Major decision, need help

[cinthern]

I graduated nursing school in 2006 and went right into my passion, labor and delivery. I have been an L&D nurse for 5 years and love it. I recently was asked if i would be interested in a ER position. I have thought long and hard, and was wondering if anyone here ever made a transition from L&D to the ER and what advice, information they can offer.

It would be part-time days, which is what I work now, and I would be able to still pick up hours in the DR. I would have to give up my staff position in the DR, and that will not be easy to get back.

Please ER/DR nurses, all advice warranted and needed.

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

Remember, your decision does not have to last a life-time. If you decide to give it a try you could return to LD at some point if you change your mind. Might be hard to balance two schedules though

[netglow, ASN, RN]

Hmmm, never worked either. But, what is making you want to possibly go to the ER? Is it curiosity? You say you love your job. Do you like your management/coworkers? If so, I would probably say, to stay where you are. I do know that even though what you are doing now requires a "cool head" which, would transfer great to the ER, the learning curve is going to be huge. Do you want to start all over? Are you wanting to hit the books, with a hunger to learn again? Do you know that the docs and nurses down there are good people who won't stick it to ya when you need to learn?

[ckh23, BSN, RN]

L&D and ER are two different balls of wax. It sounds like you might be a little reluctant to give up your staff position in the DR. Before making a decision I would suggest doing a couple of shifts shadowing nurses in the ED and see what a shift is like. This way you can get a feel if the ER will be a good fit for you.

[cinthern]

I would definitely shadow before jumping into it. Going to have to really think about this one!