Help in job decision

[Gueritarn]

Hi I am hoping I can get some help on making a job switch. I have 5 years of nursing experience-1 in med/surg 4 in peds. I recently had a baby girl in August and was impressed by the help and care from some of my postpartum nurses. Before having the baby I was looking for a change in my career because I am at the childrens hosital in ny and the acuity of the patients has gone up and I have lost many patients that I had formed relationships with. Going back to work as a mom is hard enough but seeing patients near death that have not even lived life as a new mom is even harder. I was recently offered 3 jobs at a great hospital in our area and I can't seem to make a decision I was hoping I could get insight. 1 position is a part time peds float ( pros I see my baby more- cons I float from regular peds to picu/nicu) 2nd position is a full time peds position on a less acute peds unit and 3rd is a full-time postpartum float go from well baby postpartum to not as well baby postpartum :/ i feel I would love postpartum but I fear I lack experience. Any insight would be appreciated!

[serenity1]

Go where your heart is. If you have a strong desire for postpartum, take it now while you have the opportunity. It is hard to get into L&D, nursery, and postpartum where I am from, unless you have a few years of experience. I have been a postpartum nurse almost 2 years and am going to L&D beginning next week. You probably have more than enough experience as a nurse to get the hang of postpartum. Go on ebay or amazon and find a used maternal/neonatal text book to review. Study the neonatal assessment and know what your normals are. If you are given an orientation with another nurse--which I sure hope--you will be able to pick up the rest. If you take the job, the AWHONN core curriculum is a great resource. I wish you all the best. Let us know what you decide!!

[Gueritarn]

Thank you for your advice I spoke to HR about postpartum now it is just the waiting game:( thank you again!