I'm struggling with life decisions right now. I've got a decent job in the healthcare field that I am extremely bored with and am a mom to a beautiful 19month old. We want to have another, but all that aside......I am most likely going to start an ADN program (can't do the fast track BSN, b/c I still have to work) in Jan and will be done Dec '12. I toyed w/ the idea w/ nursing school before, but decided I really didn't know if I wanted to do it. Then got pg, so definitely didn't do it. After having my daughter, I am obsessed w/ pregnant women, breastfeeding, labor stories, newborn care and all things mom/baby. I am quite familiar w/ what nurses do as I work very closely with them, so nursing is not going to be a surprise to me. I have a ton of documentation, red tape, politics in my job as well. :) Anyway, what is holding me back is that when I get done w/ school I may not be lucky enough to get a PP or L&D job. I would love to start off in PP and then possibly do L&D. Also, being away from my family and the stress of nursing school. But, I just feel that I want to be that nurse who helps a new mom or 2nd, 3rd, 4th time mom out in the hospital. My friend just had a baby and I saw the picture of her nurses gloved hand holding her baby for her first picture. I told my husband, see, that could be my hand. I could be the one holding that newborn so the parent can take their childs first picture....
I don't really know what I'm asking, but something along the lines of ...... did you only want to work in OB, did you have to do something first to gain experience, should I really postpone having number 2 and sacrifice 2 years of my daughters life so I can have what I want (i feel selfish), ........ I struggle being a working mom and missing out, but I worry I will regret not doing this down the road. Is it crazy of me to focus on career first instead of postponing school until the kids are older? I worry I am already in a job that I am not thrilled with and I don't want to go back to school and end up in a position that I'm not thrilled with. I really just want to work mom/baby. Does someone have a crystal ball???? Anyone???
Ok, I'm rambling, but just figured a lot of you are moms and may have been in my shoes at one point in your life :-)
LouisVRN-wow!! how did you do it w/ a new baby!!! I guess the school was almost over by the time you had your baby! AMAZING! I wonder if I am obsessed with baby/BF/birth because of my amazing birth experience and really it might fade once I hit the floors of a hospital??? I do know when I talk to my patients or anyone about nutrition (I am a RD), I am not nearly as excited as when I talk about birth/BF/labor/etc. Thanks so much for your perspective and I am glad you have found a good place for you!
Hospice Nurse LPN-Good for you going back to school and knowing what you want to do! That is an awesome feeling.
awsmfun and kids-midwifery sounds perfect, but scares the crap out of me! I think I would really want to get my RN first. I just don't trust myself yet.....does that make sense? But, I could see that down the road. I would love to work at a birth center!
df77-awww, so glad I am not alone . The thought about having to work 30 more years is why I think I need to do this now. I can't imagine doing what I do now for another 30 years. But, I could easily switch to a different field as an RD. My daughters' Ped. asked me to come work for him as a RD this week.....which is why I'm freaking out over my decision once again. I think it would be a nice change and I could work w/ moms, but the baby factor wouldn't be there. The labor wouldn't be there. I see myself doing some sort of childbirth education down the road, BF education.....but I think I am burnt out of food talk unless it is breastmilk Good luck to you...and I would love to know how things go with your career change!
casi-I do think getting some med/surg would be very beneficial. Good advice.
I do not want to sound rude, but I do not think it's possible to be passionate about a specific profession that one has not been involved in. I understand that you work along side nurses but it's not the same thing. I'm going to graduate 2011 but I'm still weary about calling nursing a passion of mine. However, I'm not afraid to say that I love what I've been learning these past years and I willingly want to pursue it. At the same time, I think nursing is glamorized in school as well as in the media and we, people looking from the outside, do not really understand nursing until we actually practice it in the real world. Thus, we tend to have this expectations of what nursing will do to, or make, us. I believe that's why some seasoned nurses are a bit disgruntled when new nurses/student nurses/wannabes (I hate that word btw) say we're so "passionate" about nursing because of (insert you choice of idealistic ideas about nursing).
