Advice Please--NICU vs. L&D (X-post)

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I have a huge decision to make about where I'll start my career as a RN. I have 2 job offers.

Job 1: a small community hospital where my roles will be in labor & delivery/postpartum and cross-trained in SCN level II.

Job 2: bigger hospital in NICU level III.

I got the job in L&D first, and am really stoked about it. I always wanted to be a midwife, so years ago I became a doula to become more involved in the pregnancy/birth process. I love the small hospital, where I will have a chance to work with moms, babies, and babies who need a little extra help. I have a really good feeling about this hospital. The people are very nice and the nurses are very loyal to this place.

In nursing school, I had a short rotation in the NICU at job 2's hospital. I really liked it. I love babies, and I am very interested in how to help them survive using amazing technology and meds. I do enjoy caring for babies more than moms, but I do love the interaction with mothers. I got the call to interview here over 1 month after my first job offer. I never dreamed they would call me. I am so flattered.

I don't know what to do! Any words of wisdom are greatly appreciated. I have looked through previous posts regarding this same issue, but they were from months-years ago. If you have any advice for me, that would be great.

(I hope you don't mind, but I cross-posted this in L&D forum, as well.)

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Specializes in NICU.

I would advise you to go with whichever patient population you like better. You didn't specify if the L&D job is just L&D or if they train you to antepartum and postpartum too. If so, do you like those areas? Or would you rather work with sick babies? If you like both, I don't think you could go wrong, just go with your gut. If you still can't decide, which hospital offers better benefits/pay/training? One of the main reasons I took my current job is that I knew I would probably see and learn so much more here than with the other job offer, and I can take that experience with me anywhere.

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OP here. I forgot my username/password/email. This one is different, sorry. What mess! Anyway...

Thanks! I like babies better. The L&D job entails antepartum/L&D/postpartum/SCN II. The benefits are pretty much the same, but the NICU job is willing to work with me if I continue my education via RN-BSN program; unlike the L&D job.

BTW--my gut is twisted now. I can't tell what it wants me to do anymore.

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OP here. I forgot my username/password/email. This one is different, sorry. What mess! Anyway...

Thanks! I like babies better. The L&D job entails antepartum/L&D/postpartum/SCN II. The benefits are pretty much the same, but the NICU job is willing to work with me if I continue my education via RN-BSN program; unlike the L&D job.

BTW--my gut is twisted now. I can't tell what it wants me to do anymore.

It sounds like you'll be happy doing either one and you're so lucky for that. But I think you should work in the NICU. But I'm biased since working in the NICU is my ultimate goal. Pray about it as well. Let us know which one you choose and how you like it in the future. :cheers:

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thanks for all of your advice.

after nearly a week of thinking and pros/cons lists, i decided to go for the nicu position.

it was a difficult decision to make, but nicu is what interests me most at this point in time. i had to let go of the fact that i wanted to be a midwife. that's where i was over 2 years ago, now things have changed. i'm done with school. i realized i liked my rotation in l&d less than the nicu. i've passed my boards, and i am in a different place. things change, you are exposed to different areas of nursing, and sometimes things don't happen the way you imagined.

sometimes things happen the way you once only dreamed they would!

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Specializes in NICU.

Congradulations! I think you've made the right choice. NICU is such a special place to be. I am a new grad recently off orientation and I am so grateful to be a NICU nurse. It's not an easy place to get into. I hope all the best for you. Congrats again!

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thanks for all of your advice.

after nearly a week of thinking and pros/cons lists, i decided to go for the nicu position.

it was a difficult decision to make, but nicu is what interests me most at this point in time. i had to let go of the fact that i wanted to be a midwife. that's where i was over 2 years ago, now things have changed. i'm done with school. i realized i liked my rotation in l&d less than the nicu. i've passed my boards, and i am in a different place. things change, you are exposed to different areas of nursing, and sometimes things don't happen the way you imagined.

sometimes things happen the way you once only dreamed they would!

yay! good for you. yeah, i'm always hearing about hard hard the nicu is to get into. i hope i can achieve one day what you alreayd have. please let us know how it goes.:nurse:

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