auson16

Hello, I am a new grad, currently practicing FNP, with about 4 years of nursing experience with 3 in L&D. My current job involves caring for women and newborns postpartum in an outpatient setting--not much in depth care, just general assessment, lactation consultation, treating of minor conditions, etc. I am enjoying it, however I am really missing labor and delivery, and have considered a post-master's cert as a CNM. However, I'm nervous about more student debt, and issues with finding a job in my area of SC. Has anyone done this? School suggestions, pros/cons, advice?

Hi all, I'm just seeking some advice from those more experienced than myself! I have been a RN for about two years, and I am about halfway through a part-time MSN-FNP program, although I have not started any clinical courses yet. I am mostly interested in teaching as an instructor, rather than working in a full-time clinical capacity once I finish my degree. So, I find myself asking whether I should switch to a MS in Nursing Education program to specifically focus on what I am interested in (hopefully many of my credits would transfer and it wouldn't be a huge loss)? Or continue with my FNP and all the clinical courses required, eventually obtain my DNP and teach with that? Either way, I hope to teach in some capacity, it's just a matter of deciding the most effective and efficient way to get to that point. Thanks in advance!

No problem!! I still feel like a new grad at times and I've been out of school for over a year. Being a new grad is overwhelming in and of itself, but being a new grad in a specialty is even more overwhelming. Just keep learning and growing from your experiences...even on the days that you go home and cry. They are all making you a stronger, more experienced nurse! You can do it!

Hi! So, just looking for some advice/reassurance! A little background, I worked in a Level 1 Trauma Center ED for my first year as a new grad. I always knew I was interested in women's health, and after my family decided to move, I decided to pursue it, and accepted a L&D job. I have been there now for about 4 months, and have been off orientation and on my own for 3 weeks now. I have really enjoyed it! I love educating mothers and just being part of such a special day for the patients and families that I care for. The most overwhelming part of the job for me is the enormous amount of charting! In the ER, we had nowhere near the amount of mandatory charting, on top of updating their vitals/strips, in most cases every 15-30 mins. How do you stay on top of your charting and make sure that everything has been taken care of and documented after delivery, while trying to manage your recovery and document that as well? I know it is so important, especially in litigious situations, so I want to make sure I'm thorough but it's just so difficult when you're trying to actually take care of your patients. Does anyone have any helpful resources, specifically on L&D documentation, or just documentation in general? Also, I'm a worrier. I have the tendency to go home and ruminate over any mistakes I made or could have made, or things I forgot to chart, etc. How do you deal with mistakes and allow yourself to learn from them and then leave them at work, instead of worrying over it at home? All nursing involves huge levels of responsibility, but labor and delivery just feels so intense! At what point did you begin to feel confident, fully competent, and able to stop questioning everything?

Hi! I recently switched from the ER to L&D, although I didn't have as much experience as you do (I was a new grad in the ER for a year). I'm sure you would do great! Labor and Delivery reminds me of the ER at times, although obviously much more specialized, which I personally like. I would review meds frequently given antepartum, during labor, and post-partum. I would also brush up on all the terminology--labor and delivery has a language of its own with lots of acronyms that I wasn't familiar with. Another thing to study is emergencies that can happen during labor and delivery. The thing that has been the most difficult for me, transitioning to L&D has been the enormous amount of charting. I'm not sure how your current facility does things, or what charting system they use, but to me the charting felt like an extreme amount more in labor and delivery. I did talk to some current labor and delivery nurses and tried to network a little bit, however mostly just applied to openings within the area. There are a lot of differences, but I have loved it so far and would totally recommend making the switch if you're passionate about it!

Hello! I have a job offer on my hands and just want to get some insight on what others would think/do in this situation. I interviewed about 3 weeks ago on the labor and delivery unit in the city that I'm about to move. I currently have a year of ER experience, this new hospital job would cut my commute from 45 min to 15 min after we move. The position I interviewed for was for day shift, and I've been on night shift thus far and it's really taking a toll on my family and I so I would love to have a day shift position. The manager told me I would hear from her in a week, two weeks later she called and said one day shift spot had been filled but she has another that may be available. She calls me again and says a current staff member is considering coming to days and if this staff member does not come to day shift, then I could be offered the second day shift position that interviewed for and that she will call and let me know what she decides. The manager calls me today, three weeks after the interview and says she's hired someone else with L&D experience for the day shift spot and I could come on to night shift or PRN. I am interested in labor and delivery, and really would like day shift, but more than anything just feeling a little frustrated by the process. What do you guys think about the whole situation and what would you do? Just looking for another perspective! Thanks! :)

