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.
Specializes in Oncology; medical specialty website.
If you like making connections with your patients, feeling appreciated, etc., I'd suggest giving hospice a try. You're with patients and families at a critical time in their lives, and you provide care that is desperately needed. I've never regretted my time as a hospice nurse.
OP I hear ya, I decided not to be a LD nurse for the exact reasons you've described. I work in postpartum and love it!!! But since that is off your list I would go with the suggestions of jadelpn.
Hospice might be a good choice. I had a relative on hospice and I definitely appreciated the staff that helped our family through the difficult time.
As for postpartum, I'm still considering it. I just don't feel the same connection I do with postpartum pt's than I do my labor pt's. But it's not totally off the table.
OCNRN63, RN
5,979 Posts
If you like making connections with your patients, feeling appreciated, etc., I'd suggest giving hospice a try. You're with patients and families at a critical time in their lives, and you provide care that is desperately needed. I've never regretted my time as a hospice nurse.