Does it ever get old?

Jolie, BSN · Jul 17, 2006

If it ever "gets old", then it's time to quit!

Nursing is a privilege, an opportunity to be a part of a family's most intimate moments of birth, death, and vulnerability. Patients place a sacred trust in us to care for them. These are points that some nurses and many patients fail to comprehend. Take a moment every day on your way into clinical or work, and give thanks for the opportunity to do such profound work.

The "details" of our jobs get us all down at times (staffing issues, politics, personalities of co-workers, etc.). But if you ever lose the "wonder" of being part of a birth, or the respect due a dying patient, or the gratitude for a parent allowing you to care for their tiny preemie, please find a new line of work.

Best of luck to you!

htrn · Jul 17, 2006

I agree, being an L&D nurse is such a privledge and honor. I truely feel like I am a very intimately involved in a life changing event for many people everytime I care for an L&D patient. I teared up at every delivery for several months. Although I don't tear up at every delivery anymore, I still have an amazing feeling of wonder everytime I see one. I still get very emotional at some very special deliveries, women that we have cared for over the pregnancy that we never thought would make it to viability let alone full term, etc...

One very special delivery - mom had a baby die the year before at 4 hours of age (their first girl after 2 boys) from a prenatally diagnosed anomaly - we all knew she would not live. I took over care after delivery and was her nurse when the baby died - I have also known this couple since they were highschool sweethearts. I was so fortunate to be her nurse when she had a healthy 10lb baby girl the next Easter morning:smiley_aa , we all cried like babies.

If you ever lose the wonder of birth, forget that you are a very important part of an incredibly important part of people's lives, or quit being scared when things go south, then it's time to get out. In the mean time, enjoy the ride ... God I love my job:1luvu:

RNnL&D · Jul 19, 2006

We just finished our OB rotation Friday. I finally got to see a lady partsl birth. I saw a c-section but even though it was amazing, it didn't hold a candle to watching the lady partsl delivery. I didn't even hardly know these people and I was in tears. And the thing is, I can't imagine it being any different any other time. Do those of you in L&D always feel moved when you see a delivery? Or does it wear off after a while? :) I don't know if the emotions I felt were because I had been very involved in helping this woman push or if it was just the miracle of birth, but it really opened my eyes and is making me consider L&D after graduation. I just loved this semester!

I wouldn't say that it gets "old", but some births seem to be more routine than amazing. I am still moved at many deliveries, but with the pts I don't quite click with, the pts who are downright mean, the families who seem to care less about what is happening in that room, those are the births that don't seem so stupendous. Does that make sense? When there is joy in a room, you feel it. :balloons: When there is tension in a room, you feel that too.

SmilingBluEyes · Jul 20, 2006

The wonderous process of birth, never, ever gets old. The politics, legal pitfalls, risks, and paperwork that surround hospital birth, however do, and fast.

LUVNOB-RN · Jul 23, 2006

To me, having the opportunity to witness a new life coming into the world is an experience that I cannot even put into words. Let alone knowing that I was one of the ones there to help this happen - wow! The part of birth that gives me the "biggest case of the warm fuzzies" is seeing a baby take its first breath. I'm getting 'warm fuzzies' just thinking about it! lol The first time I got to witness a birth was the day I decided that I wanted to work in maternity.

Looks like by your screen name you wanted to work in NICU, but by your post you are considering L&D?? Well maybe if you get into the right hospital (every hosp. seems to be set up diff.) you can maybe get a job in the nursery and possibly "get the best of both worlds"???? This way you will have the opportunity to help with L&D and work with babies at the same time. Just a thought :):) Best of luck with the rest of school!

LVNOB