L&D not for me?

[RNmom7]

Like many of you here, becoming a labor nurse is my dream job. For me it became a reality approximately 6 months ago at a rural facility, which averages around 240 deliveries annually.

Lately, since I am to be off orientation soon, I have been unsure of even being a nurse. I graduated at the end of 2009 and most of my experience has been med/surg.

I love what I do. Teaching moms and families about newborn care, assisting with breast feeding, the look on parents' faces when they see their infant for the first time. These things are what I come to work for.

I feel so inadequate and unsure of myself as a nurse though it scares me. I feel I've been adequately trained but maybe I'm just not meant to be a nurse. As this is a second career for me I don't know where to go from here.

[BSNbeauty, BSN, RN]

What exactly makes you feel inadequate? Labor and Delivery can be a stressful and intense environment, do you think that it is too much for you? Have you considered trying postpartum only, since it is a different pace?

I would give it more time. Perhaps a change in specialty may help. Nursing is not for everyone but I hate to see someone who is already a nurse leave the profession before considering other options in nursing.

Hang in there and I hope you find some sort of resolution.

[queenanneslace, ADN, MSN, APRN, CNM]

I can tell you're conflicted - "I love what I do." But then you say you feel inadequate.

It sounds like it's not nursing, but having confidence in your abilities. And being in the space of being new to a unit is intimidating. It's not always fun to be the 'learner.' And some lessons are harder to learn than others - like when you screw something up, or miss something obvious, or make a novice mistake. (I've been there! In fact, I think I AM there!)

If you love your job and you love OB, the skills and confidence will follow.

If it is truly nursing that you don't like, or this specific type of nursing, you still have lots of options!

If it's the new-ness to the unit, and beating yourself up over your mistakes (this is something I'm quite good at), be gentler with yourself. Of course, try not to make critical errors, but forgive yourself when you make little stupid errors. What helps me is to see that everyone makes mistakes sometimes - and this includes the doctors. Healthcare is an imperfect science, accept that it's impossible to do everything perfectly all the time. Ask for help when you need it.

[NurseNora, BSN, RN]

Nearing the end of orientation is a scary time for everyone. You will not suddenly be entirely on your own as you are probably imagining. Your coworkers will have your back. It's OK to ask for help, to ask others for opinions, to go over what you're going to say to the Doc with another nurse before waking him up at 3 AM.

Discuss you concerns with your preceptor and or manager. Perhaps your orientation can be extended. It's expensive to train a new nurse and a little more time can be cost saving in the long run. But I'll bet your preceptor feels better about your abilities than you do.

[NewGrad2014]

I haven't been in this situation yet but I can imagine your stress! I've had similar feelings throughout school - not feeling prepared or confident in my abilities.

If you love what you're doing, I hope you stay with it. It can be so hard to find a job that you really connect with and love. I'm sure you've had to take multiple courses and get different certifications but maybe there are more out there that would help you gain confidence and feel more ready to finish your orientation!

[l/dmom]

RNmom7, You say "you love your job" so give it some more time!! I remember feeling so stupid! I had 4 weeks of orientation and I was 6 months out of school!! My first day on the job I had 3 SVD's in 8 hours!!!!!! It is a scary time to be without a preceptor, but as mentioned above you are NEVER alone!! Always ask for help/opinions. I still ask for assistance and I have been doing this for 17 years!! I still have days that I feel sooo inadequate!! I keep going back because of some of the things you mentioned! I am soo LUCKY to be a part of someone's special day! I am now seeing kids growing up that I helped in their delivery.

My preceptor told me that she did not feel "comfortable" until 5 years! And if you feel TOO comfortable, it is time to move on!!

Embrace your job, you are going to have really good days, but there will be some bad days mixed in, so HOLD ON TIGHT for the Roller Coaster ride!!!!!!!!

[iPink, BSN, RN]

I definitely felt that way when I started on my critical care unit. Nursing is my second career and questioned myself plenty of times when I first started out. However, being a new nurse comes with these types of feelings. I now transferred to a postpartum unit and love it. I have found my niche, however despite me coming over as an "experienced" nurse, I still feel like I have a lot to learn on this specialized unit.

Fortunately, I often get encouragement from my coworkers (who have also transferred from other units like med/surg, ICU/PCU, telemetry, etc.) who've told me it's going to take time to feel comfortable. Even when I do mother and baby teachings, I will get a routine on what to say that it'll easily roll off my tongue. I have a few weeks left off orientation and I look forward to being cut loose. I need to do things my way.

As others have stated, give yourself some time to grow into your new job. Everyone of us who have come from previous units know we could never go back.