Aspiring CNM in L&D

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So here I am working L&D. I have been there 4 weeks now and guess what? I am not particularly happy there. I am bothered by the fact that every woman who walks through our doors in intervened upon. I am bothered that we "RN's" have to cover our butts, so whatever the fetal monitor says, I have to show that I have intervened, usually with O2 etc..I am bothered that the "patient" gets multiple vag exams before, during, and after rupturing membranes, and then she ends up with a temp, chorio, and then a C-section. I am bothered that a co-worker gave me an attitide when I let my young pt on pit walk around the unit to help her labor progress. I didn't know the pt had to be on a monitor while walking. I said ok and put the pt on an avalon monitor. I felt so dumb!

I don't think I want to work there anymore. Maybe I will be happier working Hospice/days...:o

I did it! I quit L&D.........Agh!

I'm goin back to tele, tele, tele,

To work 75% weekend days. That is the best schedule I can get for school and family.

I always doubt my decisions. But this time I am going to stick it out, go to school and focus on the type of midwifery practice I want to do.

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Specializes in Labor and Delivery.

Congratulations! I think going back to your 'comfort zone' will be a lot less stressful once you start school....I'm in the same boat. I work tele neuro and can't decide whether to stay or try L&D....

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Specializes in ICU/Critical Care.

Hi All,

Im a critical care nurse starting CNM school in January. Lately, Ive been considering changing units to L&D for the experience. But the more I think about it the more I feel that I dont know that now is the time to juggle starting school, a completely different unit/orientation, and, as others have mentioned, frustrating situations where women are being intervened upon left and right. I think for now Im going to stay where I am, or move somewhere a little lighter (Like PACU- no weekends or holidays :) ) and just focus on my studies. I feel (mostly) confident that Ill still be a competent CNM with my critical care background, and maybe nicely wellrounded as another member put it. Just my thoughts/venting!

:heartbeat

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Specializes in L&D, QI, Public Health.
Hi All,

Im a critical care nurse starting CNM school in January. Lately, Ive been considering changing units to L&D for the experience. But the more I think about it the more I feel that I dont know that now is the time to juggle starting school, a completely different unit/orientation, and, as others have mentioned, frustrating situations where women are being intervened upon left and right. I think for now Im going to stay where I am, or move somewhere a little lighter (Like PACU- no weekends or holidays :) ) and just focus on my studies. I feel (mostly) confident that Ill still be a competent CNM with my critical care background, and maybe nicely wellrounded as another member put it. Just my thoughts/venting!

:heartbeat

You'll be fine. You have a lot of great nursing experience.

Maybe it wouldn't hurt to volunteer with a birthing center once a month just to get that exposure. I'm sure they would love to have you.

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Specializes in L&D, QI, Public Health.
I did it! I quit L&D.........Agh!

I'm goin back to tele, tele, tele,

To work 75% weekend days. That is the best schedule I can get for school and family.

I always doubt my decisions. But this time I am going to stick it out, go to school and focus on the type of midwifery practice I want to do.

Listen, you did what you had to do. Congrats!

I'm trying to stick out for a year, but it's not easy. Unfortunately, I don't have another speciality to fall back on and I'm not about to do med-surg.

It sounds like you have a great schedule! It'll come in handy when you start school.

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Specializes in ICU/Critical Care.

You Go, Goozgog!! I hope your schedule works out well for you! I wont be the only one coming from a different background :):yeah:

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Hi!

We are not the only ones in CNM school without L&D experience.

I think we'll be fine.

Now I'm trying to find day care for school.

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Specializes in ICU/Critical Care.

Good Luck with that! Do your kids go to school for a full day? Ill see you in KY in Dec, right? Im getting so excited and nervous as it approaches!

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my 10 yr old is in school until 3pm but my little ones 3 and 17 months are home with me and my hubby.

There is no way I can study successfully with them monkeeying around the house all day.

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I am sorry you felt you could not stay in OB - I know how difficult it can be think of me midwife for 10yrs now stuck in OB hell and you made the choice you needed to make for you.

But I do want to pass on some experience being a midwife is no walk in the park- the day you become a provider that is when the real fight starts- nurses doctors and administrators will question your every move - every plan of care. You need to know how things work - how the clients you work with are going to be treated the OB system if you like. Personally I do not feel that you need to be an OB nurse to make a midwife - I never worked as an OB nurse prior to midwifery - but I do think you need to know the system.

I have no idea were you intend on practicing whether in or out of hospital setting either way you need good relationship and a deep understanding of the process to offer your clients the opium care.

The families of the USA need people like us to provide honest care that includes them in the plan care that is based in evidence. Good luck work hard and soon you will be able to offer the type of care you are passionate about.:yeah:

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Specializes in Family Practice, Women's Health.

I'd like some opium care:wink2:

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Specializes in Labor and Delivery.
I'd like some opium care:wink2:

:chuckle

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