How do you know if you are cut out for L&D?

[ijuanabhappy, ASN, RN]

After working over the last year as a school nurse, I need a change. I have a great opportunity to interview for an L&D internship position and I'm very excited about it. I understand that L&D is not all about happy experiences and things can go south very, very quickly. I'm been studying old notes from school, taking online FHM strip tests and studying conditions, and although my rotation in nursing school did not provide much of any L&D experience, I really think I would enjoy the challenge of learning this specialty and having the privilege of being a part of bringing a new life into the world.

I have also always had an interest in the O.R., and like the fact that L&D nurses can go into C-sections. A little background, I never really have done floor nursing for very long because I had a horrible med-surg experience and realized that it just wasn't for me. I respect those nurses who can do med-surg..... I'm just not good with caring for so many patients at once. Maybe I never gave it a good chance, but I was overwhelmed. Maybe L&D would be similar to this and I'm being naive... would like input on what L&D is like, skills that make a good L&D nurse, etc. I feel like I might be a good fit because I am extremely focused, vigilant, conscientious, and cautious. School nursing has been nice but I'm kinda bored now and would really like to get into a specialty that interests me. Thank you :)

[klone, MSN, RN]

All you can do is try it and see if you think it's for you - good luck!

[ijuanabhappy, ASN, RN]

Thanks! I hope I get the job :)

[ijuanabhappy, ASN, RN]

Anyone else have any thoughts or opinions? I guess I basically want to know if this will be similar to my failed attempt at med surg when I was too overwhelmed by the high number of patients to give care to. I know L&D can be stressful, but maybe it's a different type of stress? I have an interview next week and very nervous. Appreciate any other input :)

[soccerchick]

For my hospital we staff by AWHONN guidelines so I feel that the pt load is very appropriate and easy to handle. I never felt that I "fit in" in the med-surg population either it just wasn't right for me, so far though I know that L&D is the perfect fit. While yes it can get stressful on the floor it is for sure a different type of stress.

[Aristillus]

For what it's worth, if I had to work med/surg I'd need to find another profession. You'd have to try it and see but I wouldn't let an unhappy experience on med/surg scare me away. Wishing you luck...

[lovemyjoblandd]

I did med-surg for a year before moving to LDRP. I hated every minute of it. It made me continuously question if I even wanted to be a nurse; however, it gave me invaluable skills. Time management, patient management, basic nursing skills, and leadership to name a few. I also know many L&D nurses who have never done anything but L&D and are brilliant L&D nurses. So it really just depends. Basic skills you will use frequently- IVs (duh), catheters, medication titration, etc.

When you first start out in L&D i can absolutely assure you that you are going to be overwhelmed and scared. It is not an easy specialty and things can happen very quickly. It will most likely take you a million vag exams before you have your AHA moment and know for sure that you have found the magic cervix. You will be wrong sometimes. Your confidence may waiver at times. But guess what, every single nurse has went through that. Just stay strong and learn, but be prepared for some hardships in learning this specialty. It seems you already have a fantastic enthusiasm and drive to learn so that is on your side. Maybe try to get into an NRP and STABLE class and definitely continue with the fetal monitoring. Go into it with an open mind and an open heart and you can't go wrong :)

[ijuanabhappy, ASN, RN]

Thank you so much for taking the time to comment! lovemyjoblandd, I understand what you mean about med surg giving you basic nursing skills that are so valuable. I guess that's what I worry about a little bit. That being said, the school nurse job I had over the last year was not your ordinary school nursing job. It was a 24 hour institution and many of the kids were very medically fragile. I've dealt with seizures, g-tubes, asthma attacks, in and out caths, administering insulin and checking blood sugars, etc. So I'm sure this experience will help... I'm more worried about time management, IV equipment etc, but I'm sure it will come to me. I'm so excited about this and really want it. Wish me luck!! :)

[sunmaidliz]

My mother was an L&D nurse for two years before she became the nurse manager for 5 years. She went on to become an NP in women's health. I am interviewing for a position in L&D this week. I also worked in med-surg. L&D is similar to ER in that you do something similar to treating and streeting. You assess and intervene. Find the problem and fix it as it comes up. There is no planning your day like in Med-Surg. Things are going to come up and you will deal with it then. Sometimes it's slow and then it can change to critical in a heartbeat. Like my mom, I thrive in that kind of environment. I wasn't that happy with med-surg and I actually tried to do LTC before realizing that those kinds of environments are NOT good fits.

[seemerun]

I think you can hate med-surg and yet do really well in L&D. However, in my experience you will need recent hospital experience before being considered for any L&D position. I applied for what felt like a thousand positions but it wasn't until I sucked it up, took a med-surg hospital position for a year and half that I was able to transfer onto the unit.

The two floors are very very different but I can see why my time in med-surg was helpful. I got re-acclimated to the hospital nursing culture, fine tuned my multi-tasking ability and assessment skills, and brushed up on things like communicating with doctors, processing orders - stuff that I didn't do much of when working outside of the hospital.

[ijuanabhappy, ASN, RN]

I got offered the job! Very nervous and excited! :)

[ijuanabhappy, ASN, RN]

Seemerun, although I have a few years of general nursing experience, this is an internship so they were open to hiring a new grad or a nurse who needed a change, like me!