Does anyone NOT like working in OB?

Dayray, RN · Feb 23, 2004

I know some nurses who aren't thrilled with OB. Some leave others hang around and spread negativity. There are however allot of nurses who love OB.

OB is very taxing emotionally and physically but your right people tend to have a better attitude in OB. Why? I'm not sure but I'll take some guesses.

Almost everyone you talk too went to school specifically because they wanted to work OB. On other floors there are some that went to school specifically to work that particular area but not as many as there are on L&D. Not all OB nurses are living there dream by working L&D but quite a few are. Maybe this is part of the reason.

Maybe it's because the type of person that can make it in L&D has to be positive and encouraging for patients and that carries over to there attitude.

Maybe it's because (unlike other areas) we get to see the end result of our efforts when labor ends with a healthy baby and mom.

Maybe it's because we don't have to see nearly so much death and sickness?

I once worked on a unit where the L&D nurses were the bitterest and meanest nurses in the whole hospital but the other 2 I've worked for have been much better.

lulu88 · Feb 23, 2004

Thanks DayRay! That was very helpful! Anyone else have any comments??

L&D_RN_OH · Feb 23, 2004

I agree with Dayray. I think pretty much everyone in OB is there because they want to be. I know I had no intentions of working anywhere but L&D, so this is the dream for me. Yes, the hours, and the over time, and the call can be tiring. And while I hate that we are short staffed and over worked, I know that it is temporary.

I love my job, and I couldn't see being anywhere else. Even though we do have to deal with loss, the joys make up for it. And the emotional bond you form with pts can't be comparable to most other areas, I would think. We get to support people through their happiest times, watch new life come into the world, and witness the birth of a family.

SmilingBluEyes · Feb 23, 2004

I love my job 99% of the time. But i see a day where I will move on; either to case mgt or another area that allows normal day hours.....like dialysis or something. I know after 50 or so, I won't want to be lifting 40lb legs to help em push or move 300-pounders onto and off stretchers to and from the OR. Patients get heavier and bigger each year. I am NOT downing heavy people here, but A body can only take so much.

dawngloves, BSN, RN · Feb 23, 2004

I think if you ever find yourself hating your job on a day to day basis, you should move on. Not just in nursing, but anywhere. I hate working with people that piss and moan all day. I love what I do, no one makes me do it. But I too imagine if I ever get to that , I'll do dialysis or phone triage. My body ain't gettin' any younger and the days aren't getting any shorter.

fourbirds4me · Feb 23, 2004

I work with several people who constantly complain about how much they hate it.... but I think these people would hate it on any unit. I agree with DayRay... most people who love OB seem to be called to it. I know I specifically went to school to work exactly where I am working and I want to continue to work there to grow with the unit to make it better... there are several of us like this. I love the patients... even the grubby ones and love taking care of them. I don't like the situations we are shoved into because of lack of funding, short staffing and doctors who don't care.

nekhismom · Feb 24, 2004

I went to school to BE an L&D nurse. I just had to start in the NICU for a few months first!

webbiedebbie · Mar 2, 2004

I took a break from nursing for awhile (burnt out in L&D and other personal reasons). I have since taken a travel assignment and am working L&D and PP. I prefer PP because it is more structured for me. L&D here is understaffed and the pt's tend to demand a lot of care as well as using my nursing skills. I have always worked OB since I graduated from nursing school. When my assignment ends, I plan to stay in PP.

rdhdnrs · Mar 4, 2004

The wonderful thing about nursing is that, if you get into an area that's not for you, you can go to something else! There is a lot of flexibility to being an RN. Not so much in many other medical fields. Good Luck!

By the way, I love OB...can't imagine doing anything else.