[FlowersMakeMeHappy]

hi everyone! new nursing student here.

I have a paper coming up for another class on what I want to do specifically when I graduate. I'm torn b/w ob/gyn nursing or psychiatric. I loved everything that happened to me when I was pregnant with my son a year ago. I just thought everything was fascinating, and of course I can't get enough of watching birth stories on various cable tv channels!

But I really love the psych/soc part of everything too. As a matter of fact I considered changing my major to become a social worker, but everyone told me that there is too much burnout in the soc field, and too little pay, and if I CAN do nursing (my grades are excellent so far) then by all means, to do it. And if I like psychology so much then maybe go into psychiatric nursing.

So my question to you guys is: do you experience burnout doing ob/gyn nursing? is it a stressful environment to work in? do you feel like your list of responsibilities is almost unmanagably sky high 'cause there aren't enough of you on your particular shift? what are your doctors like to work for? does it get frustrating when the patient wants something to happen during their "birth experience", the doctor wants something else, and you are stuck in the middle?

tell me any and all of your thoughts about your likes/dislikes about ob/gyn nursing! and be honest! thanks!

[rn/writer]

I did psych for years. Now I do postpartum. I would advise you to go with OB/Gyn first for a couple of reasons.

I did it the other way around and ended up having to take a refresher course to get used to being in an acute care setting again. Get some experience under your belt with IVs, blood, complex physical assessments, etc. before you switch to an area that is less focused on pathophysiology.

Psych definitely has a need for good physical assessment skills. It's just not a good place to be learning them.

Another thing is that I've seen psych wreak havoc on inexperienced nurses who have the best of intentions but who lack life experience. I'm not saying that younger folks shouldn't go into psych. Only that it can be disillusioning and even damaging if you don't have an awareness of what you're getting into.

Another consideration. OB can be physically challenging. I do postpartum because I am not up to the work-out you can get in OB. If you want to do OB, do it while you're young and able.

One last thought. If my PP unit is anything to go by, you will run into all kinds of psych and psycho situations on an OB/Gyn unit. Honestly, when you have the whole family involved--or rather TWO whole families involved--there are more than enough issues to go around.

I wish you well.

[INFJ]

Hi! You asked a great question...maybe I can help a bit! I will graduate in May and I have been hired as an L & D nurse. I have a BA in Psych and a Master's in Counseling. You are wise to steer clear of social work (from a money standpoint!). In my opinion (and very limited experience) one of the things that I love about L & D nursing is the fact that there is a psych/counseling/social work aspect to it. What I mean is, there is always a family dynamic present surrounding the patient. Sometimes you see patients with broken families, no support system, no money to provide food for themselves or their children, and sometimes you see women and families who are going through seriously tough times (i.e., chance of delivering prematurely, fetal demise, fetal anomolies, etc.)...and then you also see the joy of couples who have been trying to conceive for a long time and it finally happened. I believe that L & D is a great place to combine nursing skill, critical thinking, and some psych/social work aspects. I fell in love with L & D because I believe that it is a special priviledge to take care of someone as they are bringing a new life into this world. I fell in love with the emotions and the science of it all!

Forgive my rambling....you have no idea how pumped up I am about becoming an RN....especially one in L & D!

Hope this has helped somewhat!
Amy

[FlowersMakeMeHappy]

thank you guys a lot! you've given me a lot to think about. The more I read about L & D... the more I am thinking that it is for me. When I was pregnant I was so fascinated with everything happening to me.

So now I know how to direct this paper I'm writing. Thanks!

[SmilingBluEyes]

How do I like my job???

A LOT, after 9 years, no sign of burnout or desire to move on.