RNs-Doctors, Mother/Baby Vs. L&D, and other Questions

crysobrn · Aug 2, 2007

I just thought I'd give you a little insight from my point of view as far as the working in hospitals as opposed to an office. In the area that I work in the pay is MUCH less in an office. I'm talking less than half of what I make at the hospital. Plus I like to get to spend time with women when they deliver and actually start their journey of parenting. I love to help women thru labor, to provide help with breastfeeding, educate regarding baby care if needed etc... I like to say that the best part of my job is "watching people become parents"

I personally work the night shift most of the time. The reason that I like it is because I can sleep during the day and be up by the time my kids are home from school. We work 12s so if I worked days I'd only see them one hour before it's bedtime. I like both days and nights at work, there are different things that I like about each shift. On our unit we do L&D, PP, nursery, antepartum etc so we do it all.

As far as working with docs there certainly are moments when I wish things were better but for the most part we are all respected... We are the eyes and ears of our docs as they are home sleeping or at the office etc. They count on us to get a complete assessment and relay that to them so they can make decision of care based upon that.

Good luck with your journey.

HopefulMichelle · Aug 2, 2007

Thank you for taking the time to reply. I figured that the pay would be significantly different in the office vs hospital. I really thought the same thing regarding nights and the kids. The problem is (which I am really concerned about when I get out of school) is that my husband has nights that he works late since he is a business/finance manager at a car dealership. I am sure it will all work out somehow. I really would prefer the hospital environment I think. I just assume (since i don't really know yet) that it would be more hands on and you would feel more involved.

Michelle

rn/writer, RN · Aug 2, 2007

I think I have your ideal job. I work nights on a postpartum unit. It can be busy, but there isn't all of the "traffic" that days and PMs have to deal with. And there are many opportunities for teaching and breastfeeding support.

As far as docs go, I work in a teaching hospital so we see residents and med students more often than the attendings on nights. It's great, though. We always have someone we can call if things get hairy. That goes for mom or baby. We have a Level III NICU with at least one neonate available 24/7.

The new trend is for docs to be taught that they are a part of a team and owe their fellow team members courtesy and respect. I have been at this hospital for more than two years and have never seen a doc yell at a nurse. If something like that did happen, I'm sure that there would be consequences. After hearing horror stories about ragaholic docs in other settings, I feel very blessed that my hospital does not allow this kind of behavior.

Nights is really a great shift. Some people can't tolerate it physically, but if you can, you'll find it easier to get and keep a job. Traditionally, night shift workers have better camaraderie, more time to spend with their patients (although it can get quite busy), and less involvement in "office politics." All this and you usually get a nice shift differential besides.

It's good that you're thinking these things through ahead of time. Shows that you're trying to be realistic in developing your plan.

Keep in touch.

HopefulMichelle · Aug 2, 2007

Miranda,

Thank you for your insight and taking the time to reply. I really think once I adjusted that I would really enjoy working nights. I know it would take some time since I am accustomed to 7:30-4 (I like to come in early so I can get some things done before the rest of the office trickles in, hehe). If I get accepted into nursing school my youngest would be 5 when I finished. That would make things a bit easier.

I am trying to be realistic about everything. I know that not everything is going to be all smiles and excitement all the time. I realize that there will be moms with problems and you will be dealing with all kinds of different people but I am hoping that my time spent in social services will help me in some areas of nursing. I just want to go into nursing for the right reasons. My interest in OB is definitely a real interest in the Pregnancy/Postpartum/Women's Health aspect. I know I have heard some people wanting to go into it because they think it is all sweet to have babies. Of course that is sweet but there is a goal to all of this. I would just want to be knowledgeable, compassionate, and helpful. I wouldn't want anyone to walk away feeling like that I wasn't a good nurse or that I didn't know what I was doing. I just know with OB there is so much to learn. I hope I can do it. I take it very seriously.....I am a worry wart, can't you tell?

