Do I have to work all 3 areas????

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I just took a job working at a hospital. On the women's floor the nurses cover L&D, pp and nursery. But since they are heavy on LVNs, RNs do mostly L&D. Ok, well the longer I am there the more nervous I get about being on my own and doing L&D. I have PP experience but no L&D. And this is a small hospital with a not so good reputation. And I don't think some of the other nurses are strong enough to help/train me until I get my wits about me.

I know when I got hired I would be trained in all 3 but mostly do L&D. Since I don't think L&D is my thing (trying to not loose my license in this backwards hospital) is it reasonable to talk to my manager and tell her I want to do only PP and nursery? That my schedule is flexible, and I will help anyone out, I just don't want to be the one catching babies?

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Specializes in OB.

Belle - no harm in asking, but don't be surprised if your request isn't granted. You did get hired with the expectation that you would work all 3 areas. In a small unit it would be hard for a manager to allow all employees to pick only one or two areas they are willing to work - think of the scheduling headaches - and she/he really can't grant this only to you - new person - without causing disention among other employees.

You can kind of look around at your fellow employees and try to schedule yourself to work with the ones who love L&D and find PP "boring". Then you could be the "nice guy" by volunteering for PP!

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Specializes in L&D, Orthopedics & Public Health.

I work in a "Birthing Center" that is located in a hospital and yes the RNs have to do all 3 areas. Granted there are RN's that are great with L&D, PP or nursery, but they all have to rotate. It sounds like you are very nervous about doing L&D. I quess I would suggest that you find the most experienced L&D nurse that is in the dept and follow her like a fly on ****. Then when you have time to read, study up on all the subject matter. Also I have found that it really helps if you get to know the doctors. I worked in this department as a CNA prior to getting my LPN and now I work the PP/nursery side. But I found that once I knew the docs I was okay. I actually went in and helped a new RN to the dept with an out of control mom the other day. I quess because I felt comfortable with the situation, I was able to speak to the mom in a pleasing and comforting manner to get her to stop freaking out. I'm not sure if the RN appreciated it or not, but thats ok b/c the mom calmed down and the other pts on the floor weren't hearing her anymore. GOOD LUCK

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Thanks! Depending on which nurse is going to be my preceptor will guide my decision if I will ask about just doing PP and nurs.

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Specializes in geriatrics, L&D, newborns.

I work on a unit where we all rotate between L&D, nursery and PP. I love doing something different all the time. I started in L&D with no experience but got good training for about 3 months at least before being on my own. Then I stayed in L&D for awhile before being oriented to pp and nursery. I personally hate the nursery but L&D can be so draining and exhausting at times. Postpartum is the most relaxing usually. I also do home visits for early discharge moms and babies and I am one of the few nurses who enjoys this aspect of it.

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

I believe it behooves you to be crosstrained in all areas. It makes you comfortable and you understand what everyone's role is. You are also more marketable in the event you need a new job one day. I would not want to not know one area or the other, myself. And the last advantage, you are less likely to be bored if you do it all.

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