For L&D Nurses...First Week Of L&D Orientation!!

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I just started my first week of an 8 week orientation as a new grad RN on L&D. I feel very stressed out. It was a very busy week and I have yet to care for a patient and chart on them on my own. My preceptor usually helps me out and we jump from one patient to another. I just felt very scattered trying to care for our patients, trying to learn where everything is and how things work on this hospital's L&D unit, and catching up with all of the charting. We're on a computerized charting system and, although I'm pretty savvy on the comp., I feel it takes away from patient care. I'm usually a fast learner in other areas but L&D is making my confidence level go down. I do love L&D though. How long will it take for a new grad to feel comfortable on their own? I will be expected to be on my own in the beginning of January!! Any advice on what helped during your orientation? Thanks.

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Specializes in Community, OB, Nursery.

Go easy on yourself, mslema. You have been doing this for one week. Most nurses (L&D or otherwise) say it takes them at least a year or two before they feel comfortable in their skin, so to speak. Your words described me to a 't' my first week as a nurse too. One week is far far too soon to be distraught. Not only are you learning L&D, you're learning how to be a nurse. Either one is enough.

That said, if this continues, you might want to investigate a) whether your learning style meshes with your preceptor's teaching style. Sometimes a switch is all you need. b) the staffing at the hospital where you are. You mentioned 'patients', which I took to mean more than one. Are you talking more than one patient in active labor, or two early labor patients? What is the breakdown, if you can tell me? Sometimes it's not you that's the issue; it's the patient ratio.

I do not know more specifics than what you've just said, but I do know that you don't need to be hard on yourself. Give yourself a good 4-6 weeks and see if you don't feel a little more capable, confident, and knowledgeable. You of course won't know everything (people who've been at it many years don't either) but my bets are that you'll feel better than you do now. Keep us posted, and my best to you. I'm sure some others will come along and give you some great words. :)

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Specializes in Community, OB, Nursery.

One other thing - if, when you're nearing the end of your orientation, you feel like you need more time, say so. Go talk w/ the manager and tell her you'd feel a lot better x more weeks of orientation since you want to take as good care of your pts as possible. You would not be the first, nor the last to do that, and it shows self-awareness. Most NMs would much rather an employee who knows their limitations and asks for help rather than someone who fakes it and screws something up horribly. If she's smart, she'll let you have the time you need. (And, btw, I think 8 weeks is not a very long time for a new grad to be oriented.)

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I am sending good thoughts your way. I came to L&D w/ 10 years experience as an RN, 7 in mother-baby and 3 in cardiac. I felt a lot like you! I stilll do have some overwhelming days almost 12 years later and now I am the educator for the unit. If you know what you don't know and you are asking for help and guidance appropriately, you are off to a great start. If you stop being scared or listening to that little voice that says "watch out!", it's time to quit. 8 weeks isn't even long enough for an experienced nurse. I got twelve and I still didn't feel like I had a handle on things for a year or so. We try to give our new staff 10-12 for LDRP. We don't often get new grads,but I'd say a bit longer for them. Our ICU gives 6mos-1 year orientation for new grads and new critical care nurses. Good luck!

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Specializes in L&D telephone triage.

I went from PCU to L&D. I went home telling my husband I had just made the biggest mistake of my life transferring to L&D. With the right preceptor and time, it gets much better. Best thing I ever did even though I felt like a brand new nurse out of school when I tranferred.

Hang in there!!!:hpygrp:

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Specializes in Obstetrics, pediatrics, psychiatry.

i went home telling my husband i had just made the biggest mistake of my life transferring to l&d. with the right preceptor and time, it gets much better.

i came home crying everyday for almost a month!!! i felt completely lost. it took me a whole year to say that i was somewhat comfortable dealing with the stress of l&d. i work in a regional hospital (1500 births a year) and the training in l&d only last 10 days....

hang in there !!!!!

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

I remember 11 years ago when I started as a new grad in L/D how very MEAN the nurses and doctors were to me. They tested me at every turn. A couple of coworkers deliberately set me up to fail in a few situations. I was humilated and embarassed, as well as scared to work often. I used to get stomach aches and diarrhea before work. My husband even told me to quit and find another job, if it was going to make me so sick. He hated seeing me go through all that.

Then one day, I was thinking how much I had wanted to be an OB nurse, and how long it had taken me to get there---how much work I had put into it. I just decided I was not going to let anyone rob me of the dream I had carefully and so deliberately worked to achieve. Then I changed my behavior and attitude; determined not to be a doormat or let anyone set me up for failure again. I was clear I was not anyone' s punching bag and if they wanted a good nurse on the team, one who could really be useful in a crisis or emergency, they needed to work with me, not against me. And I worked hard, always asking others what I could do to help them; I was not finished until everyone was able to go home. This helped a lot.

Gradually, things turned around and got so much better. I learned as I went along. I also learned to stop being so hard on myself as it was not useful or helpful to me or my patients. Some of them even wound up being my friends and throwing me a baby shower when I got pregnant a couple years later.

What I am saying is, don't be hard on yourself and do be patient. No one learns any area of nursing overnight. It takes months and years of working to learn it all. be kind to yourself and don't think negative and self-destructive thoughts. You CAN do this!!!! One day at a time, you will. Don't let anyone rob you of your desires and dreams. I really do wish you all the best.

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.
i went home telling my husband i had just made the biggest mistake of my life transferring to l&d. with the right preceptor and time, it gets much better.

i came home crying everyday for almost a month!!! i felt completely lost. it took me a whole year to say that i was somewhat comfortable dealing with the stress of l&d. i work in a regional hospital (1500 births a year) and the training in l&d only last 10 days....

hang in there !!!!!

ten days? that is ridiculous!:down:

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I see that you are in Cali. In what part of Cali were you able to get a new grad spot in L&D. That is my eventual goal as well and I have been told over and over that it is basically impossible. Also, did you have a hard time getting a job after you graduated? How long did it take you? Thanks!!

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