So tired...L&D not for me?

Pediatric4077 · Mar 30, 2008

If I were you I'd stick it out a bit longer so you can say you have that one year experience. Then I would scout out a smaller hospital with a smaller L & D unit where you would be more comfortable. Also in this time that you stay where you are you might find yourself gaining more confidence even if you still know that it isn't for you. What I've found as a new nurse trying to change jobs is that places really want to see one or two years experience first. :cry: Which is a killer to me because I want out of my current job so badly!!

oldiebutgoodie, RN · Mar 30, 2008

Remember that you are under a lot of stress due to the deaths in your family, as well. I'm so sorry about you losing your father. I lost my father during my first year of nursing, as well. I think that you are dealing with the loss as well as a new job situation.

My guess is that without the losses in your family, you would feel much more confident and do fine. But the experiences you have had can really impact your internal emotional resources.

So, do what is best for you. Could you take a brief leave of absence? I did, told them I had a lot of work to do as executor. It really helped me clear my head and helped me decide what I want to do.

Best of luck to you,

Oldiebutgoodie

MarySunshine · Mar 31, 2008

I agree with the previous post -- see if you can take some time off to recuperate and re-evaluate.

Dialf · May 28, 2008

I got out of school in June, a 48 yo grad. got hired into a busy, high risk L&D unit and was so happy. Started in July with an internship, on my own in december. So here I am with a little over three months of independent practice. I'm so tired. I feel so stressed out. I like having four days off a week, but the 12's are killer, and I don't see my son on those days. It doesn't help that I've had four deaths in my family in the last few months, including my Dad.
When I first started I was sure I'd found my place. I loved it. I actually think that for the level of experience that I have I'm doing just fine. But I'm starting to dread going to work. I don't like the acuity level of our patients. It's frightening. I don't LIKE doing cesarean sections, especially emergent ones. I think the doctors are horrid. I love my coworkers, I really do. But I feel like its too much.
So...Do I hang in there and hope the stress levels drop as I gain experience? Or do I try and transfer in hospital to someplace like mother/baby? Or do I try and find some nice out of the hospital job that is 8's instead of 12's, and doesn't have the stress? I don't like to be bored, but I don't think I'm an adrenaline junkie either. and I am TIRED!!! (did I mention that already...feeble grin)

i'm in the exact same situation and I'm trying to transfer to mother-baby. I realized i'm not an adrenaline junkie and my heart isn't into L & D....i thought it was. life is too short to be miserable.

Halinja, BSN, RN · May 30, 2008

Update: I'm in PACU now. I am much happier. The stress is lower, the hours are better. What can I say. For me, right now, this is a better place to be.

Elvish, BSN, DNP, RN, NP · May 30, 2008

You gotta do what you gotta do, Halinja. Glad to hear that you are in a place that works for you. :)

jhhrn68 · Jun 1, 2008

I'm glad you found a spot, Halinja. On our unit we do L&D, postpartum and nursery. So no one gets stuck in that black hole of L&D all the time. Postpartum is like a vacation after a horrible shift in L&D. I, too, find the 12 hr shift to be killers. Again, if I get an 8 hr. shift, it is like a day off.