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Discussion

Should I leave??

Help!

Okay, here is my problem. I have been working as a new nurse in L&D for a few months..I hate it! I feel so overwhelmed! I feel like I would be better suited to the mother/baby unit. I agree with people who say that L&D is like critical care...which is not a place I ever wanted to be. The people I work with are nice, the hospital is nice, which is why I feel bad for wanting to leave. The units is busy which I like, but I feel like it's just too much for me. We deal with some serious high risk maternity issues. My preceptor seems to think I'm doing great...and the other nurses are encouraging..and also tell me how good I'm doing. No matter what they say, my heart just isn't in it. When I go to the mother/baby unit, they are busy, but it's just seems so much more low key. I thought it was just new nurse issues, which I know has something to so with it. I also know it has something to with the floor, because the turnover rate is extremely high. Even experienced L&D nurses who come from other places say it is crazy on this floor. There are a few other orientees who feel the same way I feel and are actively for jobs. Okay, here is the question. I have only been there 3 months, coming off orientation next week. Should I give it 3 more months so it can look better on my resume or should I leave now?? Also I don't think they would take kindly to me transferring to another floor so soon. Any advice is greatly appreciated!

Featured Replies

:rolleyes: student too, boy do i know l&d, i feel like being new in l&d you should get at least 6 months orientation and have a preceptor for at least one year. difficult area to work things can crash and burn so fast. where i use to work at you were not given anything too difficult no mec, amnio's, twins. mag, ptl, or you were gradually given harder assignments. no more than 1 active pt and maybe one c only continuous efm. i hope you have central monitoring stick it out if you like it and if you are not ready then ask for more time remember it is your license and a parent can sue for 18 yrs and the child 21 if something happens. i did l&d for over 10yrs and i was always learning something new. i work in public health now c high risk maternity and it is nice being able to go home and not worry. good luck and stick to your guns!!!!:bow::bow:

lisa p

It's time for a heart to heart with your manager and educator. Explain to them that you are not ready for L&D yet. Explain you are willing to come off orientation and work in M/B. Perhaps devise a plan that allows you to work 2-3 precepted shifts per schedule on the L&D side and the rest are un-precepted on the M/B side. Now is the time to stand up for yourself though and if you aren't ready, you aren't ready.

L&D orientation really needs to be a fine balance. Starting off in M/B and gradually working over to L&D tends to provide any nurse (experienced or new to that area) a gradual way to work their way up to more complicated patients.

  • Experts

I agree with the previous poster. Try to get on the M/B unit. But realize that you are taking a risk by telling your manager that you feel you are not ready. This may or may not be held against you and right now you have no way of knowing how this will play out. If you can't bring yourself to have this talk with them, then try to stick it out to the six month mark at least. Don't know how plentiful jobs are in your area. You don't want to shoot yourself in the foot by leaving this position too soon. Also remember that you might change areas or jobs, but that you might be going to a new arena with the same dynamics that you are leaving. There are no guarantees when it comes to looking for the pasture with the greener grass. Hope you make the decision that is best for you and your new career.

  • Author

caliotter,

Thanks for responding. Your reply actually made me take pause. I'm so used to reading replies telling people to leave if they are not happy. I don't necessarily think the grass is greener in mother/baby, but I do think that I would be happier. It's not the people, or the hospital I dont like, they have been wonderful! This is one of the reasons I hesitate to leave. I just simply think L&D is not for me. More than likely, I'll wait it out 6 months and see if I grow to love it. There is "stuff" to deal with at every job, so it's not about that for me. It's about being happy.

Thanks again for the advice.

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