L&D not for me :(

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As much as I love L&D, I do not feel it is right for me. I do not like the fact that it is such a highly litigious area of nursing, potentially critically or permanently hurting a baby, and the stress of a crash/emergency c-sections, etc. But I love bonding with my labor pts, getting cards and thank you's from all the pt's that I worked so hard to deliver lady partslly or being there for the scared pt that wasn't expecting a c-section. That is what I love! The bond you create with your patients and the job satisfaction you get from making a real difference in someone's life.

I'm trying to find an area of nursing that will fulfill the love that I have for nursing without the high stress level of an L&D nurse.

Any other areas in the hospital do not interest me...med/surg, ICU, ER, telemetry, ortho, oncology, nicu, etc. I've thought of just doing postpartum (I do that in my position as well, I work in LDRP.) But to be frank, I think I would get bored.

Any suggestions?

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Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.

Any area is possibly litigious & have the possibility of a code. Maybe try clinic nursing...

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Specializes in LTC.

Home care or public health nursing doing mom/baby visits and education?

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Specializes in Critical Care, Postpartum.

I wanted to go into OB but knew L&D would be too stressful so I went into Postpartum (mother/baby). I made a great choice. Have you tried shadowing in that area? When I'm in the nursery working, I'm constantly busy taking blood, starting IV meds, etc. When I'm on the floor taking care of mom I get a little break. So I get the best of both worlds.

Sent from iPink's phone via allnurses app

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Specializes in critical care.

When I was researching midwifery, I learned midwives are sued less and since they refer out higher risk births, their cesarean rate is far lower. Birth centers could give you full time hours, as well. Or perhaps a shift to women's health for awhile, and out of births, might help? Same population, different focus.

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Specializes in L&D, infusion, urology.

Maybe compared to L&D, postpartum would be "boring", but I think it might actually be a good match for what you seek. It's the same population, and honestly, I don't find it boring. Depending on the type of unit (we see a lot of high risk), there can be a lot going on. There's A LOT of patient education and watching a woman (and the rest of the family) transition into parenthood.

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Specializes in L&D.

I actually think you would be a good fit for Postpartum. I love L&D, every aspect of it. I completely agree with RunBabyRun.

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Specializes in Eventually Midwifery.

Ditto to Ixchel- have you thought about going back to school to be a CNM? It sounds like you would be a great midwife :)

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