I'm not saying you shouldn't be a nurse but do your research thoroughly before committing. I just want to make clear that not every birthing experience is going to be like your friend's (i.e. holding the baby enthusiastically so that mom and dad can take a picture). You're not always going to feel elated to be working with the patients and some patients are not going to be delighted with the care you provide. My clinical instructor has told me that she has gotten bruises working in the L&D unit, not on purpose mind you, but because some of her patients did not have anyone so she took the role of comforter who held their hand. Some patients during delivery would hold on to her with a death grip causing those bruises.
I use to think the only thing I could see myself doing is PP. For some reason the unit just clicked for me and I've done a lot of research about it. I'm not done with school yet but I am keeping my options open about every field because you never might know what will surprise you. My friend was positive she'd be a ICU nurse and now she works in psych and loves it. Where I live there are about 4-5 large pediatric hospitals and outpatient specialty clinics so I'm really starting to research and get my head into pediatrics a little more because there seem to be a lot more opportunities in that field and OB is sorta restricting to L&D, PP and AP and SOMETIMES NICU.
You may not be able to experience everything during clinicals though, so you won't be exposed to every kind of nursing, but even just researching it can help sometimes. Not to mention I've also heard a few things about the hospitals L&D and PP units in my area and most weren't that flattering. Plus I'm not sure if I could handle all the politics and controversies that come along with OB nursing. Bottle vs. Breast, Circ vs. Non-circ, c-section vs. lady partsl, use of medical technology and instruments, issues with VBAC, natural vs. pain meds, difficult OB's.
I liked the advice to seek training as a doula. But if your passion is L&D go for it. You may not get a job right away but if you do everything you can to make yourself the candidate that any employer couldn't pass up, you'll get where you want to. Get a job in an OB office that suits your current abilities, once you get your RN you will have a personal connection that will serve you well. Good luck!
I don't see anything wrong with being passionate about wanting to work in a specific field before you become an RN. People have passions for different reasons, going to school doesn't form one's passions, only opens people's eyes to different ideas. For example, A&P has made me fascinated with the heart and brain. So maybe I might like to be in a cardio or neuro unit? I'm open to it. Which is why many have suggested that the OP be open to other areas, because you just never know.
I'm passionate about Oncology & Hematology. Hematology because I have a bleeding disorder and I have a friend who has HIV, Oncology because cancer runs in the women of my husbands family. But I'm open to experience other areas before I get into that field. And I'm open to the idea that I may not like it. But either way, I'm passionate about helping people in that population.
m_aidez-I question that very thing everyday!! Believe me..which is why I am having a hard time deciding what I should do. No, I am not a nurse now, but in dialysis we work EXTREMELY close. I've worked in a hospital setting before for over 5 years. I have always had a very close relationship with every nurse I have worked with, b/c otherwise my job would be that much harder. They support me and I support them. I get to know them and ask questions about what they do all the time. I am very clear on what a nurses role is and I am not passionate about nursing as a whole at this time. I am passionate about being there for a mom/baby/family at the most intimate time of their lives. I am passionate about educating them even if they want to formula feed, have an epi, have an induction, not go for that VBAC. I say that, b/c I know not everyone is like me. I wish there was less intervention and more breastfeeding, but I am all for whatever the mom wants as long as it is safe. Can I get comfy with the idea that I will have to do some SVE's, have water breaking and squirting everywhere, families, blood everywhere, foley's, dealing with a loss, a mom delivering preterm b/c she is on cocaine, a teen mom, having a doc induce on a friday so he can have his weekend off, more documentation then being there for the pt, hospital admin, more admissions then I could handle, lack of support from coworkers, etc? I don't know. That is one thing holding me back. Can I do this? I know it is not all rosy and cute bottoms. I wish it was, but I have dealt with and know people who have had very hard times in the L&D room. I want to be there for them. I want to support them. I want to help them. I see my personality fit more along with PP, b/c I'm an educator. That is what I do the majority of the time at my job now. But, I find L&D more exciting and fascinating. I don't think you sound snarky at all and you are getting me to debate with myself which is what I need!!! I also can see myself getting into nursing and finding something else I am passionate about, but right now I don't feel that. I do not find nursing glamourous by any means. I love the idea of being a midwife, but that is something I would want to do down the road if I did it. I feel I would be a better midwife if I was a nurse with a lot of experience. Midwifery scares me, b/c I do not have the skills for that autonomy. Yes, I would get them through training and experience. No, I don't have the skills to be a L&D nurse, but I see being a nurse as a stepping stone to become a midwife. Not sure if that makes sense????
