pullable" from one unit to work in the other during my scheduled shifts. After orientation, I would also do call in L&D in addition to the 20hrs per week. That's reassuring to hear. The manager of the floor had already known of my interest, as I'd talked to her about it in the past, and she told me she'd be happy to have me work there if I ever decided to make a change from ICU. So when I asked to shadow, she was very receptive to the idea.

It is important to me, particularly knowing the shifts, holidays and call I'd be required to do, as I'll be splitting time between two departments. Thanks, I appreciate the advice. Can I ask how your experience has been, as a male in L&D? Any particular advice in that regard?

I'm an experienced Critical Care nurse, currently working in a combined medical/surgical ICU for the past several years, but I have been interested in Labor and Delivery for a while now... (it was actually my favorite clinical rotation as a nursing student) so I finally decided to see if it might be a good fit. I know the manager of our labor floor, so I met with her and we set up a date for me to shadow a nurse on the floor. I'm hoping to get some ideas of what questions I should ask while I'm there. I've already talked about call requirements, nurse/patient ratios, and the basic stuff - hours, shift and holiday requirements. etc. I'm looking for more specifics that I probably don't even know to ask. Thanks!

If you have a cut or open wound on those areas, it should probably already be covered while you're at work. Also, there are much messier things than CPR that you're likely to encounter on a day to day basis.

I think I could learn a lot from NOADLS

Usually business casual, unless you are also scheduled to work on the floor either before or after the class - in which case it should be fine to show up in scrubs.

I think getting to know your coworkers, and allowing them to get to know you, is an important part of being a team. I realize you were just venting, but it sounds like you have a very cynical point of view. Things like your age and where you are from are really just part of everyday conversation. I honestly don't mean to sound rude, but I think you might need to reevaluate this claim. (Especially since you said yourself that you "genuinely don't care.")

I don't understand. It sounds like he came over to let you know he was getting two of your patients and he was waiting for report, but you just stood there saying nothing. Then you got frustrated because HE didn't say anything, and you refused to give him report on your patients? What am I missing??

I wear the Fitbit Surge. It's the one that is also a full sized watch. I needed a new watch, and I had been wanting a Fitbit, so this was an obvious choice for me. The only annoyance is that I work nights and the steps reset to zero at midnight, haha!

Are you an AACN member? Perhaps consider getting involved in your local chapter.

Send me a PM, I'd be happy to chat.

They're going to ask you a lot of questions, and they only expect you to be as honest and accurate as you can. If you can't remember something, or you're not sure - just say that. But try your best not to "fill in the blanks" with your best recollection if you're not really sure. It's not as scary as it seems.

No monetary incentives here, but I'm happy to do it anyway.

I think you are confusing "right to work" with "employment at will"