want 2 work l&d

studentnurse_02 · Sep 26, 2001

hi. i dont really have much advice for you but i wanted to let you know i am in the same boat, except i havent graduated yet (graduate may 7, 02). but i want to work in l&d so bad, and it is just about my only motivation to get through school, but i am afraid i will end up on med/surg and i hate it so much. i will be interested to read what replies you get. sorry i wasnt any help!! :confused: bye, thanks

BrandyBSN · Sep 26, 2001

i can relate.

I graduate in May, and I absolutely hate med-surg environments. What my advisor told me to do was to take an extra clinical in ER and one on OR (on top of everything else we have to do). We have ER and OR rotations for our regular clinicals, but I want more hours than that. I dont think 48 hours can really tell me if I am going to like some place or not. So, next semester I am taking 180 hours of clinical elective, and 180 hours of mental health. the 180 hours of clinical elective I am going to split between OR and ER to see which I click with better.

I really dont think that you are cheating yourself by not doing med-surg first. If you feel solid with your skills, why risk burning out working in an area that you dont enjoy?

Going into a speciality area right out of school may be a big leap, but if you are motivated, you can rise to the opportunity.

Good Luck!

BrandyBSN

fergus51 · Sep 26, 2001

I did the bare minimum on med-surg while waiting for a spot to come up in L&D (it was about 3 months). I don't feel you need the med-surg type of background to go into L&D because the areas couldn't be more different. If you don't like med-surg, don't go! There's nothing worse than having a nurse who hates to be at work!

I am still doing l&D and I love it.

mcl4 · Sep 26, 2001

Originally posted by fergus51
I did the bare minimum on med-surg while waiting for a spot to come up in L&D (it was about 3 months). I don't feel you need the med-surg type of background to go into L&D because the areas couldn't be more different. If you don't like med-surg, don't go! There's nothing worse than having a nurse who hates to be at work!

I am still doing l&D and I love it.

I see your point, but I was wondering if it is difficult to float to a different unit? Or perhaps you do not need to float?

JennieBSN · Sep 26, 2001

rdhdnrs · Sep 26, 2001

I was about to reply to your post and then read Kday's post. As usual she said exactly what I was going to say!!!!

I agree; go for it. L&D is what I always wanted to do, also. If you know, you know.

Good luck.

Andrew · Sep 26, 2001

Hi!

I have been working in L&D for almost 3 years now, and that is all that I have ever worked since graduating with my BSN. (Yes I am a male as well.) Anyway my advice to you is this. If you want to work L&D pursue it. In nursing how you react with your patients, how you provide your care, how you connect depends on your happiness in what you are doing. For me Med/Surg was just nasty. I get the chills still thinking about working there. I love L&D and the experiences and emotions I get from it. It is also a very challenging field of nursing and can scare ya from time to time. I like that alot. Okay I have gotten off track, but seriously do what you want to do, do what your heart tells you to do. I remember all the nurses at nursing school saying that you NEED to work med/surg first to amount to a good whole rounded clinician. Sorry, thats not how it is anymore. Take the job that offers the work experience you want.

One thing though, the larger hospital that is hireing new grads, be careful, it is probably NEEDING nurses. (Of course which hospital isnt.) You will probably be thrown in the middle of things. THe nurse that is orientating you has probably been there for awhile and is burnt out or over-worked or you may get the nurse to orientate you that has only been there 3 months longer than you have. Make sure you get a good orientation!!!! I cant stress that enough. And learn those strips! :)

Good luck,

Andrew

fergus51 · Sep 26, 2001

I don't have a trouble with floating because I refuse to accept a patient assignment. I will only do tasks (catheters, IVs, vitals, ambulation, etc) and find that to be just fine.

newnurse72 · Sep 27, 2001

Thank you all so much for your positive feedback. You have inspired me to apply for the job at the bigger hospital. I'll let yoy know how it goes!:)

Pam RN · Sep 28, 2001

Don't do med/surg if you hate it. Go directly to Mother/Baby. If you do post partum and if you get gyne surgicals and high risk moms you'll have plenty of opportunity to get those "basics" you get in m/s. Sure you may not take care of ostomies or amputations, but you'll get diabetics, HTN, post op, foleys, drsg changes, etc. If you happen to float to a m/s floor you'll have enough knowledge to get through. Do what you love!