[D&Ggirl]

I currently work on a labor and delivery floor. I just became an RN in January, and i do like my job, but i get so nervous before I go into work, and I dread going when i think about it. The people there are great and so wonderful at helping me but i just feel like there is so much pressure and i dont like situations that I have a problem controlling (like baby's heart tones go down). I know there is going to be things where I can't control everything with any job, but I just wonder at times if I should do hospital nursing. I have been thinking about looking at a job in fitness as an RN but I dont know what all is available, so I would be so greatful if you could give me some insight as to what is available. Thank you very much in advance.

[Tweety]

I really can't answer that for you. Except I know that we have an RN working in our hospital gym with the cardiac rehab outpatient patients. They come in to work out and she takes their vitals, does assessments, teaches, and I'm not sure what else. (Her mother was a patient on my unit and I talked to her briefly about her job.)

So maybe if you went the rehab route you'll find something.

Good luck in finding something.

[Mijourney]

D when you say you want a job in fitness, do you mean that you actually want to be an exercise instructor? Or do you want to work in health promotion and wellness as a coach, advisor, or educator? If it is the latter you're interested in go on the job search engines like careerbuilder or monster and put in the terms "health promotion" and see what you come up with.

[Nurse Salt]

If you like what you are doing, stay with it... It takes most new nurses at least a year to feel comfortable! I know when I first started on my unit I dreaded it every day too, but it was mostly because (like you) I hate to have things out of my control. What I have come to realize, though, is in ALL aspects of nursing there will be that fear at some point. Then, as you become more comfortable with things this won't frighten you so much because your coping skills will improve along with you general knowledge.
On the other hand, if L&D is truly not for you and you are really passionate about doing something in fitness, go for it! But don't use it as an easy way out or I predict you will be leaving fitness after several months as well...

Good Luck!