Anyone switch from ICU to L&D???

[mommy2BCD]

Hello all,

I am currently a neuro ICU nurse and really am thinking about a change. I love the unit I work on, the people, the management is pretty good, I am just having a hard time with our patient population. We have a lot of really sad cases, people who are trached and pegged and never recover or those who we withdraw on. I feel at times like I am just maintaing a "body". I am questioning whether critical care is really for me. I did an internship in PP/L&D in nursing school and liked it. I was thinking that a happier place may be a welcome change. I wanna know all the all the pros and cons and if anyone has done the ICU to L&D transformation. How does it compare. Do you like L&D? Any advice will be very helpful.

[RNBelle]

My last semester in nursing school we had to do a practicum. Mine was night shift in trauma ICU. That burned me out and I was only in nursing school. So I went PP after graduation and loved it! I love L&D too but havent been crosstrained in it. You would do well in L&D because it can turn into a critical care situation on a dime. Since you already have ICU background you will be well prepared. And it is usually a happy place. There is variety, depending on the hospital policy - you will get the mom through labor and then help with the baby, and also circulate for c-sections. good luck!