While still in nursing school I was offered and accepted what I perceived as my dream job as an RN on labor and delivery. I was so sure I wanted this position that I acquired STABLE and NRP before graduating nursing school, I met with the director of the department and loved our interaction, I was even looking into midwifery schools and planning my course of attack to apply.
Now, 15 months later, I'm struggling to muster up the drive to get to work each shift. To provide a little more context, I work 12 hour nights, there is a 6 year wait for a day shift position, and I have a 3 month old. Our unit is the largest in our city with 15 labor rooms, 9 antipartum rooms, and 6 triage beds. We also have 3 ORs I've trained to circulate. Though some shifts move through smoothly, most nights, the moment I return from transferring a patient to postpartum, I have another laboring mom waiting for me. Initially the adrenaline kept these nights from getting to me, but now after a pregnancy, a new baby, and pumping schedule, spending 4 hours in a patient room pushing and not being able to take a lunch (believe me, my team would offer to break me if they could, but under-staffing is also an ongoing issue, as all of us know all too well) is not feeling worth it to me anymore.
Has anyone else felt this way? I thought my resolve was so strong, but it only took 15 months for me to feel this kind of burnout. I guess my main concern is that if I do transfer to another unit, even if I can find a day shift position, will this just happen again in it's own unique way? Is the problem my idealistic idea of a perfect nursing position?
Just give yourself permission to do whatever you need to do for yourself and your family.
I had my only child as an ignorant teenager and I greatly admire all of you young mom's working and pumping and trying so hard to do it all. What I hate is that OB is frequently very unfriendly to RN mom's, when you don't get the time to pee how do you get the time to pump? If you are not a night person I can see where nights make it all the harder.
Praying you find a perfect fit. These days with your little one are precious beyond compare.
I can relate to your story. My dream job was in L&D and I was fortunate to land a job right after graduation working PP on the unit I wanted to be on. We had to do 6 months on PP before cross training to L&D and it was finally coming up on my turn! I was so excited but at the same time I was struggling with myself. I have a 3 year old at home that I felt like I wasn't 100% there for. I felt like I missed A LOT of time with her between nursing school and then working 12-hour overnight shifts at the hospital. I decided it was time for a change and left the bedside only 7 months in. I now work at a very busy OB office for high-risk patients and am much happier. I make more money, work 8-hour shifts Monday-Friday and I'm home by 5:30pm each day to have dinner with my family and spend time with my daughter. Bonus not having to work holidays or weekends either! *Side note that the office I work for uses primarily LPNs and MAs. There are only a few RNs and we do clinical work plus administrative support to keep all of the clinics running smoothly.
Do what you think is best for you and your family, girl!
The company I work for just changed the PTO policy in not a very forthcoming way. Also, they pretty much are refusing to give raises anymore. It's a complete slap in the face for all the things that I do for this company. I love my job and what I do but it's just not paying off anymore. I am in a position of wondering what I should do. I keep hoping it gets better but so far it has only got worse. It's so depressing to feel this way.
*Side note that the office I work for uses primarily LPNs and MAs. There are only a few RNs and we do clinical work plus administrative support to keep all of the clinics running smoothly. 
hexoptic
12 Posts
Just give yourself permission to do whatever you need to do for yourself and your family.
I had my only child as an ignorant teenager and I greatly admire all of you young mom's working and pumping and trying so hard to do it all. What I hate is that OB is frequently very unfriendly to RN mom's, when you don't get the time to pee how do you get the time to pump? If you are not a night person I can see where nights make it all the harder.
Praying you find a perfect fit. These days with your little one are precious beyond compare.