Krista77

Hi CaliRN~ I actually started in adult ICU... After 2 years I got enough gut to admit that it wasn't for me... but it took me 2 more years to get enough gut to leave!!! Yikes! First of all- it really does take about a year to figure out if it's for you or not... being that it's only been 6 months for you, it's hard to say if you really weren't meant to be an ICU RN. In school- ICU and L&D interested me the most. So- after 4 years of ICU, I finally got out- tried to get in L&D, but no positions were available. SOoooo, I took the next best thing: Couplet Care (postpartum and nursery combined)- and I LOVE IT!!!!! :heartbeat I was so grateful to just get my foot in the door down in our Women's Pavilion... Well, now I've been there for 9 months, and there ARE positions in L&D, which I just applied for- and the manager has given me a full time day shift L&D position (sweet!!!!). So- my advice to you- keep trying ICU until you are without a doubt sure you really don't like it anymore (but, PLEASE don't make yourself miserable, like I did, and stick it out just because you "thought it's right for you"). Be courageous and try L&D if you feel ICU isn't cutting it. What do you have to lose? That's what is SO great about nursing- we can do a million different things- and always go back to where we started, if we choose. Lots of luck- I wish you the best! ~Krista

EEE GATS! I am new to couplet care (both moms and babies- came from 4 years adult ICU).... and I say eee gats!! because I'm reading all of your replies on how to handle a GBS unk/pos mom! For our unknown moms- we don't do a dang thing, unless she was treated at all- then all we do is a CBC... depending on those results, we go from there (blood cultures, CRP, etc). For our positive moms- all we do is get a CBC- call the results, and again- depending on what they are, we go from there. Yikes! Are we not doing ENOUGH???

Thanks! I also found a study that suggested having it done before the 2nd hour after birth... I just had a night shift nurse kinda give me crap about not getting it done... and I was just curious what others in the same situation would have done. ~Cardinal RN

Can someone please tell me when you should administer vitamin k to newborns? I understand to give it soon after birth- but my concern is that I admitted a baby at the change of shift... I did the initial vital signs and assessed the infant. The night shift RN seemed shocked that I had not yet administered the vitamin K. The infant was 1 1/2 hours old at the time of report. Thanks a bunch, Cardinal RN

Please hang in there! You are going through what I feel every new nurse goes through... I did myself! I've been an RN for 4 years now. I started in ICU (and still there...). Wow was it stressful! It still is at times, but it took me a good year to really feel openly confident- A YEAR! I know you're thinking, "geez, I can't make it that long!" But YES you can! Just wake up everyday and know that it is a brand new start... go to work knowing you are going to do your best... always get a good night's sleep before work... and relieve that work tension by exercise, hanging out with your friends (a good laugh is GREAT medicine!)... Don't be discouraged. You went through ALL that school to be a nurse (ie: advocate, friend, counselor, mother, pharmacist, even a doctor at times ). It will all pay off, promise!!! ~Krista

Hang in there! I would NOT leave your job without something (anything!) lined up... just from what you mentioned about "deeply in debt". Considering your personal medical concerns (esp back problems) what about a desk nursing job? You could do workers' comp... insurance... a doctors office? Don't give up just yet... get some good sleep, and start your day off with a new breath of fresh air tomorrow. Whatever you decide, good luck!!!

Ok, so I either have really bad luck or really bad karma... or SOMETHING! I was originally promised a FT L&D position... then it was quickly taken back only to give to a current L&D PRN employee... Soooo, then the manager ensures me that the part time position that is becoming available (one of her nurses is on medical leave and unable to return) is mine- and that she has already spoken to her director to let her know she wants me to have the position.... guess what??? She AGAIN gives this position to ANOTHER one of her current L&D PRN employees. I can't win!!!! She apologizes so sincerely... but I'm so hurt, it's hard to have hope! My husband (poor thing, hearing this stuff ALL the time) keeps telling me to hold my head up and just keep on going. The manager has given my name to the PP/Nursery manager- who I have spoke with... but there are no promises there, just "keep your eyes peeled for any available positions and I'll interview you for them..." She did say there were several becoming available in the next few weeks, but if others who have experience apply, she would be obligated to take them- and I totally agree! (I'm just hurt two positions have been "given" to me, only to be taken away!). GETTING INTO OB IS LIKE TRYING TO BREAK INTO FORT KNOX!!!!! Oh, and what REALLY drives me MAD, is that there are so many local hospitals willing to accept new grads over people like me who have 4 years critical care experience- WHAT!?!?!?!?! You would think I would have some advantage here! (no offense to new grads;) ) I'm feeling that I should be convinced my purpose in life is to stay in the ICU... but I'm MISERABLE there! Just had to vent- thanks for reading ~Krista

