smj79

I believe the 3 moth orientation would be strictly L&D (no PP etc.). It would be Full time (3- 12's a week) at a large hospital. So if you think it's possible to go to OB without Med-Surg, which dept of OB do feel is the best place to start if the units are seperated (PP, L&D, antepartum etc)? I will be sure to take your advice on the "negative vibes" especially when it comes to staffing. Thanks!

I'm a new RN and interested in working L&D. A hospital I'm interested in does allow new RN's to start in L&D, and they are given aprox 3 months orientation. I'd like some opinions as whether, in your experience, that is a wise decision. I've heard several different things from nurses and instructors. I've been told that new RN's should go to Med-Surg or ER for at least one year before doing anything OB. I've also heard that before doing L&D it is best to begin in Post-Partum. What, as experienced OB nurses do feel is the best manner for a new RN to proceed? Thanks!

Sounds like a good idea. It may give you a bit of a refresher before getting into A&P, micro etc. Hmm. I learned something new!

Don't chalk these courses off as high school courses. I'm guessing they are University or College level, meaning they will be more difficult than what you had in high school. Not too mention that you probably now have more responsibilites at home than you did in high school. There is a lot of memorization in the science classes so be prepared. Try to take a hard class cushioned with a couple easier ones. If you try your bio, chem and eng all together it would be very tough. With hard work & lots of studying you will make it! At times you'll get tired and wonder why you put yourself through it, but don't give up. Good Luck!

Hi. I'm a new RN. Just passed boards (woo hoo). I'm taking the summer off to stay home with my 6 & 8 y/o. Now that I've started browsing for jobs I've decided I need some advice. To begin with I don't even know what area I want to go into. Because of that I'm trying to do some "job shadowing" to get a feel for some areas that I didn't have clinicals in. How do you know what you should go into especially if you haven't been around it? The other complication is getting hours that work for me. Many dept.'s require shift rotation which is something that I don't feel is very possible for me. My husband's job is shift work, and I don't see things functioning well around here if both of us are doing it. Evenings don't seem practical taking into account that I wouldn't see my kids much at all, not too mention that they're both involved in activities in the evenings & on Saturday. So weekend option is ruled out. I precepted on nights and was never able to sleep more than 3-4 hours during the day not to mention that 2 work weeks a month I'd have to find someone to stay with the kids overnight. So that leaves me with M-F days. Then of course most dayshifts start at 7A, which means that if daycare opens at 6:30 A, and I include travel time I would never make it there on time! UH! Because of this I'm wondering if it is unheard of for a new grad to get a position in a doctors office or clinic? While I think something like that would work great for my family I am afraid it may be a dead end career wise. I'm not trying to make excuses but I want to do what is best all the way around (something has got to give)! Any advice?