Advice for New Grad L&D

[MaL321]

Hi, 

I recently started my RN position as a new grad about a month ago and have been on the floor for 7 (12hrs) shifts. L&D is something I've always wanted to do, however, I'm starting to doubt myself. I feel very slow, sometimes feel lost, and I'm scared about being on my own once my orientation ends. Most of the time, I panic when there are fetal decelerations or when a patient has an emergency. I worry that when I'm on my own, I won't recognize an emergency or know what to do, and that I might freeze and put my patient at risk. The ED was never on my list because of the intensity, but I'm realizing that L&D can feel more intense, and that this role is also very physically demanding.  

There are days when I feel confident and capable, but when an emergency happens, those feelings disappear. My preceptors are nice, but sometimes I feel like they expect me to remember everything after the first or second tries. I'm wondering whether what I'm experiencing is normal for someone new, or if it means this specialty may not be the right fit for me. For those who started as new graduates in L&D when did things begin to "click,” and around which point did your preceptor start to step back? Any tips or advice would be greatly appreciated.

[midnighter94, ADN]

People often underestimate the intensity of the OB unit 🙂

That being said, hang in there!  OB has its own language, its own rhythm, it takes awhile to get acclimated to all the ins & outs, but you'll get there.  Orientation is long for a reason; there's a lot to learn.  You're responsible for 2 (sometimes 3) patients.  You're paying attention to so many things, all at the same time.  No one will expect you to know everything by the time orientation is done, but they will expect you to know where to look for help, how to manage your time, when to ask for help.  Ask questions, that's OK!  If you have an early labor, then jump into someone else's delivery - offer to help.  Draw gases, watch resuscitation, step into the scary, offer to start IV's ... all of the things.