RosaleeAnnRN

I can, but the only openings, again, are nights. There are only two options in my city for labor and delivery, so though the other hospital is smaller, it tends to be just as busy. I'm leaning towards transferring out of this department, at least for the time being.

Thank you kj287. I can totally relate to your story! At least the first part (since my kiddo is only 3 months) rings so true. I love my time with her and feel like I don't feel intrigued by my nursing position any longer. It's definitely gone down on my priority list and I HATE that. Juggling the night shift schedule (at least at this point) doesn't help things- I just want to be awake when she's awake to enjoy her and all of her "firsts". My own labor actually when very differently than the majority of labors/births I attend, so that doesn't help my perspective at this point. I'm looking into daytime shifts and less stressful atmospheres currently, I'm crossing my fingers that I'll hear back soon!

Thank you greenerpastures, RN. I inquired about a per diem position with my supervisor and she let me know that our current per diems are only getting about two shifts per month currently. I've actually looked into OB office jobs and have given my resume to two of them. The problem is that they have no openings because they've shifted to MAs for basic vitals and procedures, so they only employ RNs for phone triage positions (it how I understand it anyway, from what I've been told).

Thank you NurseNeLz. That's what I'm thinking, at least a day shift may be easier to tolerate while my kiddo is still so little. I've put in a couple transfer requests for days and am waiting semi-patiently to hear back. Thank you for your similar perspective, it makes me feel like I'm not totally crazy!

While still in nursing school I was offered and accepted what I perceived as my dream job as an RN on labor and delivery. I was so sure I wanted this position that I acquired STABLE and NRP before graduating nursing school, I met with the director of the department and loved our interaction, I was even looking into midwifery schools and planning my course of attack to apply. Now, 15 months later, I'm struggling to muster up the drive to get to work each shift. To provide a little more context, I work 12 hour nights, there is a 6 year wait for a day shift position, and I have a 3 month old. Our unit is the largest in our city with 15 labor rooms, 9 antipartum rooms, and 6 triage beds. We also have 3 ORs I've trained to circulate. Though some shifts move through smoothly, most nights, the moment I return from transferring a patient to postpartum, I have another laboring mom waiting for me. Initially the adrenaline kept these nights from getting to me, but now after a pregnancy, a new baby, and pumping schedule, spending 4 hours in a patient room pushing and not being able to take a lunch (believe me, my team would offer to break me if they could, but under-staffing is also an ongoing issue, as all of us know all too well) is not feeling worth it to me anymore. Has anyone else felt this way? I thought my resolve was so strong, but it only took 15 months for me to feel this kind of burnout. I guess my main concern is that if I do transfer to another unit, even if I can find a day shift position, will this just happen again in it's own unique way? Is the problem my idealistic idea of a perfect nursing position?