I am 9 mo post graduation w/ a BSN (and prior BS in education). I thought I would love L & D nursing. I am working at a high-risk, high-volume hospital with a short staff. I LOVE my patients and working with them but the stress is overwhelming. I am afraid all the time. My body won't adjust to nights and working the weekends and holidays (Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's) is a bummer. I have to apply for vacation 6 mo out and I am always being the called the days I am off. I feel guilty when I say no because I know what it feels like to juggle so many patients.
I would like to go to clinic nursing but have heard from so many older nurse friends to stay at least 1-2 years. I would leave my position not feeling entirely competent and colleagues tell me to that things will get better by 1 year. I am afraid to leave and afraid to stay.
I would like to go to clinic nursing but I don't know if I am giving up too soon. Did you some of you wait it out for 1 year and you became more confident and comfortable. I don't want to give up a job that many new grads are wanting. I had to work hard to convince the manager to hire a new grad and many of our hospitals won't do it until you have 1 year of MBU experience. I just don't know what to do and was hoping someone could give me advice on staying or going to another floor or clinic nursing.
For some background, I have volunteered with families for 6 years assisting with birth as labor support. I went to nursing school knowing that my only pathway was L & D. Yet, here I am 9 mo later wishing that I had not even considered nursing. Can someone give some advice?
