is maternity/ l&d for me?

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Hey everyone. My name is Tami and I am 18 years old. I want to become an RN but Im not sure what field I would be interested in. I am currently enrolled in a nursing apprenticeship and I am going to school in the summer and in August I learn my CNA skills and in September the program sets me up on interviews for hospitals or nursing homes and places me with a job. I was wondering when you do your CNA do you get to pick which floor you would like to work on?

Also how do I know L&D is for me? What are the pros and cons you experience?

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Specializes in ED.

I'm a senior in NS right now.

Most facilities do not allow you to pick the area you want to work is as a CNA. If a unit doesn't have an empty slot you don't just get to say you want to work there. A lot of units don't use CNAs or techs either so you just have to take what you can get.

At 18, I think it is too early to make a decision about which area of nursing you want to work in. A lot of girls in my program have big dreams of going into L&D but once they get in that class and clinical they are really lost. Having kids can make a huge difference. One of my fellow older classmates was never able to have children and even lost several due to miscarriage and even lost one at 22 weeks. The L&D clinical was very hard for her.

You may also find that you absolutely LOVE working in cardiac or even in surgery. I think it is GREAT to have dreams and goals but don't pass up a great opportunity or discount one area of nursing without at least trying it.

good luck!

m

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Hello

I am a nurse in canada so I cannot speak to your expectations regarding your enrolled program, but I can comment that as a nursing student you will likely have lots of opportunities to explore different areas of practice. If you dont get the experience you desire during your schooling you will likely have lots of opportunities to explore different types of jobs when you graduate. I have been a nurse for 16 yrs and I have worked in L&D, cardiac surgery, organ transplant, neurosciences, temp nursing (including home care, prison nursing, school nursing etc), travel nursing to the U.S., elderly care home nursing,med-surg etc, . I am currently in telenursing. I would be confident that you will get a chance to explore you thoughts about L&D nursing by talking to other nurses, your own research etc. And you can always apply and try a job out. Best of luck to you !

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