Love to read this stuff! Now I know I'm NOT alone!!! My SIL, about 2 hours away calls yesterday histerical to tell me that her daughter (a year and a half old) has fallen, hit her head on the end table and is bleeding.... she wants to know if her daughter needs stitches-??? WHAT!? Hello, I'm about 2 hours away and can't see anything she's talking about. Oh, the best part- she wants to know if it's going to scar... geez!

:uhoh21: Samantha- Please know that I am in NO way trying to sway you one way or the other... I just thought it might be of some support to know that others have gone through similar trying times... and it just so happens what worked for me may not at all be what will work for anyone else! I COMPLETELY agree with trying ALL non medicinal routes FIRST!!! Just remember- you WILL get through this! Hang in there!!!!

Samantha2000 -I can relate to your feelings... In my very last semester of nursing school, I was striving for good grades, trying to make the most of every clinical experience, busting my tail on papers/projects, AND I was the president of our Nursing Student Council... (planning meetings/fundraisers/parties). Whew! It was SO stressful! I tried to take long hot baths at the end of my day... take brisk walks... TRY to eat fairly healthy... it just all caught up with me. I got to a point where I would never sleep a whole night through and would constantly have headaches. I finally went to talk to my doctor (who I've seen for many, many years) and cried my eyes out! He first suggested all that I've tried, then decided it was best for me to try an anti-depressant... I was like "WHAT? An anti-depressant??? But I'm NOT depressed! Little did I know it also works for anxiety... So I took it, for less than two months... (oh, and I was terrifed at the time someone would find out and judge me- but I kept if very, very confidential and not a soul knew about it- other than mom ) And whether it was the thought of taking something that was supposed to "fix" me (placebo effect???) or it actually worked, I don't know... What I do know is that I survived nursing school AND graduated at the top of my class! So- try the relaxation, eating right, exercise, meditation, seeing friends, etc, etc FIRST... Then see your doctor. Good luck- and hang in there!!!!! :icon_hug:

Thanks SmilingBluEyes... I appreciate your reply. I guess all I can do now is sit and wait... I'll just keep my eyes peeled for other OB/Gyn positions just in case.

Ugh!!! I am devastated! I FINALLY heard back from human resources about the L&D position I was "promised" by the manager... and come to find out- the manager has given this position to a PRN L&D RN- AFTER she already promised it to me!!!! Don't get me wrong, I am all about supporting your internal staff. But, it just kills me that the manager literally told me it was mine, and I just had to wait for HR to officially offer it to me. :angryfire I did speak to the manager and questioned this... she apologized and said she had been out for a few days, and when returned, this PRN employee approached her about the ("MY") full time position. So she said she had to offer it to her because 1) she has the experience 2) she is already working on the unit and knows the routine. Now she says there is a nurse on medical leave who is not coming back, and she has already been to her director expressing that she would like me to have the position. She says to wait for the position to be legally available for her to offer, and it's mine. Do I trust this when I've already been burned once!?!?!

Hello all! I will be starting in L&D soon (hopefully... just waiting for HR to make the call to me!). When I shadowed, I noticed ALL of the LD nurses had pediatric stethoscopes. I have a Littman Cardiology III. I don't mind buying another one, but I did run into a situation where a young lady came into our triage area- and had an awful congested cough. Well, the LD nurse I was shadowing actually used MY stethoscope to listen to her. So is it necessary and worth it to buy the pediatric stethoscope?

Oh, and congratulations too!!!! :balloons:

Great question elizabells! I've been on 12 hour days for 4 years... now I'm going to be starting L&D on 12 hour nights soon.... What to do!?!?! I also hate to get up before the crack of dawn- when EVERYONE else in to world is still sleeping!!! I'm not sure if nights will be for me, but I HAVE to start somewhere (ya can't just walk into a day position in L&D around here )