TheSpectator

KatieMI Sorry to hear you had such a bad experience. I hope you've found your way to a better situation. It's true, sometimes there are going to be things that go on internally that we will not know about until we start the job. However, I feel it's much more likely we will end up going in with our eyes (mostly) open if we ask hard questions, shadow on the unit, and spend a good amount of time speaking/being mentored by people that have spent years in our preferred specialties in the city we want to work in. Sometimes these things don't protect us, but if we take all these steps it is a lot less likely we'll end up in a bad situation. I'm not speaking in absolutes, as nothing is absolute. These are just suggestions for irishlynn5 to try so she does not end up in a third high turnover job with an unhappy work environment. I suggested these things for Irish because she didn't mention having tried these steps yet. I agree that doing PRN work is a good idea as well and gives really good insight into the unit culture. I also love TheCommuter's #3. It is unwise to depend on a job for fulfillment or happiness. Cultivation of a full, rewarding life outside the workplace will minimize the impact of a subpar job. I've just recently learned this. Now I understanding that I just have a preferred specialty and it's ok to save most of my "passion" and "love" for life outside of work.

Ok...real talk. One of the best things you can do for your future career is take responsibility for the jobs you accept. I know as a newer nurse it can be hard to find jobs at all, but from here on out research every job you apply for, a lot. Ask around about the culture of the unit. Speak to nurses that work there. Ask hard questions about retention and interpersonal relationships during the interview. Trust your gut after an interview. If you feel uncomfortable with the unit, nurses, or managers don't take the job. Take initiative on educating yourself about which companies in your area retain nurses/employees. Do a lot of networking in the areas you're interested in. Learn to market yourself. It's hard work to get the good ones! There will always be bad units/managers/jobs. It's up to us to research and not take these jobs. If you want a job you're going to stay at long term, it's a must to realize this. I feel your pain though! I'm working really hard to get into my preferred specialty right now. Not there yet, but opprotunities are coming my way through networking. Good luck to you! I hope you find something you love where you can put down some professional roots.

Good suggestion. Joining DDNA & networking with others is one of the first things I did. Being such a small specialty, it has been difficult to find others who work in the field. I'm so glad I found others in my area through DDNA! They've really been so supportive and helpful in finding quality job opportunities.

Congratulations :-)! What type of facility did you end up accepting? I declined my first offer after having a bad feeling about the company/working conditions. I have since been able to interview with my 1st choice and it went well. Should hear back by the end of the week!

Yep! I work in L&D now. To my surprise, it is NOT my dream job. There's nothing wrong with it. I'm on a good unit, I like my coworkers, and am respected for doing a good job. It just turns out not to be my passion as I thought it would be & there's nothing wrong with that. As I've gotten more experienced in nursing I've realized what I thought looked great/fun in nursing school isn't what I ended up loving. I'm currently interviewing for jobs I never even considered/knew existed as a new grad! Be open to all possibilities :-).

Another vote for bringing in an outside manager in most situations. My unit recently had to make this decision and promoting internally would have been a disaster for us. Some people have been resistant to change but it has worked out well so far.

I was born, raised, and still live in the deep south. I actually have had a different experience with "Have a blessed day" than many here. It is usually used sincerely where I live. I don't personally use it, but am not offended by it when sincerely used toward me . "Bless your heart" or "She's precious" on the other hand, are usually used with a condescending tone or intention. I do know people that use "Bless your heart" very sincerely, but that's rare here. The latter grates on my nerves a bit but I don't let any of it really get to me. It's mostly just cultural, no big thing.

I agree with this. There are people who are wonderful employees out there that simply don't want to have a "family" feel with their work colleagues, and there is nothing wrong with that. I'm a fairly private person with strong work/life boundaries. I still get along with everyone very well, have fun, and do a top notch job. If you're dead set on hiring a certain personality definitely go off recommendations from people already working with you.

Just a follow up. I do work L&D NIGHT shift. I don't work days on purpose because it can be ccccrazy, especially if there is not good team work on your unit. There's terrific team work on the night shift where I am so I chose to go nights so I can feel helped and safe within my practice. Any job is going to depend so much on the culture of the unit/shift. Don't forget to think of this as well and find somewhere with a good reputation for teamwork & stability, no matter what specialty!

Yep, I agree with Seaofclouds. In this situation I communicate with the patient after literally every attempt to get the medication so they know I'm trying my best and care. Especially if I feel like they are becoming upset or it us taking an exorbitant amount of time. Plus I document every call to MD, pharmacy, or anyone else I contact about the issue.

I interviewed for one, was offered and declined. I'm hoping I can find something was I think would fit me a little better because I'm looking for somewhere I can stay long term. There are limited opportunities for DD nursing in my area though. Thinking it might take me a while to get a good offer. Good luck with where you've applied! The residential ID/DD schools in my area are at the top of my wish list.

I was originally a med/surg nurse and switched to L&D. I always work my tail off and did ok in med/surg....but it was NOT for me. Some people thrive off of those types or work environments and some people are just exhausted by them. It's ok to be exhausted by it and move on. Changing departments made a massive difference in my energy level, mood, and work morale. I love being able to focus on fewer pts at a time vs med/surg. Even when I work mother/baby (usually 6 pts, which was my avg med/surg load) I'm not run NEAR as ragged. L&D isn't for everyone - it has its own stressors for sure, and even I don't want to do it forever, but it's been a very good change for me. I hope you find a better fit soon!

