From ER to L&D easy or tough?

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Hello, I am looking for some advice from experienced L&D RNs as I am trying to make the decision of whether or not transfer to L&D from ER. I have always wanted to work for L&D and now that I need to acquire 400hrs in order to keep my license current thought that this would be a great time to orientate to a new unit. But and a big but I have three small children at home (5,2 and 6mth) and not sure I want to commit to more then 2 or 3 shifts a week. What are your thoughts on being able to jump into a huge learning curve like L&D working only part-time.

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Specializes in ER.

I am a current ER nurse. I haven't worked L&D so no advice there. However, I started working in the ER part time without any other nursing experience. I think ER has a large learning curve just as L&D would. Perhaps you could do a full-time orientation and then switch over to part time? That is what I did and it worked out wonderfully. Good luck.

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Specializes in ED.

I can't speak from first-hand experience, but one of my closest friends moved from full-time in ER to part-time in L&D/Peds (our hospital requires you to rotate on both) 1.5-2 years ago (while she had 2 kids under 3 at home) and she absolutely loves it. She's now FT on L&D/Peds and while she says she does miss ER she has no thoughts of moving back any time soon. She said there was tons to learn, but she caught on quickly.

Hope this helps!

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Specializes in L & D, Nursery, med/surg.

Have you considered call time? Some birth centers require call time which can be kinda tuff if you have little ones. My hospital requires 24 hours a month. It can be alot, especially when you get called in.

Good luck!

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Specializes in Obstetrics/Case Management/MIS/Quality.

most l&d units work 12 hour shifts....so if you are able to work 3 days a week doing 12's, that would be considered full time.

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