New Graduate working on Labor and Delivery Unit

[newlaborrn]

I graduated and passed my NCLEX last January. I got hired on the Labor and Delivery floor last August and tonight is my last day of Orientation. They had me orient on days for a couple months and eventually transition into nights. I've been working on nights for a couple weeks and I'm just really nervous. I'm not sure if this feeling is normal. II love labor and delivery, but I dread going to work. Is this normal? Do you think its the hospital environment? Some nurses are very helpful and some are not very helpful. I'm still trying to figure out how to be a RN and also learning everything on the Labor and Delivery unit. Everyone keep telling me I'm doing great and it will take time to feel comfortable, but I just don't have enough confidence in myself sometimes. I have really high expectations for myself and maybe I need to stop being so hard on myself. I need advice and just want to talk to that understands what I'm going through. :)

[bagladyrn, RN]

It generally takes about a year to start feeling comfortable in L&D. What you are feeling is normal.

I'd rather see a new grad be a bit nervous, even though it's rough on you, because it means you will pay close attention to everything.

Hang in there and one of these days it will dawn on you that you feel competent.

[SoldierNurse22, BSN, RN]

Don't feel bad and don't worry. I'm a nurse with plenty of experience. I had 4 months of orientation and a superb preceptor. I still dreaded the first 3 months off orientation in L&D. It's a totally different story than any other kind of nursing I've ever done. Try to take it one shift at a time. I promise, you'll feel differently about going to work with time.