things NOT to say in an L&D interview

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Specializes in GICU-WE GET IT ALL.

HI! Well I'm an Icu rn right now but I have an interview next week for a L&D position!!!!!!!!

So I know the usual interview questions and how to answer questions correctly but I thought I would throw it out there... Is there anything not to say? For instance, I became truly passionate about pregnancy, childbirth, ect when I got pregnant and then having my daughter and spending 3 days in L&D ( 72 hour labor) and 3 more in PP and kind of seeing what the nurses did & talking Witt them I made my mind up!

Is bringing up my own experience being pregnant & delivery something NOT to bring up? Any other NO. NOs for the interview?

Thanks!!!!!!!

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HI! Well I'm an Icu rn right now but I have an interview next week for a L&D position!!!!!!!!

So I know the usual interview questions and how to answer questions correctly but I thought I would throw it out there... Is there anything not to say? For instance, I became truly passionate about pregnancy, childbirth, ect when I got pregnant and then having my daughter and spending 3 days in L&D ( 72 hour labor) and 3 more in PP and kind of seeing what the nurses did & talking Witt them I made my mind up!

Is bringing up my own experience being pregnant & delivery something NOT to bring up? Any other NO. NOs for the interview?

Thanks!!!!!!!

I've heard you shouldn't say "I just LOVE babies" or "I just LOVE holding the babies."

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Personally, I don't work L&D but find over-personalization as the reason to want to work in a dept is a turn off.

Its about the pt not the nurse so I think emphasizing your compassion, empathy, belief in whatever type of birth is most prevalent at your facility, etc., is the best direction.

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Specializes in Maternal - Child Health.
Personally, I don't work L&D but find over-personalization as the reason to want to work in a dept is a turn off.

Its about the pt not the nurse so I think emphasizing your compassion, empathy, belief in whatever type of birth is most prevalent at your facility, etc., is the best direction.

I agree. You can emphasize your love of patient teaching, caring for the entire family unit, a fast-paced environment, "thinking on your feet", etc.

If you bring up your delivery experience, you also open the door to discussing your personal life...mariage, family, children, child-care, likelihood of absence due to child-related issues, all of which make a young, single nurse look very appealing to a hiring manager.

Much better not to go there.

Good luck!

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Specializes in GICU-WE GET IT ALL.

thanks so much! i definitely wasnt going to bring up my actual birth experience. its just the whole process- pregnancy and childbirth is what made me decide on LD. i wasnt sure how to answer the "why LD "question without mentioning when my interest sparked. thats all. i completely agree that i want my answers to be pt focused, and i wont be in there telling my birth story! lol. i will talk mainly about my other interests in LD, and how i think it is similiar to ICU so i think i can bring a unique set of skills to LD! thanks again

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Of course it's a dude saying it, but I'd think you'd want to avoid saying "va-jay-jay" :D

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Specializes in Transgender Medicine.

Instead of saying yourself, you could say that it was being with a close friend or relative during their L&D birthing experience that showed you what it was all about.

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What hospital allowed you to labor for 72 hours?.. Here after 24 they've got you on the OR board..

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"What's a fundus?"

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Specializes in ICU, ER, EP,.

Federal laws protect you from being asked about race, age, ... anything that might be discriminatory. I am very careful in interviews never to ask anything that may bring child care or young children into play, same is true with an "older" nurse that states 25 years exp. I sure can't ask why they haven't retired.

My point, sharing your exp. will alert a prospective hiring manager know you have a young one, and it may lead to scheduling conflicts and addition call in's due to child care issues.

Do not ever share that info. Period. Just trying to help. For me, if given a known alternative, I'd think of passing.

But personally know, my months in the hospital prior to child birth is what called me to be a nurse:D So I hear ya, just don't share that, no good can come of it. Find a different spin..... "I've always been drawn to L&D, I've had to choose alternatives to my ultimate goal to support my family, now we are at a stable point where I can achieve both financial and personal goals and I am very excited to have this opportunity!" Blah blah bla,,, you get it.:idea:

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Specializes in GICU-WE GET IT ALL.

thank you everyone for your responses!!!!! I really appreciaTE them. My interview is tomorrow, and I will NOT be bringing up my duaghter/pregnancy. Your advice has really helped and I am hoping to present myself as an eager, willing, competent, and qualified candidate. I will draw from my ICU experience and use that to boost my chances. Thanks again, :yeah:

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I happen to disagree. Just my opinion. I went to a nursing graduation for a friend and they had a speaker....one who's speech brought the entire room to tears. She spoke of the airplane crash she had been in and survived.... How she was in the ICU for months and how that experience and the nurses that cared for her had had such an impact on her that she applied for nursing school as soon as she was well enough and wanted to be an ICU nurse--she was graduating and had a job lined up in the ICU alerady-- a choice she made based on her personal experience. We were all touched by this amazing story. Many times we don't see how a certian position can touch others lives and many people don't really see how much nurses in L&D~Post-partum touch lives, save lives.....make a difference......until they are a patient in those nurses care. So I personally see nothing wrong with sharing where your sudden passion for OB comes from.

I know I am probably in the minority on this one but......I just think that honesty is the best policy and that being a patient can sometimes make us better nurses. Nothing wrong with admitting that you gained a whole new respect for these nurses after your own experience and seeing how important their jobs are made you want to be a part of this area of nursing. Just my 2 cents...take it or leave it.....lol

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