L&D/NICU Cross-training

[babbs01]

Hello!

I am a New Grad nurse starting out in L&D. My hospital has been testing the waters with the idea of cross-training staff in L&D, NICU, PP, and antepartum to different units with the idea that it would make women’s services more self-sufficient and flexible with staffing. In nursing school I was interested in both NICU and L&D and just sort of happened to land in L&D and so far I am loving it. I am wondering if I should take this opportunity to get some training/exposure to NICU, especially because I was interested in it before. That being said, I am hesitant for a few reasons. First, I am a New Grad very much still learning L&D and I’m not sure if it would be the best idea to try and add another skill set so early in my career. Of course, I doubt that I’d be doing any cross-training before I’m off orientation but regardless I know that I will continue learning L&D far past orientation. Second, I’m unsure what level of cross-training they plan to do and I don’t want to put myself in a situation where I am asked to care for patients I haven’t been trained well enough to care for. 

Any thoughts or advice are greatly appreciated. TIA!