RN Orienting to OB/GYN and I need some advice

[RDS7064]

I have been a nurse for 10 years (primarily Pre & Post Op/Recovery Surgery) with a bit of Med Surg some years back.

A Few weeks ago I began orienting in Labor/Delivery for a PRN position on this unit just to pick up some extra hours. (I still work my current position pre/post 3 days a week). I am no where near being finished with orientation to OBGYN but I am seriously starting to question whether this is even a feasible or smart move, to work PRN 1-2 shifts a month in an area I basically am brand new to. In the beginning I didn't give it much thought, I was told they needed some extra help once in a while would I like to train to work this unit.

Now...after a few weeks into OBGYN I am wondering if this is safe or smart to even continue. I think it may be a struggle to only work 1-2 shifts per month without having a good solid background, in order to provide safe care. If things go smoothly I think it would not be an issue. However, seeing that frequently complications arise, am I going to have adequate knowledge and experience with working so little, going off of my limited orientation experience alone?

I think it would be different if I were orienting for a regular part or full time position where I could be more exposed and gain more experience. Or, had I already had years of previous L&D experience then yes, I would not be so cautious about this situation.

Any advice? I just get this strong gut feeling ; am I wrong in thinking this sounds potentially like I may be setting myself up for failure? Do you think it would be extremely hard/unsafe to work 1-2 shifts per month in L&D going on orientation experience alone? For reference... I am orienting for all labor/delivery, as well as Newborn nursery level 2 and post partum.

Thank you so much for reading, I have really been stressing out about this lately as I feel "obligated" to continue orienting here I feel like I would be letting them down, but at the same time can't get passed that uneasy feeling I have.

[Guest296136]

Follow your gut on this one. Many places don't let you work PRN unless you have experience already.

[WhiteScrubs]

Follow your gut. Your intuition in this circumstance is based on years of nursing experience, and a desire for patient safety. Don't second guess that.

If you really want to get into L&D, consider applying for a fulltime position there, and continuing in your previous area PRN, where you feel more confident in your ability to work safely and autonomously.

If you're not quite sold either way, continue orienting and see if things improve as your orientation continues. If it doesn't, don't put patient safety and your license at risk for a few extra shifts of pay.

Just my thoughts--

[NurseNora, BSN, RN]

I can't imagine working 1-2 shifts/month in L&D without a solid background in it. The same with a level 2 new born Nursery. I think you could do post partum care without a lot of time and experience under your belt as your background does prepare you to recognize the the really serious complications that can come up--hemmorhage, pulmonary embolism, and whatever post op problems can happen after a section or gyn surgery. But L&D and Newborn Nursery are too specialized to learn enough in just an orientation period, imho.

Talk to your preceptors and the department director about your concerns and see what they have to say.

[klone, MSN, RN]

To be well-trained in L&D, you need to be fully immersed in it. The facility I trained at, they required a good 3-6 months of orientation, then the new L&D nurses worked *just* L&D for the first 6-12 months after that (rather than working postpartum or nursery, which is something all the nurses are cross-trained to do).