jzsurf

Hello! I'm new to this, but am desperate for insights from those who have been through the stress of starting as a L&D nurse straight out of nursing school. Going into nursing school, it was my dream to become a L&D nurse. Senior year, I did my preceptorship on a L&D unit and loved it, although in retrospect, I could have used some more "hands on" experience before heading into the field as an independent RN. Through some miracle, after applying everywhere in my local area (including mostly NON-OB/GYN jobs), I received only 1 job offer, and it was for L&D. I was exctatic. Fast forward a few months, and my enthusiasm has wavered. I am still on orientation with a preceptor. The hospital I work at is super busy and full of high-risk pregnancies. I fear that it might be too intense a unit to begin on as a new grad. Add to equation the fact that I am 11 weeks pregnant, which I have yet to reveal to anybody. Thus far, I feel great-physically, however I have not enjoyed or cherished my pregnancy at all because all l I do is stress about work (how they will react knowing I'm pregnant, feeling like I'm not picking things up quick enough, anticipating the stress of soon being off orientation & having myself to rely on for deliveries...in general--- being in over my head). I am not sure I want to welcome a baby into my life at a time when I am stressed over work to this extent. It may be possible for me to transfer over to postpartum, although I am not sure if I will like it, as I've had very little exposure to what it's like to be a PP nurse. Would I be missing all the excitement on L&D? Will I ever be able to get back into L&D? Am I blowing my golden opportunity? Has anybody started in L&D and then switched to PP? Would such a switch even be more conducive to my condition? Any feedback would be greatly appreciated...Smiles