Sooooo.... What if I decided to go back? (long)

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Specializes in Labor and Delivery, Operating Room.

Sorry this is so long!

My story: I was a RN in L&D for 13 years and loved it for about 10 or 11 years. I decided to leave when the place just became CRAZY (450 deliveries a month). Because I was an experienced nurse, I pretty much was assigned to take care of the high-risk pregnancies. EVERY DAY, it seemed.:angryfire

I got burned out.

Then I decided to be an OR nurse, and worked in the Vascular OR for 4 years. I got bored doing the same cases everyday, so I went to a great teaching hospital and learned to work in several services in the OR. It was soooo crazy and stressful, 10 nurses quit in the 8 months I was there. I quit because I didn't want to be the last one standing!

Now I work in a little bitty short term care surgical hospital (for the last 6 months) in the OR doing Orthopedics, Bariatrics, and back surgeries.

I have decided that I really HATE OR nursing and really, really, want to do something else.

So, I did something crazy the other day: I applied for a Labor and Delivery position, and the hospital wants to interview me (tomorrow, actually)! I think I'm ready to go back, but I'm kinda scared. How much has changed in the last 5 years?

It turns out that the hospital I applied to is starting an internship, so I bet I'll be able to take the EFM class and recert in NRP.

I really miss taking care of laboring patients, babies the whole bit. I was good at it, too, I have a whole drawer full of thank you cards and letters.

I just don't feel like I make a difference where I am now. All of my patients get good care, but they are asleep.

Am I just crazy, or what? Have I been out of L&D too long?

Thanks for listening!

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Go for it! Your experience will be invaluable, and you'll be the best nurse you can be when doing something you feel passionate about. Good luck!

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I don't think Labor and Delivery has changed for the better, so you would be a real asset. GO FOR IT

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

Come on back, we would love to have you! Good luck to you.

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Specializes in Labor and Delivery, Operating Room.

Daywalker, NJ1GRLCRUS, SmilinBluEyes

You guys are so encouraging! Thanks!

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Specializes in many.

Wellll....?

It's been 5 days and over a long weekend, how did the interview go and are you coming back?

I hope so, we need you.

;)

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Specializes in Labor and Delivery, Operating Room.

Ragingmomster - Sorry, I haven't been here in a couple of days and just saw your note!

I went to the interview, and I think it went alright. The Nurse Educator and Assistant Unit director were nice and seemed interested. Got to tour the unit - it was huge and the LDRs were very nice. Well, I was told, "We'll let you know Tuesday with our decision".

Tuesday and Wednesday came and went and I hadn't heard anything, so I just figured that they didn't want me. I called the recruiter today and asked that since I hadn't heard anything, I wondered if I could have done something more to "sell" myself. She said she had been meaning to call me and say that they had not made any decisions yet and had more interviews to do. She invited me to the Open House on Saturday to meet the nurse manager (who's been out of town)!

I have to admit, I'm excited about getting another chance to meet everyone. They're interviewing new grads for and L&D internship. I wonder how I can compete against them (not to mention, a cheaper starting wage than a nurse with 20+ years experience)? I hope my experience (although dated) will be a selling point.

I really want to be sucessful. Wish me luck!

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