L&D right for me?

Specialties Ob/Gyn

Published

Hi !

I'm considering a big change in my career. I would like some feedback regarding L&D,trying to decide if it's right for me. I've been a nurse for 3 years, I'm 40,I enjoy my current position in PACU for the most part. Just feel drawn to make a change. Anyway- I'm not in any hurry at all,just considering my options. What are the best,worst parts of L&D? Oh! My PACU is verrry busy,very fast paced.There may be a lull in the action,or 12 hours of toiling with no lunch or breaks,also some very sick patients come through. Just saying because some PACUs have a rep for being so gravy.

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Specializes in Gerontology/Home Health CM, OB, ICU, MS.

I love L&D, everything about it.

I guess I am not an L&D nurse now, for practical/geographical issues. If I had been willing to live & work in Los Angeles, I would now be a happy & $$$ full-time L&D nurse or midwife.

95% of the time it is happy happy happy. When things go wrong, they go wrong FAST, & you will never forget those times, which are thankfully rare.

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Specializes in Gerontology/Home Health CM, OB, ICU, MS.

To clarify: I could not get the intensive training the job requires, while living in the bucolic peaceful area which is my home.

And L&D requires training & LOTS of experience, to be a safe practitioner.

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Thanks for the reply. I guess I'm just trying get an idea of what strengths are required. I feel blessed that my liscence allows for such diversity in jobs,and L& D interests me. I wanted to consider my interests and temperament...so -any input will be appreciated. -The apsects of PACU that I enjoy are monitors and quick interventions with immediate results.I like that you never know what you're gonna get,things can go so smooth ,or take unexpected turns.I also like the fact that you can take a hurting,scared,out of control person and really do some good things for them.Kinda like turning chaos around ...I like to teach,tho there isnt much to teach in PACU.I'm being long winded,but if you see where I'm going-can anyone say if you like....,then you'll like L & D.If you hate...,stay far away. Thanks!

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To be an L&D nurse you have to be willing to have patients who are "unstable", i.e., patients whose conditions are rapidly changing. Some nurses prefer a shift where you can kind of predict what will happen, plan your day, care for the same patient for 12 hours etc. It sounds like, coming from PACU, you are already used to rapidly changing patients and environments. I guess I'd say that strengths required are flexibility and a certain tolerance for adrenaline rushes.

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Specializes in OB.
Thanks for the reply. I guess I'm just trying get an idea of what strengths are required. I feel blessed that my liscence allows for such diversity in jobs,and L& D interests me. I wanted to consider my interests and temperament...so -any input will be appreciated. -The apsects of PACU that I enjoy are monitors and quick interventions with immediate results.I like that you never know what you're gonna get,things can go so smooth ,or take unexpected turns.I also like the fact that you can take a hurting,scared,out of control person and really do some good things for them.Kinda like turning chaos around ...I like to teach,tho there isnt much to teach in PACU.I'm being long winded,but if you see where I'm going-can anyone say if you like....,then you'll like L & D.If you hate...,stay far away. Thanks!

i think you should pursue an L&D career, sounds like you would be a good fit, never know what's gonna walk in the door, and yea, things can go smooth or require lots of interventions and teaching is a requirement! :nurse:

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