Dilemma! Help please!!

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I need advice, badly. When I applied to nursing school I knew I wanted to become a Maternity/L&D nurse. That desire has only increased as I've progressed through my nursing program. I've also learned that I strongly dislike Med-Surg. I'm in my last year of nursing school, precepting is about to happen, and graduation is imminent. So my dilemma: knowing that I hate Med-Surg and love maternity, should I go with my heart and try to go straight into Maternity after graduation? Or should I just do what everyone says you should do and do my "year of med-surg" first and then try and switch over to maternity?

Specializes in OB, Women’s health, Educator, Leadership.

The people giving you the advice that Med surg experience would be helpful are correct. I have worked L&D and mother baby for 15 years. Initially we did not accept new grads. Now that is changing because of the shortage. Today’s pt is sicker and sicker with more co-morbidities. People are being induced because of obesity. The learning curve is huge in L&D add to that med surg issues. Yes can be done but it is best if you come to us with some prior experience.

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Apply. They hire new grads into L&D.

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Do what you want. It might be hard to leave that specialty if you change your mind in a few years....but most of those nurses seem to want to stay.

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