Idiosyncratic

I chose the first one with the retirement. I had initially(before the first one got back to me) tentatively accepted the lower volume one. However, I rescinded my tentative acceptance given a much closer location offered me a position. Thankfully they understand. So I’m filling out my information for the first one, have my new hire appointment on Wednesday and start 10/18 ?

Surprise is pretty good, but just a warning - housing is gnarly right now.

Thank you. I had tentatively accepted the slower hospital, but I was worried the commute would burn me over time. Since I do want to travel nurse(many many many years down the road), the volume of experiences is more aligned with my long term goals. I appreciate the advice!

Hey Everyone, I just recently got three offers for very different facilities and I'm wondering what is your biggest thing to focus on when it comes to making a decision? I've tentatively made a decision but I don't know if it's a good choice. I am PP trained but not Labor. One of the facilities is a county hospital, pays OK, has a mandated retirement(12.22% - is employer matched), diverse populace(sees refugees, inmates, teens, etc), is a teaching hospital, has no call schedule, and does about 1500-2000 deliveries a year. It's also a 40-50 minute drive and has a Level III NICU onsite. Only thing, not the best area given it's downtown. Would solely be L&D, can cross-train if wanted but not necessary. Second facility is 2.5 hours away, pays decent, offering 12500 sign-on bonus over 2 years, has not been able to keep directors(the current one that interviewed me hasn't been there for a month yet) so she says culture isn't the best, I wouldn't live here(very poor area), has a call scheduled(one 12 hour and one 6 hour shift in a 4-week block), but does 1800-2400 deliveries a year. Also has a level II NICU. Would solely be L&D with periodic floating/cross training. Third facility is 1.5 hours away, pays alright(lowest of the 3), offering 2500 relocation bonus given on first check, is an LDRP model(but you are allowed to "specialize"), uses a laborist model, has no call schedule, moving here would be super difficult because it's a desired area, they also have SIM dummies for training, they just got bought out by Dignity Health but they do only about 900-1100 deliveries a year. They have a Level II Continuing Care Nursery. SORRY FOR THE BOOK! Thanks to anyone who read the whole thing. My question is, as a new to service nurse in labor and delivery with postpartum experience at a very fast-paced hospital - does the number of deliveries matter when it comes down to it? Should I be taking the higher delivery locations as opposed to lower? Or will it be alright? Is there anything else I need to consider?

Honestly, the biggest thing I would suggest is you need to find ways to stand out. Do an Introduction to Fetal Heart Monitoring Course and the Intermediate(usually the minimum they want for these positions), make sure you have your ACLS, NRP and some places even want you to have your PALS. At least with these, you'll stand out because they won't have to wait for you to get them. ? A lot of the time it is all dependent on getting through the robot HR application process and they will filter out based on needs. Perhaps also look into PostPartum, Antepartum or Nursery? Then you're at least getting your foot in the door. ?

THIS! My agency just recently decided they were going to give us oncall rotations. I asked if we could get a day off in the week following if our weekend was full. Which it's likely going to be. I was told no. I was told I could schedule my Monday later so I can sleep in. Not worth it IMO.

Honestly, I would guess that it would depend on how it is being reported at the other nursing board. Best advice, contact the AZBON and ask them. Their website may have a few directions for you as well. Best of luck!

Is it the temp RN number they issued you? If so, no it does not necessarily mean that you passed. However, if they gave your permanent number without the giant TEMP#######, then I'd say you passed. Have you tried the pearson trick?

Honestly, I think it'll really depend. I know that oncall where I was you had to be within 30 minutes of the hospital. There were nights where we had absolutely no patients. It's very inconsistent. I was always advised to save as much of my PTO as possible(even the half hours) for this reason.

I know the valley health system usually does. So any of those hospitals will generally work. ?

My first facility hired NA’s for postpartum but not for labor and delivery. In postpartum they would do vital signs, help take patients off the floor at discharge, stock rooms, sometimes help with baby needs but not usually. A lot of these areas were RN only care.

I was able to get into mother baby/postpartum fresh out of nursing school but I was also willing to move 7 hours from where I was at the time living. I was able to land the job before I even graduated. All I had to do was ensure I had the needed certifications, and whatnot. During the interview, I just expressed my passion based on my experiences during my clinical. On my application, I had a cover letter/resume specified to OB/LD/PP. ? Some things I’ve heard suggested, get certifications necessary for the department. For example, any labor, delivery, nursery, postpartum etc position is going to require NRP - neonatal resuscitation program. Some PP departments may want your ACLS, but most won’t. They will at least want your BLS. Nursery positions may require you to get your S.T.A.B.L.E. Labor and delivery will want your ACLS, NRP, and a fetal heart monitoring course. I know a friend of mine who got into labor and delivery fresh from school only needed the intro. I will say, mother baby or postpartum will be easier to get into as a new grad than labor and delivery but don’t lose hope! Just keep applying. And volunteer too, if you can. That can look good as well! Good luck!

