Feeling Overwhelmed!

[Ang00]

I graduated from Nursing School in July and have recently started a job in Labor and Delivery. I am going into my 4th week of Orientation. I have a wonderful preceptor, which is a blessing. However, this week I've felt totally overwhelmed by everything there is to learn in this area. I guess I just didn't think about having to scrub, circulate, and assist in surgery on top of all of the many other duties an OB Nurse does. I think it all started when I scrubbed twice a couple of days ago on a C-section and I'm still trying to become familiar with not only scrubbing and staying sterile, but with all the instruments as well. Anyway the Doc that was in on the case was a total jerk and getting on me because I wasn't handing the instruments to him just how he wanted.

Today I had an induction and there was so much going on I just broke down when I walked back out in the Nurse's Station. My preceptor was very reassuring, but I just feel so incompetent. I keep telling myself it will get better, it has to. This is really what I want to do, and I'm no spring chicken. I'm what I call a new old grad. I'm 38 years old. Anyone else out there feel like this when they started their OB jobs? Thanks for letting me whine!!!

[*Ferty~OB~RN*]

i have so been where you are at! all i can say is hang in there! it does get better as you get more experience! i had 7 kids when i cross-trained to ob, so the docs and nurses felt i was pretty up to speed on things. i had a great preceptor, who i still go to for help on occassion when i feel uncomfortable about things.

in our unit there is only one nurse on duty usually and we do the antepartum/labor/delivery/postpartum/nursery all at once!! if we have more than one couplet and a labor pt comes in, we have to call around to find someone to come in an help! not a fun thing to do when you are heading for an emergent section. or better yet, when you are the only nurse in the delivery room with the doc and you have to try and find anybody with nrp to come and be your second for the baby and there is no one in house to help you!! it gets to be quit stressful, but you learn to deal with it and prioritize!!

anyhoo, to make a long story short....just hang in there and it will get better! never be afraid to ask for help, and there is never a dumb question!!!! you go girl!!!!!

[Ang00]

Ferty,

Thanks for your encouragement! Bless your heart going through your OB training with 7 kids. I don't know if I could have done it. Your an amazing woman to be raising 7 kids and working. I appreciate your advice.