It is funny you mention office politics....I guess that is anywhere. You would think in social services that you wouldn't see it as much but you do. I am a supervisor and I always reiterate to my staff that if you can't address the problem where it lies then it isn't worth talking about. I HATE that kind of thing. I know people need to vent but if it is a true problem I am definitely solution oriented. I try to steer clear of gossip for the most part and I am no instigator. I like low drama. I am sure there is drama everywhere but I just focus on my job.

I am very excited about applying for school. I really hope I get in. I made good grades so I am hoping that will help. I actually only have to pick up one non nursing class. I hope that I can take it in the spring since it is Microbiology.

Michelle

rn/writer, RN · Aug 2, 2007

I worked psych for years, and, believe me, I use it often on the job. Social Services background would also be a plus. Many of my patients have S/S referrals--underage, domestic abuse, extreme poverty, substance abuse issues, you know the drill. We nurses can make referrals, and I don't hesitate if I think it can help.

Some new grads go straight into L&D. I know a few who were successful in doing that, but they were either single or married with no kids. It's a tough way to break into nursing. PP isn't a walk in the park, but it's a bit less physical, and a lot less pressure. Not necessarily less work, but it isn't as tense.

I really thought I wanted L&D when I applied at my current place. I was disappointed when all the L&D openings were filled and the only thing left was PP. Thought I'd get a foot in the door at the hospital and make the change after a decent interval. Hah! Postpartum is where I was meant to be. Positions have opened up in L&D and I haven't given them a moment's notice. That job is much more intense, and so many things can go wrong at a moment's notice. Some people thrive on that kind of excitement. I'm not one of them. I like spending time helping a new mom learn the best ways to hold her breastfeeding baby or teaching a dad how to swaddle his newborn. Much of what I do falls under the heading of encouraging. I like having the same family two days in a row. They show me pictures of their other kids and talk about their plans for when they go home. I'm a more laid-back kind of person, so PP suits me well.

Have you applied for school yet? ADN or BSN? I hope your schooling goes quickly. You might change your mind all over again when you do clinicals. That's what's so nice about nursing. You have a giant menu to choose from.

HopefulMichelle · Aug 2, 2007

Miranda,

I am keeping an open mind about it all but as fascinated as I am with women's health, pregnancy and postpartum I will be shocked if I find another area that I love more. It could happen though! Your job sounds like a dream job to me. I know that it isn't all roses but it sure sounds like something I would love.

I will be going for an ADN. There is a program that will enable me to keep my full time job and get my degree through a delayed progression program. I will go one night per week and then do clinicals on one night or one Saturday per week. I am hoping to pay my way through without taking out any kind of loan. If I am accepted then I will start May 2008 and finish Summer Semester of 2010. I haven't applied yet but I have met with admissions. All I need to do is take a Compass Reading Test to get the score before I turn in my application. The deadline is March 1 so I have a bit of time. I am nervous...I am so excited about it and if I don't get accepted I will be bummed I must admit.

Thanks for your feedback. It sounds like you have found your nitch! What would you say is the worst part of what you do? I love to hear the pros and cons of everything...I know there are some things are aren't so good about the job in anything that you do.

Michelle

mer_RN · Aug 2, 2007

I worked in postpartum for 4 years when i got out of school and am now making the jump to L&D. PP was a good place for me to start because I am someone who likes to start "slow" and work my way up. But don't think PP is slow, at least not where I worked. The pt. turnover is so fast, usually 24 hours, it is just a lot of work admitting and discharging. I never realized when I was in school just how "sick" the pts. can be. In 4 years I have encountered PP hemmorhage (all PP nurses preferred emergency over all others), seizures, active TB, stroke (pt. still in nursing home), postpartum cardiomyapathy, heart attack (totally out of nowhere, i still worry about seeing that pts name come up on the labor room census again, she was advised not ot have anymore kids), PE (ending in death), Amniotic fluid embolism (died)...all of those have happened to my patients and then of course the patients with pre-existing medical problems-paraplegics, strange clotting problems, and of course all the ridiculous social and emotional problems people have today.

It is a LOT of work and responsibility and a lot of pts are totally ungrateful but then you have those first time parents that are so thankful for evererything they make up for all the others and make it all worth it.

As for the doctors, don't worry about them yelling at you, it doesn't matter what is best for the doctor or for you, it is about what is best for the pt.

