L&D versus Surgical floor.

[DeLovely]

I have two interviews next week one for L&D at a large hospital and the other on a Surgical/Oncology floor at a small Hospital. I just graduated and have done clinical at both hospitals. I am very intrigued with both types of nursing. The small hospital is very homey and every one seems to know each other plus it is 35 minutes from my house and pays less. The larger hospital is expanding and they have a new facility being built down the street from me that will be complete in a couple years. Since this is a larger hospital there is not a homey feel of course but I have used this facility personally to have my children and had a good experience each time. I was told by some one that if I was offered the job in L&D and accepted it that I would have limited my nursing skills and would probably have a hard time changing jobs in the future. I am really leaning toward the L&D job but if it does not work out I do not want to have limited my future job opportunities. So my question is I guess what would you do?

[STL2008, RN]

I would do the surgical floor!

[DizzyLizzyNurse]

I'd love L&D..... If you've wanted to work in L&D work there!

[DeLovely]

Thanks for the replies!

:)

[tablefor9, RN]

This is more difficult to answer than it was a couple of years ago. Then, I would have said, unequivocally, take the 1st year in Med-Surg, then move to L&D. I still think this is 1. going to make you a better labor nurse and 2. going to protect your ability to change specialties in the future. Now, in a market that's getting tighter, I have to say that you might not get a chance in your area next year.

So, do some hard thinking about this. I don't think anyone can answer for you. In fact, I find it difficult to answer even what I would do in the same situation. I love L&D, wouldn't be anywhere else now. BUT, I think the reason I'm a great L&D RN is that I did other things first. I consistently see differences in my coworkers that have only done L&D and the ones of us that came from another background.

Good luck to you.'

[chicookie, BSN, RN]

I agree with tablefor9 completely.

That being said if I were in your shoes right at this moment I would take L&D with my eyes closed. Why? A) because that has always been my dream. B) in this job market someone has to literally die before L&D has an opening. -_-. At least that is how things stand in my city. But again I think the only one that can make that choice is you.

[DeLovely]

Thanks everyone you all gave great advice!!