slippersocks

So, there's a few things that have happened on my unit (L&D/PP/Nursery) lately that have me feeling that I'm working in an unsafe unit. I follow policy and procedure but at the same time, it's not somewhere I want to stay with things like they are (don't wanna say specifics). I've been thinking of relocating to a new city that has more hospitals and more opportunities. A job I'm looking at is a level IV NICU at a teaching hospital that does incredible clinical research, but all I know is well babies (I work mostly L&D). I'm afraid my nursing knowledge is extremely limited for a level IV NICU. I'm anxiously excited at the thought of working in a NICU like this, but I don't want my resume to look bad either. I did a 6 month stint in med surg and I've been at my current job for almost a year. I've always been afraid to look like a job hopper, so I've been sticking it out. I plan on sticking it out for another month to my year mark then getting a new job, but my gut is telling me that I need to leave my unit because I don't feel safe. Should I explore a new job in a level IV NICU with only well-baby experience or should I work my way up from lower level NICUs?

We do have policies that are designed to promote safety and I follow them. I've had several situations where I just didn't feel safe. I advocate for my patients and their safety. But our staffing situation hasn't changed. We are always hiring new people because people keep leaving, but they still won't staff us appropriately at nights (Charge RNs and management staff at bare minimum). I really don't want to job hop, but I'm thinking of going back to my former company. I left on good terms and I still want to do L&D, just not where I am now. I just wanted to see if this sounded like an unsafe job and not like "the grass is greener on the other side" type of deal.

I found the job of my dreams...a job offer from L&D. I've always loved mother-baby/nursery/L&D, so it was a perfect fit. I left a med-surg job for this job at my six month mark (I had been with the company for a year and a half total). I've been doing L&D for over six months now. I love my patients and what I do, but there are times and things I've observed that I don't feel safe with. Most of our patients go to 40 of Pit. That's common where I work. We're chronically understaffed and the morale is incredibly low with people constantly wanting to leave due to staffing. Which leaves many new, inexperienced nurses because the experienced ones are leaving. At nights, it's even worse. Our unit is a revolving door for triage. ER sees a pregnant person and sends them up. Most of the time, they aren't in labor and get sent home. But it's a constant in and out of patients, in addition to our already assigned patients. Management wants us to start taking charge RN before our one year mark. Many times, people are thrown into the charge role without training. There's so much more and there's more that I can't say. Our unit has told management about these problems and I've spoken up multiple times for patient safety, but our problems just get swept under the rug. I'm desperately trying to make it to at least a year because I don't want to be viewed as a job hopper, but I don't want to jeopardize my license. It's not the specialty I despise, it's the way my unit is being run. I love labor. Really, I do. I love the bond that you get with your patient when you see them from beginning to after delivery. But I don't know how long I can stay in a unit where I feel unsafe and concerns aren't being addressed. Other labor nurses, please let me know what you think!

Thank you! I have the interview next week, so I'm hopeful to finally land my OB job! If it wasn't a better opportunity, then I would certainly stick my year out. But I've always known that if L&D came calling, then I would want to pursue it. I've learned so much on my floor. I'm so grateful for my manager and employer for investing in me, but I know this would be an invaluable opportunity for my future career. I know nurses frequently move around and find their niche, so I know that's not uncommon. I have this innate fear of being labeled a job-hopper and never landing a decent job again. But if I get L&D, I know that I will stay for longer than a year. So my shortest job would be at 5-6 months. I'm gonna read up on OB and prepare to dazzle at that interview!

Hey everyone! I hope I'm posting this in the right forum. I'm a new grad with 5 months of experience on an ortho/med-surg floor. I've been looking for labor and delivery jobs lately and I finally secured an interview at a local hospital! I just wanted some unbiased opinions about how it could affect my professional career if I were to leave my current job at 6 months (by the time I work out a notice, it will be about 6 months). I know I don't have an offer yet and I certainly won't leave my current job until I do, but I have always loved L&D. I wanted to work in L&D before graduating, but I was offered my current job and L&D wasn't hiring. With all of that being said, I feel like I have given ortho a good shot and I have learned so much already about being a nurse. However, L&D positions don't come around too often where I live. I just wanted to hear some feedback from everyone! Thanks!

Thank you all for taking time to reply! yoginurse90, I'm actually in Mississippi! I'm trying to adapt new coping strategies and I've been doing more fun things outside of work! I'm also applying to start my MSN this summer, so I'm trying to look toward the future!

Thank you all so much for taking the time to reply! I really appreciate it! I've been doing more things outside of work with family and friends, but it's still really difficult to go to work. This week has been a rough one, but I have some much-needed off days ahead. I'll try to keep my head up until I can get a better offer.

Thanks for replying! To be honest, I think the issue is the population and acuity of patients. My floor is mostly middle to older adults with many comorbidities. I like ortho, but not med-surg or tele. I've always been more passionate and interested in maternal-child nursing. I took this job because I was already a CNA at this facility and I had worked on this unit before becoming an RN. The benefits and pay are also great. I just don't find my work fulfilling and I'm in a constant state of either anxiety or sadness. I know I won't leave until I have another offer, but I also realize this is not where my future nursing career will be.

Hey fellow nurses, I've been reading through so many threads similar to this one in an attempt to cope better with my job. I'm a new grad (5 months) on an ortho/med surg unit. We take 6 patients at night, which always proves to be a challenge. But for the most part, I've been able to manage care fairly well. For the most part, I really like my facility, coworkers, and nurse manager. But I've been feeling miserable about work for awhile now. I've made every effort to keep coming back to work and learning as much as I can, but it's starting to affect me so much more even at home. I know the first year is the toughest and I've accepted that. But I also know when I've fully committed to something and I have truly given this job my all. I love nursing. I love making a difference for my patients. But this jobs is making me incredibly anxious, even sitting at home on an off day thinking about work (which I also know I shouldn't do). My stomach is always tied in knots, my appetite has diminished, I don't enjoy hanging out with friends as much as I used to because I'm always thinking about how awful my next shift will be. I'm always worried I'll mess up something or lose my license somehow (this is a recurring fear in my mind). I've been looking for a new job and applying for some areas that I've always loved when I was in school and when I was a CNA. I haven't had a call back, but I'm hoping I will get one soon. I just can't keep doing this job. I cry going to work and coming home from work. I was in tears at work because I apparently didn't adequately perform a prepare a patient for a procedure (this was also a very difficult patient and family). One of my coworkers wrapped an arm around me and took me to the report room to tell me that I was fine. She was glad to see I cared about my patients and that it would take me far. I care so much about my patients and I like my coworkers, but I'm seriously miserable. I almost quit on the spot after another rough night a few days ago, but I don't want to ruin my career. I thought I could hang on for a year (hospital transfer policy), but I know that I won't be able to, if it's affecting my personal life away from work this much. I apologize for the long post, but I've been keeping it all bottled inside and I just had to vent. I'm open to any suggestions. Please help a sad new grad out. 😢