I would say, if they are knowing you’re a new grad and not expecting you to get certificates- everything you’ve done is ample preparedness! Be prepared to learn, ask questions, take advice and learn some more! I’d imagine since you’re a new grad(I could be wrong) they will help you get your ACLS/FHM/NRP. They likely will also train you to the specifics of your department. I know the facility I got hired at does an AWHONN based training program so you can learn current practices. Just remember - as a new grad - NO ONE EXPECTS YOU TO KNOW EVERYTHING! If you’re confused, ask for help. If you don’t know something, that’s OK! You’re not expected to. ?

Figured I would update; I got the job!! ?

OK, awesome, thank you! I'm just glad it's AFTER my interview. The last one I had was before, and my hair was a complete mess..they also didn't let me change out of the scrubs into my interview outfit. Felt very out of place and uncomfortable to say the least! I will go buy a small notebook tonight, I think I only have big ones LOL.

Thank you for this! I am not a new grad, I have 2.5 years in postpartum, home health and med surg. Im very nervous because I know this will end up being an extenuation of my interview. But I will take these tips. Are there any massive donts while I’m shadowing? I haven’t done it in a good many years and it was a VERY different position.

Hello all! I landed another interview with an LDRP training program in my area more up north where it'll bee cooler. Anyways, they want to do an interview followed by shadowing a nurse for a couple hours. I offered to bring my own scrubs but she reassured me that I could use a pair of theirs. What should I expect? Are there any specific questions I should ask? Should I prepare for any questions? My previous preparations never landed me the position. I'm worried I'm going to get in the way given that labor is unpredictable! I'm so nervous because this is my dream area and I don't want to mess it up! She seemed super excited to have me do this so she could "see how I am and I can see how the unit is." But the last time I shadowed was before nursing school 8 years ago! Thanks in advance. xP

I transferred from NV and was able to get mine expedited because I had a job offer already. Once they realize that, it seemed to go MUCH more quickly. They gave me a temporary one, at first, expiring within like 6 months but I quickly got my permanent one.

I don't totally think it's intended to just "get attention for attention's sake," at least. From the individuals that I work with, and know - it became a huge thing to somewhat "share" what being a nurse is like when it was realized how much public knowledge is lacking on what we really do. Showing images of being in full head to toe gear for PPE, etc is more just showing the reality of the situation. I think the more playful ones also shows that we are still real humans, even if we are taking care of your health/wellbeing. Maybe I'm just optimistic about the viewpoint of this, but I see it more as being a hey-look-we-do-more-than-wipe-butts-and-we-are-real-people-too. Edit to add: Just to clarify, I am definitely one of those who wants no one to know they are a nurse unless I feel like it. LOL.

Same. My husband and I have already contemplated this, depending on future events.

Mine doesn't even require that. They just throw it at you and say good luck.

I have been wondering the same exact thing. When I first tried on a KN95, it was stabbing me in the eyes, wasn't fitting around my face well, and my glasses kept fogging up. I ended up having to kind of "play" with the mask to make it safer - which ended up with me having something behind my head pulling the strings more, and super bending the metal. The whole time I was with a COVID+ patient hoping to go I didn't get anything. I still don't like them. I still think they aren't safe. We get one mask and are told it's good for "20 uses." Since when did we lower our standards so much? I know we are running low on PPE, but at least allow us to have some sort of something where we can't ACTIVELY see its failure. AND THERE'S NO FIT TESTING FOR THESE! ONE SIZE FITS ALL. ? I apologize for my mini rant.?

In my old maternal child unit, I worked in "postpartum" technically. However, many of our staff also had mother/baby on their badges. So, just because it says mother/baby does not necessarily mean that you won't get babies. If your goal is labor and delivery, that would be a great stepping stone though! Most places prefer internal, and this would give you a start. ? I know my old hospital loved new grads.

✋ That was me. 3 weeks antibiotics, puking my guts up repeatedly, multiple visits to the workman's comp person and an ER visit. My company doesn't force animals to be put away, but you bet your butt I make them put them away. lol

I know this thread is a bit older, but I wanted to put my two cents in. As a home health nurse who loves animals and has taken a dog class - I was the unfortunate one who got attacked by one rendering me out of work for 4 weeks(stuck in the office on light duty) and still in pain today. However, I didn't stop working home health. What I do now, is request for animals to be put away. In a room, outside - whatever necessary. Our safety is just as important. Plus, you have to take a step back and think. We are performing wound care, and various other things that HURT. Regardless of the temperament of the animal - it would be unwise to think they won't protect their owner. Good Luck!