I work in LDRP and this is becoming hugely popular with people seeking a natural birth right now. Our hospital does not offer this but allows pts to bring their own oils/diffusers. I love natural birth but almost every time essential oils have been used they have been used excessively, to the point we can smell it all down the hall and any nurses with sensitivities are affected! I am not sensitive to these types of things...but I just plain don't like the smell of most of them. I'm thinking we needs some boundaries so patient's that were NOT wanting to use these alternative treatments don't have the strong smells floating into their rooms and the hallways. Hospital rooms are not the size of houses...one or two drops is probably enough!

In my opinion it's just general laziness. When I was brand new, or really any time I take a new job in any field, I try to be one step ahead of my preceptor/trainer. Anticipating what needs to be done and being a self starter really impresses me. If I stand up and say "We really need to go hang this abx" I HATE to look over and the trainee is still sitting, playing on their phone at the nurses station and has practically forgotten I (or their new job) exists. I want to hear, "Oh, I started that 10 minutes ago!" Oh, and in general acting as though they are above certain tasks or aspects of the job. EVERYBODY wipes a butt now and then!

I literally said OMG out loud, haha. I think I'd find that too hilarious to be appropriately grossed out.

Guess I'm another who is of the opinion that seems so unpopular with new graduates. Take med/surg if it's being offered! It is usually (not always) unrealistic to land your preferred job right out of the gate. I knew I did not like med/surg but applied for only med/surg as a new graduate knowing I would value the experience later. After my initial learning curve I felt confident in the care I was giving and learned I didn't hate it near as much as I though I did. Was it my "calling"? Did I suddenly love it? No way, but the experience I gained was absolutely invaluable and I wouldn't change it. I also agree with the sentiments that there are stressed, bitter people no matter where you go. I now work in L&D. You would think this would be one of the happiest units out there. Don't get me wrong, my unit it great..but there are still stressed and bitter people, even here. For what it's worth, my preceptor on med/surg was so lovely and one of the least stressed/bitter people you could meet. She'd been working that same med/surg unit for 15 years with a smile on her face! I hope you find your dream job but if it doesn't come your way for now med/surg could only make you a better, more marketable nurse.

We do have a full time nurse educator. She does all stated above. She does not do any bedside nursing, she retired from bedside due to injury so she is now unable to pass the physical required of our bedside nurses. She has 25+ years of experience in the area and is a huge source of information and support!

Honesty, I think one of the best things I did was make an ally of my med/surg unit manager. I did not love med/surg but for the time I was there I worked my butt off and impressed as many people as possible. Because I was applying within the same hospital I went to my med/surg manager BEFORE I put in my application to speak with him, let him know where my interests were, and that I planned on applying so he could begin looking to someone to train to replace me if I did transfer (because that would take months). I think he really appreciated the heads up and didn't have to hear about me looking for other work from another unit manager, he heard it from me. He called the L&D manager to talk me up and got two of the very seasoned nurses on my unit (including my original preceptor) to write me letters of recommendation. I wouldn't suggest telling managers you plan to look elsewhere before you apply or are offered jobs usually but I knew the unit managers talked among themselves and didn't want him to hear it from an outside source. I make a point to build good, professional rapport with managers for these reasons. I have a history of local and international volunteer work on my resume that may or may not have helped. I did not get any certifications because I knew my hospital would provide these. If it is more competitive in your area this may end up being a necessity to make yourself more marketable. However, I didn't find it necessary. I had no experience in OB. My senior preceptorship in school was med/surg. Hope this his novel helps in some way! Good luck

I started out in Med/Surg and have now been working in LDRP for a year and a half. This may not be the experience of most, but I did not have to do anything special to land my current job other than apply and interview well. I feel like 2 years of med/surg experience is plenty to prepare you for L&D/OB nursing and my interviewers/management really valued my experience in a more acute setting. I don't feel as though a special "training program" is necessary. Landing the job and being provided with a solid orientation to the unit should be sufficient for an experienced nurse. My only tip is if you truly want a different job treat job hunting like a job of its own. Network yourself, read up on the area your interested in, and apply apply apply. The good jobs definitely don't just fall into your lap. You have to work for them. Hope you land your dream job!

This rate is the standard in our hospital. We would only change it per MD order if the pt has a condition that would benefit from fluid restrictions. Hope this helps :-).

Hi all, This is my first post on allnurses! I'm an RN with about 3 years of bedside experience, including med/surg and LDRP. I've just applied to two residential I/DD facilities in my area. I'm very excited about the possibility of working in this specialty! While in nursing school I worked at a summer camp for DD children and really loved it and still value that experience. I just wanted to do a little intro. I know if I am able to land one of these jobs the people I currently work with will not truly understand how I could want to leave a good L&D position for DD nursing. Hoping to find others passionate about this area who understanding wanting to care for those who are often undeserved. Hope to get to know some of you and I hope to join you working in DD nursing by years end. :-) -Spectator

I was homeschooled for much or elementary through part of high school. It was very hard finding any school boards that would accept my work/credits, so I opted for the GED. I had to fight harder to get into an undergraduate school. I also received no help from the school based off my test scores. I qualified for tuition support based off my scores but was told I was disqualified from this due to not obtaining a diploma. All that being said, after graduating with my BSN I have had no problem landing jobs. I'm paid the same someone with a high school diploma. Employers seem pretty uninterested in my high school education now that I have a bachelors degree. So, I wouldn't suggest the GED unless absolutely necessary. It worked out because I'm a very hard worker and advocated for myself and my education. Can be done but I had to sit in many offices and fight for my right to a college education at times. Good luck :-). Hope it all work out for you

Oops, I see you already updated. So glad it worked out for you! :)