[kxvc]

I am a nursing student with several years of hospital experience to back me up. Med-surg has been a breeze these first 2 blocks.

We are now entering the OB and peds portion of block2. I am finding my self to be very hesitant to explore this new material. I believe it is just out of fear of the unkown since the majority of my experience is in geriatrics or the adult non-pregnant pt. The times I do go to L&D, Post-partum, NICU, or Peds I do what needs to be done and scamper off as fast as I can.

I was hoping some of you would be willing to give me some insight into your specialty. Some thing like...

Why you chose it?
What you love about it?
Anything I really, really need to know?
Anything else you'd like to add...

Anything would help really.

Thanks!

[silmas RN]

I graduated from nursing school in 1971 and have been working since then. Any new environment is bound to produce a little anxiety, but it's important to experience new areas of practice to see what's out there. Even though I've worked all areas of ICU, I knew neonatal was what I really loved to do. Unfortunately the years have taken a toll on my knees, and I had to give up hospital work. So at the ripe old age of 53, I went back to school....talk about anxiety! I've been a nurse paralegal for the last 3 years and am loving it. Now let me tell you, interviewing with a group of lawyers was very stressful, but I got through it. I have to admit that I still miss those babies. Take your time with the specialty areas. Try to spend a little more time on the units just observing. You won't believe how quickly you'll feel more comfortable as the environment becomes more familiar. It may turn out that Med-Surg is the area for you, but you'll never know if you don't try. Good luck.

[kxvc]

Thanks! I have been learning a ton today! I work with the most wonderful bunch of ED staff and that includes the docs. One of the docs today has been providing me with some OB research topics, and I get to report back to him what I learned. It makes the learning process fun for me because it is not class work I feel forced to do. I just read up on hydatidiform moles/molar pregnancies, and I learned a bunch of new terminology! It was actually really interesting. I know my hesitancy is just out of fear of the unknown that's why I'm trying to gain a little insight.

Thank you so much for your kind words of encouragement!