Even More Excited!

I went for my pre-placement physical that I wrote about earlier. It took about 2 hours and wasn't as bad as I had made it out to be in my head. I went to occupational health for a history and physical. Vital signs, head to toe physical exam, questions about every ailment I've ever had and every medication I've taken and am taking. They did a drug screen and urinalysis.

Then I went to Physical Therapy where I watched a video on ergonomics and proper body mechanics. After which I had to return demo the techniques. They gave me a crate with 50 pounds of weights in it (It was a lot heavier than I thought 50 pounds would be!). I had to transfer it from a table to the floor and back again. Then, I had to transfer it from a table to a high shelf and back again. Finally, I had to carry it 40 feet and back again. Then, they tested my grip strength with a machine that I squeezed as hard as I could and it measured how many pounds of pressure I exerted.

At the lab, they took 7 tubes of blood for chem 7, CBC, various titers, etc. And, at human resources I filled out my child abuse and criminal history clearance.

Finally I ended at the maternity department where I met the nurse manager and had a tour of the suite.

I am so excited!!! I was excited before, but after talking with the nurse manager and touring the floor, I'm SO excited. It is a perfect fit for me. It is progressive, both in it's care and options available to patients and in its training and retention of staff.

There are multiple options available for women from the standard epidural to the walking telemetry units available to monitor fetal heart rate while ambulating. There is a jacuzzi tub and birth balls... All of which are actually used... Not stored in a closet somewhere deflated.

The orientation can take up to a year, which is awesome. Another hospital I was interviewing at had a 6 week orientation, then you were on your own. Not good. This hospital has a classroom aspect to the orientation and they rotate you through all of the shifts so you can get adequate exposure to all of the various routines in the hospital. They say you are not off of orientation until you feel confident you can handle ANY situation that walks through the doors. That is how it should be.... I don't want to be out there unsure of myself or a procedure... I value the commitment they show towards education and training.

The nurse manager is young and progressive. Easy to talk to and eager to help. Compared to another one I interviewed with who was a past army nurse whose hand shake almost broke a few of my fingers and who has a very intimidating presence.

The nurse manager talked to me right away today about my interest in teaching Lamaze for them and said there is a need for another Lamaze educator. They offer full 7 week Lamaze classes, a one day refresher course, and hypno-birthing classes.

I took my husband along with me today. His opinion matters a lot to me. We both came out of it thinking there couldn't be a better fit for me than this hospital.

God is Good.