New to labour and delivery nursing

[sboettcher]

I just wanted to start a thread to discuss labour and delivery nursing! I've been working this past year as an RN in community, on reserve, and this job was absolutely AMAZING! Due to having to move, I needed to find a new job. Now, living in a metropolitan city, getting in to community health/public health is a lot more challenging and I would require a few more years of experience to be considered (although, I am hopeful I will sneak back in, sooner than later!!)

Anyways, I am now trying a whole new adventure... Labour and delivery nursing. Not only am I going back to acute care, and mainstream, regionalized healthcare, I am also working at a high risk hospital. My thought process for going this route was essentially because I did not want to go back to med/surg and I felt like long term care was my comfort zone and I felt I should challenge myself now before having a family, or else it will only get harder. SOO... any advice from fellow L & D nurses? I like the idea that there are a lot of protocols to support me through my day, however there is a LOT to learn!!! (of course!)

Any wise words? This past year working in community I was never ONCE nervous for work, never doubted my skills, never re-considered my career choice... and now being back in acute care I am anxious just thinking about work. When I am on the unit it goes as good as it can, and I surprise myself. I want the anxiety to go away.. I wish I could just realize I can NOT predict what the shift will look like before I go in, and maybe that would decrease my anxiety. I try to think.. what am I scared of.. I am of course afraid to miss something crucial (by accident!) and it harm a human being. I know a little anxiety is always good to keep you on your toes and make you double check things, however....what got you through your first few months as an L & D nurse?!!

Thank you!

[vanilla bean]

Hi there! I see this is your first post; if you're new to the site, you may not realize that there are specialty forums where you may find some interesting existing posts to read through and where you can post threads directed at others in your specialty. For yours, there is an OB/GYN forum and you can find it here. Reading through old posts may be helpful (I found it was when I started in my specialty). In any event, congrats and good luck with your new position.

[sboettcher]

Thank you!

[3KittiesRN]

Having worked med/surg for a number of years, I got burnt out. I have found a new love for nursing now that I am an L&D nurse . Been doing it for about a year now. What gets me through is knowing that I am working with seasoned nurses I can rely on to help me when I have questions. I work with wonderful role models and mentors. Good luck! You will love OB nursing!

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

Moved to the OB / Gyn Nursing forum for more replies.

[sboettcher]

Thank you for your message. I have only had 9 buddy shifts, and I am now on my own... first shift tonight!!! I am so anxious about it! I know this is normal because I have read a lot of posts on here and seems like most new nurses are anxious... I want to love my job... I am debating whether or not to do home care nursing, because I liked that when I did it.. I am feeling like acute care is not for my personality because I am so high energy normally, and I feel like working anything in acute care takes away my fun energy outside of work.. OR am I just saying this because i'm new, and scared, and worried?!! Ugh...