Peds to Newborn Nursery?

[orangestar25]

I am currently an RN on a Pediatric floor in a hospital. I have been there for 2 years in February. I went into Nursing because I wanted to work in the well baby nursery. Upon graduation Pediatrics was the closest I could come to it. Now, I love most of the people I work with, feel like I'm finally feeling more confident in my skills, and wondering what I should do. There is an opening in well baby nursery now, should I apply? The peds floor really stresses me out and I don't think I'm a fan of that. I'm always stressed out and on edge because everything could go downhill so fast. But on the other hand, I feel like if I leave I will forget all the precious info that I do know now. It has taken alot of time to learn the things that I know now. Parents are also not so fun to deal with when their kids are sick. What would you do? Stay on Peds or take a change with well baby?

Also, what are the pros and cons of well baby?

[caramelcomet]

It is a great place to work. I have been trying and trying and trying to work there. But they do give you a higher census. I was Level III NICU nurse, and working in well baby is easy compared to that.

I also did some pedi patients, but still found well baby enjoyable as you really get to teach.

Well babies can also change depending on their circumstances so you also have to have good assessment skills.

Hope this helps you.

[nocturnalnurse]

i started in pediatrics because it was the closest i could get to what i wanted to do...ob/gyn/newborn nursery/postpartum....i felt the transition to the nursery to be comfortable after working in pediatrics for 2 years. i also liked that pediatrics gave me some experience with things that i don't see very often in ob like picc lines etc..., so when i do see them now, i am comfortable with them and can assist my co-workers in these areas as well. i say go for it.

[ocean waves]

Hello. If your goal has been to work in the newborn nursery, I agree with the writer who said "go for it" while there is a position open. You asked about the "pros and cons of newborn nursery". I have worked peds, newborn, and neonatal intensive care. I enjoyed working in all these positions. To me the pros of newborn nursery include: (1)mostly healthy little patients;(2)fewer meds to administer; and (3)opportunities to do teaching to parents such as breastfeeding help. The challenges include: sudden changes in condition which require quick assessment and intervention; requirements at some hospitals for newborn nursery nurses to take a neonatal critical care class; expectations at some facilities for such nurses to be present in the delivery room for all C-section full term deliveries; and surprisingly busy work hours with many feedings and transferring babies back and forth to the post-partum floor to visit with their parents. Best wishes!