feeling overwhelmed: Cardiac RN to now Postpartum

[rndiva1908]

I'm beginning to feel somewhat overwhemed with my new position in PP. I feel so "awkward and unfamiliar" with everything. I've been in tele. for the last year and still work as a tele RN per diem. I just started a new position at a large teaching hospital last week, and I feel like a new grad all over again. In the past, whenever I ventured off to another institution, I only had to become acclimated to the general system (i.e. forms, standard protocols). Now, I have to learn how to do assessments all over again. Overall, I'm very happy with my career decision and the facility. They have a very supportive orientation program. But, I guess I'm starting to lose some of my confidence. I always knew I wanted to work in women's health. I just hope that I'm able to have everything "down" by the time my orient. is up. Any suggestions or comments from you more experienced, "been there done that" RN's Thanks:-).

[renerian, BSN, RN]

Wow that would be hard. Give yourself time. Any nurse would understand the learning curve your on. Your courageous in my eyes.

renerian

[imenid37]

I was you back in 1990. I didn't feel too bad about postpartum, but I did mother-baby and the nursery freaked me out. This is even though I had 2 kids age 2 and newborn at the time. Here I am in ob, 14 years later. I am so glad I kept at it, although I went back to tele for a little while (6 months) because of my insecurity. You can do it. It is very different and takes a while to learn. Ask your co-workers. I had a little penlight to look at bottoms (I worked nights and hated to wake up the world w/ bright lights). I felt like the biggest dummy in the world. Now I am certified in maternal-newborn, EFM, ACLS, and (Advanced Life Support for Obstetrics). I work in a small hospital where I am often in charge and we have no doc in house. I do L/D along w/ mother-baby now and have even done a few deliveries w/o doctor there. If you'd have asked me 14 years ago, I would've told you I can barely change a diaper w/o worrying that I might be making a mistake. You can do it!!! :)

[momtotwinglesx5]

I just wanted to thank all that have responded to this post--I just finished my 1st two (12hr) shifts of orientation for mom/baby and had come home with my head spinning! This thread has helped me relax a little and remember that even the most experienced nurses on the unit had a first day too! (I had posted several weeks ago when I first decided to apply for this prn position--coming from a background working in a Family Planning clinic as a Women's Health Care Nurse Practitioner and wondering how difficult the transition to OB would be only working prn.) Anyway, I'm feeling better now--thanks!