Graceisland

Hi KerriT3 - RNC-OB is more suited to a nurse who has extensive experience in intrapartum. Did you know that NCC has a certification in Maternal Newborn Nursing (RNC-MNN)? That might be a better option for you.

Are you passionate about L&D? Does the enjoyment you get out of helping someone have a good birth experience outweigh the negative stuff that might happen from time to time? I too have been subjected to overly harsh criticism by a doctor, which is what this sounded like in your case, and it sucks! But, you will learn as you go. If the team you work with is healthy, they will help you learn and grow. If not, you might want to look for a better place to work after a while. Meanwhile, keep focusing on the positive. Examine your thoughts, and to quote someone else "Don't believe everything you think!"

Day shift! Jump right in.

At only 7 weeks in I think it's way too early to tell how you will feel once you are fully trained and have gained the confidence and competence you need. I am the same way whenever I am learning something new, out of my comfort zone and feeling anxious. Please give yourself a minimum 3 months to start feeling better. And choose to focus and dwell on the good things about each workday. Your charting may not be perfect, but did you provide compassionate support for your patients? That, in my opinion, is the best thing about being an L&D nurse. Good luck to you, and hang in there!

L&D nurses have only the one mother/baby patient at time of transfer, whereas PP nurses may have several other patients. Logically, it makes sense for me that the L&D nurse do the transfer. (I'm an L&D nurse in case you're wondering. )

Yes, we use acoustic stim if we are not seeing accels.

I was also in your situation, an older new RN with a passion for birth who had been a doula/childbirth educator. I was fortunate to get a new grad RN job in L&D right after getting my license. I think it helps if they know you really really want to work in the L&D unit, and aren't just trying to get any hospital job. I was 54, and I don't think my age was an issue. Good luck!

I used to work in a unit where I was made to feel awful for my mistakes. Now I work in a place where mistakes are addressed with a "how can we do better next time" attitude and it's so wonderful! I guess it's just a matter of luck in finding a great place to work. Every place I've worked the pitocin is always hung on a separate line with a separate pump. Is your unit actually hanging the pit as a piggyback? That's just asking for trouble, IMO. Hopefully you'll start to feel better about yourself as an L&D nurse as you gain more experience. I'm sure the nurses you work with have all made mistakes before. Maybe they've just forgotten?

Yes, just the fact that you took the time and effort to be trained shows your commitment. Good luck!

I went straight into L&D as a new grad nurse and have no regrets. I was already a certified childbirth educator and doula, and a member of AWHONN, so they could tell L&D was really my passion.

I agree that this seems unsafe. If skin to skin is being done in the OR, there needs to be another nurse besides the circulator who is responsible for baby.

My advice - keep on learning, try to have the best attitude possible, if you find yourself being called in to more of these meetings, start looking around for other positions. Sometimes it's true that a preceptor decides that you're just not cutting it. I've had that happen to me. Luckily, I'm now in a place that truly values me and my patient centered skill set, while teaching me every day to be a better L&D nurse. It sounds like L&D is where your passion is, and we need nurses like you, so I wish you the best!

I would say look to see what jobs are available where you are. I am in a pretty urban area and we need nurses in our L&D unit so bad. You might be a perfect fit! Just start exploring and mention that you have a passion for L&D so you're looking for a place to stay semi-long term. Good luck.

No, We do not refrigerate pitocin in any form.

Yes, I am a 2 year new grad hire and I feel that your acuities would also make me feel stretched super thin and I might feel overwhelmed or a bit cranky. Have you brought up the ACOG recommendations with your Director? What do some of the other nurses on your unit say?