PP to Labor?

[xxdiscoxxheaven]

Hello everyone!

I'm wondering has anyone transitioned from PP to high risk L/D and antepartum. I've been working PP at a small community hospital for 7 months. By no means am I claiming to have mastered PP but 95% of my nights consist of breastfeeding, heel sticks, motrin, repeat. No variety. Never started an IV, never put in a foley, etc. Most of my issues are with my unit itself; staffing, all new grads on nights, new grads as charge. I'm wondering if now is the time to move on. I've always wanted to be a labor nurse and I've interviewed for a position elsewhere that seemed promising. I just want more skills!

[xxdiscoxxheaven]

I should add that I was told I would cross train in 6-12 months at this job. It seems like a lie now because staffing is a revolving door and a long list of people waiting to do it. Also, the labor girls seem to think 12 weeks isn't enough to really learn labor well

[LaborLoveRN]

Do it!!!! Lol! I started off in a mom-baby unit as a new grad and felt the same way after about 6 months. It sounds like our units had the same issues. I felt I wasn't getting enough skill, plus I wanted some adrenaline. :) I fell head over heels in love with L&D, triage, antepartum and I've never looked back! (Well except for when I occasionally have to take care of couplets when I get floated to mom baby lol). It sounds cliché, but it truly became my passion. I just applied to become a certified nurse midwife. :) you owe it to yourself as a new OB nurse to soak up all of the experience you can. I just don't feel like I got that from only doing postpartum. Do what you feel is right! Good luck to you! Keep us posted!

[ashleyisawesome, BSN, RN]

I do L&D/PP, but was trained in PP first and had to wait my turn to train to L&D. I personally prefer L&D over PP, but I love that we switch back and forth because sometimes I get a little burnt out in labor and need a nice boring night in PP. They are definitely two different worlds and I feel like there is a lot more to learn in L&D. I don't think 12 weeks is enough to orient because not only do you have to be prepared for the variety of problems that arise in labor, but you also have to learn how to circulate in the OR (and possible scrub), as well as recover a post op right after surgery, which are like their own specialties almost. At my hospital we also do triage, which is almost like working a mini OB ER. L&D is definitely more exciting, my shift seems to go a lot faster because there is a lot going on. Your PP skills will be helpful. You know how to check a fundus, you can help with breastfeeding, you know how to do a baby assessment, and might even have some experience with postpartum hemorrhages. Go for it, I don't think you will regret it!