guiltysins-I think peds/NICU would be my next choice. Good luck to you!
medic2033-thanks!!!
For anyone still reading , if you thought you wanted to be a PP or L&D nurse and ended up doing something else was it b/c you did not like PP or L&D? Or b/c you just fell in love with something else? If you didn't love PP/L&D, what was it that you turned you off after thinking that was the route you wanted???
People have passions for different reasons, going to school doesn't form one's passions, only opens people's eyes to different ideas.
Its how you defined the word "passion". To me passion comes from actual experience NOT an interest coming from an associated experience. For example, being passionate about oncology nursing vs. passionate about oncology because one is diagnosed with the disease, are two different concepts. To be passionate about nursing is not only knowing but also experiencing the negative and positive sides of a specific type of nursing and yet you still want to continue doing it. And yes, I agree that school doesn't form one's passions, it only gives you ideas and help you develop interests, that's why I don't consider nursing a passion of mine. Nonetheless, I have a great interest in nursing; it has broaden my mind about humans in a physical and social sense. I guess you can say, my passion lies in learning about nursing. I hope that clarifies something about what I said earlier.
I graduated 3 years ago, and have been trying to get an L&D job (or anything maternal/child health) since then, and have had no luck at all. I started in tele, and now do that pool. I also picked up another per diem job doing iv therapy, and absolutley love it. I'm still trying though to get into L&D. Good luck with whatever you do.
Like you, before nursing school I knew I wanted OB, but I went in with an open mind. There were a few other areas I liked, but I knew OB was for me. I too had a great birth experience and was into all things OB!
I did a senior practicum in L&D and I loved it. I was excited to go in everyday and truly enjoyed it. There arent many who can say that about what they do. Unfortunately there weren't and still aren't any OB positions around here and if they are they are taken by nurses with years of experience. I will be applying to a nurse midwife program and keep working where I am probably until I graduate.
I've worked as a nurse's aid all through school in cardiac where I am now and its ok, but OB is where I belong I just know it. Even in school I loved reading anything OB, it was fun and exciting to me, I know subscribe to a few OB nursing magazines. I had my daughter in May and started school in Aug, it was rough but it can be done. You just have to decide if its right for you.
What about doing a BSN,maybe 4 yrs from now jobs will be more plentiful..lol.
I read most responses, but not all....here are my thoughts:
After having my daughter I was obsessed with everything woman, pregnant, baby, etc, but I kept my crappy office job, not even thinking about nursing...finally while pregnant with #2 and super frustrated with my annoying, boring, horrible office job I decided to go for nursing school! I have a BS in exercise physiology. I had the intent to go to PT school or OT school but by the time I graduated I decided it wasn't for me...but here I was with this B.S. degree.
So, I applied to nursing school...Got the acceptance letter the DAY I delivered my son (who was wisked away for surgery at a Children's hospital that same day->torsioned testicle, no biggie really, but big deal when he got taken!)...anyways, I DID IT! Nursing school with a 10 week old baby at home! Pumping on my lunch break, etc. Mind you I did quit my job and we are/were pretty broke. I was at school 3 full days and at home the rest of the time. My kids are now 3.5 and my "baby" is 21 months old already!