HopefulMichelle · Aug 2, 2007

Wow....that does sound very fast paced. I know there will be so many different things come up that I am not even anticipating (or know to anticipate at this point since I haven't entered nursing school). I love hearing all of your feedback though. This is so helpful to give me a better picture of this area of nursing. Thanks so much for taking the time to reply to me! It still sounds like something I am so very interested in.

Michelle

futurecnm · Aug 2, 2007

I am an AD student, one year left yay! I, too, went into nursing after having my 2 kids and thinking I wanted to do OB, possibly CNM one day. However, after my first year I have SO many other interests that I no longer know what type of nursing I want to go into! I think many many people go into nursing wanting to do OB/PP/women's health etc. I'd say a majority of my class wanted to do this at first. Granted, many will probably still want to at graduation but a larger percentage do change their mind. I am keeping an open mind about what i want to do. I know around here it is pretty hard to get hired as a new grad in OB/PP. Most hospitals like their new grads to start out in med/surg or some type of general floor (ortho etc). It is easier to transfer with some experience. I am really interested in the education aspect (breastfeeding,etc) but no longer feel that this is the only area of nursing I would be a good fit for. I am a bit of an adrenaline person and sometimes feel I'd like ER or something more like that. I really don't know. So, good luck with your studies. It is the most challenging thing I've ever done but also the most rewarding.

Brandi8 · Aug 3, 2007

Hi,

I am just now starting pre reqs but should be able to apply for nursing school in about a year and half. I to have 2 kids. ages 2 and 5. I am really nervous about going back to school and having a family. I worry I wont have time for them and that school will consume my every moment. I dont think the pre reqs will be that bad but the actual nursing part may be. My youngest will either almost be in kindergarten or just getting ready to start kindergarten by the time I start the nursing part. So that will be good.

I dont know how people do it with young kids not in school yet. I will be taking my pre reqs kinda slow. No more than 2 to 3 classes at a time. I already have 2 of the classes.

How was taking A&P with young kids? Its got to be hard.

I also want pp or L&D. I would also like NICU. I think though I would like to start in PP. It sounds like exactly what I am looking for. I may end up changing my mind as well. Who knows.

I am just really nervous about school having kids. Can I do it? Will it be to much for me and my family to handle? Am I smart enough? Those kinds of things.

I really really wish there were a program where I lived that you can go part time like your doing. What program is that? That would be great but I have not heard of any of the programs around me offering that.

Good luck with school and let me know how it goes. Feel free to pm me.

Brandi

MissMonica · Aug 3, 2007

I work in a major hospital in my area in two different departments; mother/baby unit and the med/surg unit. I chose to do this because I have previously worked full time in both types of units and found I got burnt out after a while on each for different reasons. With postpartum, I get tired of HEALTHY people complaining about sore nipples when someone upstairs is literally on their last breath with terminal cancer, COPD, etc.....and I end up working in the nursery often enough and it is exhausting listening to crying for 12+ hours straight. Plus, I dont feel mother/baby is very challenging as far as skills-wise. I do the same thing and answer the same questions over and over. The only good thing is you become very proficient since it is a specialty and you can probably become RNC (certified) easily.

On med/surg I get burnt out after a while because, quite frankly, sick people are miserable and their families are even worse. Truth be told, the families bother me more because they can be so demanding and tend to be hostile at times, as though we are the enemy, because they are helpless while their loved one is ill. You work SO HARD and after keeping someone clean, pain managed, safe, medicated, etc. the family shows up and starts complaining because the tissue box is almost empty! You wouldnt believe the silly crap people try to make an issue out of. The doctors are less friendly, I have found, too, on med/surg units.

Ok, now those were the "cons" for me. The reason I stay in nursing despite the above mentioned issues is because most days are ok, you work hard but you see the results as you help people day after day; you do get some thank yous and (if your hospital is worth its salt) occasional recognition from management. There are countless oportunities and variety in scheduling and although you are busy, your day goes FAST! I also like that I have a solid career and make decent money.

My truly best wishes to you!!! :nurse: