pierand

Thank you so much for all the info. As I continue to explore this option for our hospital, I am coming to realize that while everyone would love the benefits of a closed unit, no one wants to deal with the necessary evils, if you will! All four of our units would have to pull call, and that seems to be the deal breaker. Maybe if we keep investigating all the options we will find one that works!

Thank you so much for your input! You sound similar in size and volume to us, so I now know it's doable. We are looking to close our L&D, PP, Nursery, and Peds units. The only problem I am encountering is that some don't want to pull a mandatory call day, like you mentioned you guys do. Do you mind telling me what state you work in? Thanks again!!

I could have written your post 6 years ago when I started in OB after only 5 months in nursing. It's a tough field, but very rewarding. I know you said that management is not on your side, but could you ask to have another preceptor? The basics are what will save your butt time and again, while the other stuff, like planning, will come with experience. As far as your co-workers laughing at you, try not to take it too personally. They were all in your shoes once. I have also realized that unfortunately, we nurses tend to "eat our young", instead of fostering and teaching. Maybe it's due to jealousy or insecurity, but take heart that it happens everywhere, not just there. If this is where your passion lies, hang in there, become a little more assertive, and talk to your co-workers. Ask all of them if you can check their patients and compare notes. Everything you are learning just takes time and practice, practice, practice. Good luck!!

Hello all! My hospital is currently considering letting our women's health unit (L&D, PP, Nursery, and Peds) work as a closed, or self-contained unit. I have been appointed task leader for this group and am trying to find some evidence based research on the topic. As some of you may know, L&D is a very specialized unit that doesn't usually benefit from floating nurses in to help. We already have to rely on our own employees when it comes to staff shortage, but the hospital is more than willing to float us out to help on other units, often times creating a real crunch on 2 units if the L&D unit becomes very busy and the nurse has to be pulled back. I would like to hear from anyone who has worked in a closed unit and whether or not you felt that led to higher employee satisfaction (which we all know leads to higher patient satisfaction). Thank you!