I graduate in December of this year (YAY!). I have seen a lot in clinicals. I still LOVED OB, BUT I did start to like med/surg also. Even the GI lab was pretty cool! And PACU was neat!
So, for ME, if their was an oppurtunity to get into PP/MB here I'd take it in a heart beat. I'm not sure I'd be comfortable in L&D. I get asked all the time what area I want to work in and I really truly don't know 100% for sure...but I agree that you may be surprised at what other areas interest you.
I've been lurking for awhile but this post represents me so well I just had to join and reply finally.
I also just had a baby girl (13 months) and am a maternity/postpartum junkie now too. I've been really bored in my graphic design job for the past year and have really wanted to get a more hands on, on my feet, service job and it never hit me until now that a PP nurse would be perfect! I don't have ANY experience with nursing or healthcare though so I hope I am doing the right thing. I also will have to postpone more children until after school and I have been the breadwinner so far so cutting back on work for me will make it financially tight for our family. Like you, it's going to be a lot of sacrifices for something that is hopefully the right fit for us!
It's good to hear that other people found to love other specialties. I really, really want to start in PP but I am already worried about being able to get a job right away in it, and if I don't will I be miserable somewhere else?
I would also be very open to be a Community Health Nurse or Lactation Consultant, since it's not about the money for me, but I realize those jobs come along even less often maybe. I would love to be a Midwife someday too since I am personally more holistic.
I think the great thing about a health care degree is that there are several options for you when you are ready to get out there. And hopefully in a few years when we have our licenses the economy will be better.
w/ pregnant women, breastfeeding, labor stories, newborn care and all things mom/baby. I am quite familiar w/ what nurses do as I work very closely with them, so nursing is not going to be a surprise to me. I have a ton of documentation, red tape, politics in my job as well. :) Anyway, what is holding me back is that when I get done w/ school I may not be lucky enough to get a PP or L&D job. I would love to start off in PP and then possibly do L&D. Also, being away from my family and the stress of nursing school. But, I just feel that I want to be that nurse who helps a new mom or 2nd, 3rd, 4th time mom out in the hospital. My friend just had a baby and I saw the picture of her nurses gloved hand holding her baby for her first picture. I told my husband, see, that could be my hand. I could be the one holding that newborn so the parent can take their childs first picture....
want to start in PP but I am already worried about being able to get a job right away in it, and if I don't will I be miserable somewhere else?
mks1014
110 Posts
LouisVRN-wow!! how did you do it w/ a new baby!!! I guess the school was almost over by the time you had your baby! AMAZING! I wonder if I am obsessed with baby/BF/birth because of my amazing birth experience and really it might fade once I hit the floors of a hospital??? I do know when I talk to my patients or anyone about nutrition (I am a RD), I am not nearly as excited as when I talk about birth/BF/labor/etc. Thanks so much for your perspective and I am glad you have found a good place for you!
Hospice Nurse LPN-Good for you going back to school and knowing what you want to do! That is an awesome feeling.
awsmfun and kids-midwifery sounds perfect, but scares the crap out of me! I think I would really want to get my RN first. I just don't trust myself yet.....does that make sense? But, I could see that down the road. I would love to work at a birth center!
df77-awww, so glad I am not alone
. The thought about having to work 30 more years is why I think I need to do this now. I can't imagine doing what I do now for another 30 years. But, I could easily switch to a different field as an RD. My daughters' Ped. asked me to come work for him as a RD this week.....which is why I'm freaking out over my decision once again. I think it would be a nice change and I could work w/ moms, but the baby factor wouldn't be there. The labor wouldn't be there. I see myself doing some sort of childbirth education down the road, BF education.....but I think I am burnt out of food talk unless it is breastmilk 
Good luck to you...and I would love to know how things go with your career change!
casi-I do think getting some med/surg would be very beneficial. Good advice.