[Sandwitch883]

Hello to all! I'm new here and introduced myself on the page for new introductions! Still learning to navigate around here. I've been an RN for two years and went right into L&D after graduation. I did have some background as a CNA in newborn nursery but always was interested in the L&D side of things. The first 10 months I worked at my local community hospital. I was on straight nights and it was killing me to be up all night. The staffing was usually fine 1:1 for the most part in our LDR. However, the problem was my coworkers. Very unproffesional behavior, staff arguements in front of doctors and patients. If you weren't in the "cliche" then the night was very long with little help from coworkers. So I left that facility and took a day job in an LDRP. Well the staff worked together great but the staffing was horrendous. It was nothing to have a laboring pt, several post partums, and fresh postops. I wasn't used to that type of load and worried everyday I was going to make a mistake and lose my liciense. I tried to work with the charge nurse and nurse manager about how to handle that type of load but was told "we all have to do things we don't want to"...well I left there after five months. The third job was a women's health nurse at my local health department. It was nice. Great co-workers, great schedule. But I missed doing hands on nursing care. All I did was paperwork. So when my oldest child had to have surgery I chose to quit working and stay home with her. I havent worked in 7 months and would like to go back to work in L&D...however after two years of working as a nurse I have less confidence than ever. I doubt my ability and skill level and am even worried maybe I'll never be a good nurse. Am I the only one that has had a rocky start? Any advice on how to proceed with working? Should I leave L&D? One thing I now realise is that there is no perfect situation. I think I should have stayed where I started out my nursing career. I contacted my old nurse manage but she wont take me back. I'm feeling pretty hopeless!

[jenrninmi]

Hi there,

There ARE better places to work out there. It just may take time to find what best suits you. I can't imagine working in a cliquey situation like your first job, or a dangerous situation like your 2nd. Keep looking...you'll find a match! :O)

[LDRNMOMMY]

It's probably a blessing in disguise that your old nurse manager wouldn't take you back. Like Jenrninmi said, it may take time to find a job that suits you; but it's out there. I'm sure if you had a decent orientation you will be just fine. I'm sure it will be just like riding a bike.

I am kind of in your shoes too. I am getting ready to start working again after what is now an 8 month break (if I can ever finish the hiring process).

[Sandwitch883]

Thanks so much for the replies. I was really thinking it was just me and I wasn't cut out for nursing. I'm glad to hear that there are better work situations and hope to find one. I'm interviewing at a large teaching hospital on monday. It's about 60 miles from my home but the drive will be worth it if the work environment is better.

[Itshamrtym]

Good luck to you!!!! HOpe it all works out..... It will!!!!!!!! take care

[mpccrn]

are you a good nurse? sounds like it to me. jobs are jobs, keep looking till you find a good match. good luck to you, you're dream job is out there and you'll be surprised what you can put up with when the match is right!

[Angel4Life]

Sand: YOU ARE NOT ALONE, thank you for your honesty. Trust your intuition, your personal desires. I too walked in your shoes at one time, and like LDRNMOMMY said, 'a blessing in disguise'! Now many YEARS of nursing later, a similar shared experience as a new grad as you described, was the biggest turning point in my nursing career. Thank you for the kind reminder to reach out to the new, and good luck in whatever nurse role you may choose- TODAY!

[Sandwitch883]

Thank you so much for your support and kind words. I've read other post very similar to mine and am very thankful i'm not alone in how I feel. I have just taken a job in a small rural hospital and really feel this may be a good place to start over. I'll be working prn so i'll have the balance between work and family that I need. I do plan to work as many hours as possible though.I'm starting this new job with a positive attitude and learning from my past mistakes! Thanks again to everyone for their support and kindness!