Help! New L&D nurse & recently found out I'm pregnant...

[jzsurf]

Hello! I'm new to this, but am desperate for insights from those who have been through the stress of starting as a L&D nurse straight out of nursing school. Going into nursing school, it was my dream to become a L&D nurse. Senior year, I did my preceptorship on a L&D unit and loved it, although in retrospect, I could have used some more "hands on" experience before heading into the field as an independent RN. Through some miracle, after applying everywhere in my local area (including mostly NON-OB/GYN jobs), I received only 1 job offer, and it was for L&D. I was exctatic.

Fast forward a few months, and my enthusiasm has wavered. I am still on orientation with a preceptor. The hospital I work at is super busy and full of high-risk pregnancies. I fear that it might be too intense a unit to begin on as a new grad. Add to equation the fact that I am 11 weeks pregnant, which I have yet to reveal to anybody. Thus far, I feel great-physically, however I have not enjoyed or cherished my pregnancy at all because all l I do is stress about work (how they will react knowing I'm pregnant, feeling like I'm not picking things up quick enough, anticipating the stress of soon being off orientation & having myself to rely on for deliveries...in general--- being in over my head).

I am not sure I want to welcome a baby into my life at a time when I am stressed over work to this extent. It may be possible for me to transfer over to postpartum, although I am not sure if I will like it, as I've had very little exposure to what it's like to be a PP nurse. Would I be missing all the excitement on L&D? Will I ever be able to get back into L&D? Am I blowing my golden opportunity? Has anybody started in L&D and then switched to PP? Would such a switch even be more conducive to my condition? Any feedback would be greatly appreciated...Smiles

[seemerun]

I think the first year out of nursing school is always tough no matter what unit you are on. If L&D is what you have always wanted to do I would stick it out. Do not worry about how people will react to the pregnancy. You are not the first nor will you be the last to be in this situation.

If you don't like it then by all means - change units! But if you do like but are just stressing over how much there is to learn I say stay put. :-)

[dariah]

I was a nurse for three years before I started L&D and I still cried practically every day on orientation. Things got better when I started night shift---it was a more conducive environment for learning, a better mesh of personalities, and not so many docs walking around hovering over your shoulder.

New jobs can be tough whether a new nurse or not. Everyone on my unit said it took about a year to start feeling competent, and I agree. I'm sure it will get better for you, especially if you can find your niche, but I think family/personal life comes first so do what's best for you.