Anyone switch from L&D to MB?

Specialties Ob/Gyn

Published

All I ever wanted to be was a L&D nurse, it was the whole reason I went to nursing school. After interning as a MB nurse, I landed a job as a new grad in L&D. After being here for almost a year and a half, I am just not finding it to be what I was hoping. It is much, much more stressful than I ever imagined and I'm always super anxious, waiting for "something" bad to happen. Even when I'm not at work, I find myself in a constant state of anxiety.

I think back to when I was in MB and I never felt that way. Of course I would have a busy shift which would be stressful, but it's not the same as the stress and anxiety I always feel in L&D. I am thinking that maybe, at this point in my life, I would be happier in MB. Has anyone else ever transferred from L&D to MB? It usually seems to be the other way around. If so, were you happy with your decision?

Specializes in L&D/Maternity nursing.

we are a LDRP unit, so I do both. I love that I can do either or, depending on my mood, how the previous shift went etc. Sometimes there is no option and I get what I get, but for the most part, we are able to choose our assignments. So if I am burnt out in labor, I will choose mom-baby and vice versa.

Though once I am back from maternity leave next month, I will be trained to our Level II SCN. More skills to use and more variety. I am looking forward to it.

If you are that stressed in L&D, definitely try mom baby for awhile. Thats the beauty of nursing--so many specialties to try on for size.

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Specializes in Ortho/Neuro (2yrs); Mom/Baby (6yrs); LDRPN (4+yr).

Like a few others, I didn't come to MB from L&D, but from a high-acuity, high-pt load medical floor. I was at the point where I was dreading coming into work and the stress was affecting my life and health in many ways. Making the move to MB is the best thing I've done. I've been here 1.5 years now and feel like I've found my "home", where I truly, actually enjoy my job.

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Specializes in labor & delivery.

Don't feel bad about not loving labor and delivery. I started in couplet care and begged to be cross-trained to labor. Guess what? Hated it. Thought maybe it was the facility so when I moved I stayed with labor and delivery. After 6 more months at a new facility, I realized I still did not like it. Went back to couplet care. Thought I missed it and went back to labor and delivery to "try" again (I, too, felt like less of a nurse for not liking L&D), and am now in the process of transferring back to couplet care. I dread the "what's coming next". I prefer the controlled chaos of couplet care to the absolute chaos of labor and delivery. When someone says that couplet care is not real nursing I tell them I earn a "real" check that says it is. I wish you all the best in deciding what to do. :)

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Specializes in Perinatal.
I prefer the controlled chaos of couplet care to the absolute chaos of labor and delivery

Exactly!! There are moments when I enjoy L&D but I have realized those moments are usually after the baby is born. Very telling!

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I never worked L & D. Don't ever want to. Way too stressful and chaotic and moms screaming their heads off. More chances of something going wrong amd being sued. Why else do you think is more expensive working in that unit? I like postpartum.

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I dreamed of being a L&D nurse since I was a kid. I went back to school and I prayed it would happen. It happened. And I HATED it. After 5 days, I switched to Mother/Baby. I love being a Mother/Baby nurse. I sometimes think the L&D nurses are the rock stars and we are the backups, but that's fine with me. I don't want or need that kind of stress in my life. I want to feel comfortable and do my job well. I have found my place.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Postpartum.
I sometimes think the L&D nurses are the rock stars and we are the backups, but that's fine with me.
We all work as a team, not one title or specialty is better than the other. I have had babies that needed to be transferred to NICU based on my initial assessment when they've been brought to my PP unit. Sometimes missed in L&D. I've also received many issues with mom that should have been taken care of or brought to MDs attention before being transferred to PP. I certainly don't feel like L&D's back up. Every position is vital to the well-being of mom and baby.
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Well said pink! I find that at my facility PP nurses are more thorough and often having to fix things when our patients are transferred to us. Nothing wrong with that because we are all a team. LD can be crazy busy so,I don't fault them for not taking care of every little detail.

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Specializes in Tele, OB, public health.

Oh my goodness. I good have written this post

I'm sorry you struggled too, but I REALLY needed this!

I was on MB for a year then recently transferred to L&D- I am finishing my 11th out of my 12th week and realized I hated it- during my progress meeting today I started crying because my preceptor stated I wasn't catching on as fast as I should be and I agreed

My heart just wasn't in it, and it showed in my work

Anyhow, my boss gave me tomorrow off and I already had Friday-Sunday off, so I am supposed to let her know on Monday what I want to do

I think I'm gonna tell her I want to go back to MB

I feel like a failure and am pretty upset about, but ultimately I think it is what is best

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Specializes in Perinatal.

I started in MBU this past March and I LOVE it. Much more my personality. They keep asking me to float to L&D but I have no interest. I'm very happy where I'm at. I did, and still do at times, have a sense of "failure" but it passes quickly. I no longer have the overwhelming anxiety and fear when I'm at work or preparing to go to work. I love having more one on one time with my patients and love the teaching aspect. Helping daddies change their first diaper or reassuring moms they are doing a great job...I really enjoy it :)

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Specializes in Labor and Delivery.

You are not a failure for seeking another speciality that fits you better. Glad you are enjoying Mother/Baby! :)

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The MB and LD difference is very similar to the feeling in med surg and ER or ICU. Like those in med surg are less skilled or less valuable. NOT TRUE at all, just different. No shame in wanting to do different.

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