Hello! I'm a new nurse, I took a job in a level 1 trauma center out of school and have been there for 9 months. Due to job changes for my husband, we will be moving an hour away, and I've been offered a position in labor and delivery at another hospital. One of the main reasons that I'm considering getting out of the ER is because of the interactions that frequently happen between patients and nurses there. You don't have time to really form a bond with patients that you do enjoy taking care of, and you are being yelled at on a regular basis by other patients for reasons often beyond the nurse's control. So, labor and delivery nurses, how are your relationships and interactions with most of your patients and families? Obviously when dealing with patients in any area, you will have issues, unsatisfied patients/families, and people who are just rude and disrespectful. However, do you generally have positive interactions and experiences with your patients, is it a mixed bag, or do you frequently have patients who are angry or rude?

Hello everyone, I'm a new graduate and have been a nurse in the Emergency Department for about 8 months. I have enjoyed it but Im considering other options after my year there is complete. I've always been drawn to labor and delivery, but at this point I feel like I've lost the little textbook knowledge I had and would truly be starting from scratch. Has anyone transitioned smoothly from the ER setting to Labor and delivery? If not, what was your experience? Do you personally recommend it? Thanks! :)

Hi everyone! I just had a quick question for those who may be in manager, supervisor, or just seasoned nurses who have experience with hiring. How long do you recommend that a new graduate stay in the position that they start in before changing or specializing in another department? In other words, what is the recommended length of employment on a specific unit/hospital that does not come across as unprofessional, or for lack of better terms, "flaky"? Would you count time on orientation toward that cumulative length of employment? Thanks!

Hi guys! I'm a new graduate nurse in a level 1 trauma center ED. I'm just asking for learning purposes, what do you guys say to extremely disrespectful and even verbally abusive patients? I'm not referring to altered mental status patients, psychotic patients or anyone of that nature. I mean those who are aware of what they're doing and saying, and are intentionally malicious. I can deal with rude patients, but it's the nasty and mean ones that I'm not sure the best approach. For example, I was with my preceptor the other night. We had a mean older man who while we were in his room, getting him changed, repositioning, etc. was just hurling insults and verbal abuse at us from the time we walked in the room. My preceptor didn't say anything about his behavior, just continued doing what she was doing and trying to meet his requests. What do you guys do in this type of situation, when it isn't a situation that warrants calling security, but you feel extremely disrespected ? Thanks!

Hi! Thank you so much for these thoughts. It means a lot that you took the time to share! I'm sure things will get better over time, it's just tough to see beyond right now!

Ruby Vee, Thank you so much for the thoughtful response! It is so encouraging to me. It sounds like we were/are in similar situations. I just got married two months ago and while my husband works, my income is primary right now. Great insight to work on finding aspects of my co-workers that I like, I will do that. I just wish I could feel fully competent immediately since I will be taking care of patients on my own, but i know it'll just take time. Thanks again for the encouragement, your response was truly helpful! Any advice on dealing with those who are critical and harsh while I'm still learning? Obviously constructive criticism is good, it's just the mean/hurtful approach that I struggle with.

Hi guys, I am a new grad in a level 1 trauma center ED. I don't think I quite knew what I was getting into when I started, although I did a senior year internship there. I know that new grads in the ER can be controversial but I'm already here, and just trying to do the best that I can. It's pretty understaffed, and a lot of the staff are cliquey, and seem to gossip/judge one another often. It's a pretty hostile environment. This ER hires new graduates frequently and gives a solid 20 week orientation, which I only have a few weeks left of. I enjoy the variety of patients that we see, and I feel like I'm learning a lot. However, I still feel unprepared to be on my own. Like last night my preceptor and my patient load included 2 ICU holds for the entire night, along with 3 other patients. I can't imagine what I would do if I had been on my own. I just feel kind of nervous and like I can't truly trust my co-workers (after hearing the way they talk about each other and other new people). I guess I'm just asking if this is typical of ERs everywhere and if many new nurses go through this experience at first? Any advice? I just feel like maybe I don't have the personality for this type of environment. Just looking for support!

That's great! Congratulations!

Hi! I tried to PM you but it said something about your storage being full. I was recently accepted to the FNP program at USC! I wanted to ask you, if you don't mind, about how your classes are formatted and how you get most of your grades? What has been your most challenging class? Any other advice? Thanks!:)