L&D not for me :(

[knufflebunny]

As much as I love L&D, I do not feel it is right for me. I do not like the fact that it is such a highly litigious area of nursing, potentially critically or permanently hurting a baby, and the stress of a crash/emergency c-sections, etc. But I love bonding with my labor pts, getting cards and thank you's from all the pt's that I worked so hard to deliver lady partslly or being there for the scared pt that wasn't expecting a c-section. That is what I love! The bond you create with your patients and the job satisfaction you get from making a real difference in someone's life.

I'm trying to find an area of nursing that will fulfill the love that I have for nursing without the high stress level of an L&D nurse.

Any other areas in the hospital do not interest me...med/surg, ICU, ER, telemetry, ortho, oncology, nicu, etc. I've thought of just doing postpartum (I do that in my position as well, I work in LDRP.) But to be frank, I think I would get bored.

Any suggestions?

[OCNRN63, RN]

​If you like making connections with your patients, feeling appreciated, etc., I'd suggest giving hospice a try. You're with patients and families at a critical time in their lives, and you provide care that is desperately needed. I've never regretted my time as a hospice nurse.

[BSNbeauty, BSN, RN]

OP I hear ya, I decided not to be a LD nurse for the exact reasons you've described. I work in postpartum and love it!!! But since that is off your list I would go with the suggestions of jadelpn.

[BSNbeauty, BSN, RN]

BTW- I have my own insurance. I don't trust any employer to cover me especially if I was ever at fault. I feel better having that extra security.

[knufflebunny]

Hospice might be a good choice. I had a relative on hospice and I definitely appreciated the staff that helped our family through the difficult time.

As for postpartum, I'm still considering it. I just don't feel the same connection I do with postpartum pt's than I do my labor pt's. But it's not totally off the table.