4bears

I know exactly what you are going through, I too have had med/surg exp. and I am in 6 weeks into orientation in LDRP, and I am going through the same thing. The nurses act like I am completely stupid and have no experience at all, I have to keep reminding myself, I am a Nurse, a good Nurse and I can do this. I also have new preceptors every day, and then each preceptor does things different and I get "Why are you doing it this way?" Ahhh thats the way I was shown, "No do it this way", then the next day "Why are you doing it this way" So and so told me to, "Well that's wrong and you do it this way" ALL I WANT TO DO IS SCREAM!!!! I have met with my lead preceptor (who never precepts me - just oversees my orientation) several times to discuss concerns, and it gets turned around that I am having trouble or lack confidence - No I just don't know the proper way to do things. Some preceptors even told me "I hate precepting, don't take it personal if I don't talk to you too much!!!!!""""" What? So believe me I FEEL YOUR FRUSTRATION, I always wanted to be in this area of nursing, but right now I miss my med/surg floor where I was treated like a proffessional and was appreciated. I feel sick to my stomach right now because I have to work tomorrow and dreading finding out what else I don't know.

After waiting patiently , and working med / surg for nine months (first job after graduation), I finally secured a position in a LDPR Unit, approximately 4000 births a year. I am so excited and eager to get started. I will start in the beginning of October, and my orientation will be for 12-16 weeks. I have started to go through my OB books to refresh since it has been awhile since I did my Ob clinical rotation. Does anyone suggest any must have's for a new OB nurse, I saw the OB In My Pocket reference guide and was thinking about getting it, I just want to be prepared. Just so darn Happy to be here

Hello, I recently graduated my nursing program and have just received news I passed my boards:nurse: I want to apply for a NICU Intern program at one of the better Hospitals in my area. This program is open to experienced nurses along with graduate nurses. One of the requirements to apply is an essay stating what unique qualifications or characteristics you can bring to this program, basically why should they consider you. I have no previous experience except from nursing school and clinicals - Just like everyone else I consider myself hardworking, have the desire to learn, compassionate, team player, etc. I need to be creative to help my less than experienced qualifications hinder me from this position especially since they are not looking for "just" experience, How can I stick out? Anyone else have to write an essay to be considered for a position? This is a great opportunity with an excellent training orientation - I want this really, really bad any idea's would be greatly appreciated.

I too want to do Labor & Delivery and preferred to work for Beaumont. However, they are very firm on wanting 1-2 med/surg experience, and prefer nurses with L&D experience. It is unlikely they will hire a new grad due to the demand on getting in that dept. they usually have a waiting list of seasoned nurses from surrounding hospitals to apply for their positions. They do have internships for med/surg and also ICU positions (the ICU positions usually require previous experience in ICU - Nurse tech, ICU tech, etc.) I have come to the conclusion I must get my Med/surg experience to persue a career in L&D. Best wishes to you.

I want to become a L&D Nurse, this is what drove me back to school and become a nurse. I graduate in a few weeks and I am becoming very discouraged. I tried to get a Nurse Tech position in PP, L&D to get my foot in the door, but they wanted experienced Tech's (nurses aide or ER techs,etc.) Everyone is looking for 1-2 years experience in my area (SE Michigan) for L&D, LDRP, Ant.P, PP & Special care Nursery. Is it essential to do med/surg prior to L&D? Some nurses I know said hospitals require it because those are hard to fill jobs, but won't really help me in the job I want. If I end up with med/surg position what should I persue to make me more marketable to a L&D Dept. (Gyn?/surgical/ER?). I applied for a NICU position but did not leave the interview with the "I think I would like to work here" feeling, I would love to have the experience - but not at that facility. Does anyone know of any hospitals in my area that are more opt to hire Grad nurses? Any advice appreciated.

My instructors urged me to go for the biggest hospital in our area that specializes in high risk deliveries for the experience and they are more likely to train a new grad, unfortunately ALL of the hospitals in my area have a waiting list for L&D they want 1-2 years experience before you are considered. I am drawn to the babies so I naturally have an interest in NICU, i am confused because I don't know if I would be able to separate myself from the babies - If I was taking care of a baby and the baby was not doing too good, and if I was off of work the next day - I don't know if I could get back to "my life" and not worry. So I don't know if I am cut out to be a NICU nurse - I interviewed with a large NICU in my state and they will hire new grads and train in an extensive 26 week program. If it was for LDRP I would not hesitate and I would love experience in Special Care - but this unit usually gets babies from other NICU's & PICU's (up to 9 months) because it is a free standing children's hospital - A NICU nurses dream job. Watch me not even be offered the job and I am stressing over nothing. So do I go for the experience if it is offered knowing I have these feelings? Or do I persue another area that would make me more marketable for L&D and continue with my original plan, what areas would you suggest? :uhoh21:

Hello, Has anyone been torn between L&D and NICU? I am very confused on what path to persue. I will be a new grad in a few weeks and have started to interview for Graduate Nurse positions, I currently am being considered for Mother/Baby, Special Care Nursery and NICU (NICU offers an extensive internship that is usually not offered to new grads) I do not have any offers yet but I thought for sure I would do L&D (starting off in M/B because in my area they will not look at you until you do M/B care for at least 1 Year) Then I had a chance to spend time in the Special Care Nursery and NICU. I am so confused - anyone have the same experience?

Help!!! I will be a new grad in a few weeks and have started to interview for Graduate Nursing positions, I have always thought I wanted to be a Labor & Delivery Nurse. To make a long story short, I know you have to have some experience prior to being looked at for that type of position (I've applied and that is what I am being told). Right now I am being considered for several position's, Mother/Baby Post partum, Special Care Nursery, and a very extensive Internship in the NICU (special care-level IV - that is not usually considered to new grads and would be a great opportunity). I know I want to be somewhere in "this area" but where? I essentially I need to make my own decsion but it is all confusing for me, I was dead set on L&D until I also had a chance to do NICU and Special care in my clinical settings and thought I would love to do that also? Any L&D or NICU nurses with advice????? Anyone else go thru this?