Switching to LD????

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Alright OB friends, I need some advice. I'm currently working as a float nurse in m/b, peds, NICU, and gyn surgery...the facility I work at delivers about 450 babies a month. I've gotten to see quite a few things, it's a great place to improve clinically. I've loved it but I'm finding myself overwhelmed working full time while in grad school.

A hospital I worked at a few years ago (a small community hospital) has offered me a prn position on L&D to help me have less hours while going to school. While this would be a great pace for me (prn) I'm nervous about losing clinical exposure to all the conditions I see at the hospital I currently work at. However, there's no way I could switch to prn there because I don't have enough seniority.

Should I take the position? I've never done labor and delivery before and I'm wondering if anyone has any advice. I'm nervous about stepping into a whole new ballpark, I welcome all thoughts and suggestions!

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What kind of training would you get? How many days a week would you realistically work

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I think a PRN L&D position for someone who has never done L&D is a recipe for disaster and setting you up for failure. To me, PRN means a couple of shifts (maybe 2 or 3) per month. I believe one really needs the repetitive exposure to everything that can happen in order to be a good L&D RN. I work part-time, 2-12s per week, and always felt at a disadvantage compared to the full-timers. I just think one would need a really good solid L&D foundation before being able to take on a PRN status and still do well.

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Agree with the PP. My hospital trains inexperienced new hire L&D RNs (even if you have previous RN experience) for a minimum of 4 months on full time, regardless of your part time/prn/full time status as specified in your actual job. It is a very unique specialty to begin with, but it is also highly litigious. You do NOT want to go into L&D nursing without feeling quite confident in your skills, knowledge and abilities.

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Thank you for the feedback! This particular position requires 3 months of full-time training on L/D (including two weeks of OR circulation...I've already previously trained to do PACU as a M/B RN so I wouldn't have to do that) and then would require a minimum of 6 shifts a month. I would need ACLS-OB and fetal heart monitoring, but I do already have STABLE and NRP. I echo the thoughts that were shared...I would never feel comfortable on my own, but the director of the maternity center seems adamant to have me train L/D and then work in all three units (L/D, M/B and NICU). I mean, the extent of my experiences on Labor & Delivery have been the two hour recoveries, catching babies and watching strips from the NICU. Which is not really Labor & Delivery experience at all. So I'm not sure why the director of maternity services at this hospital is pushing so much for me to do labor. I don't want to lose this opportunity for a job (since there's not very many job opportunities in this area) but like has been mentioned...I totally don't feel like doing labor so infrequently is safe and would rather just do mom/baby and NICU :(

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It's not safe. You have some of the certifications necessary to do L&D, but (no offense) very, very little of the practical skills/knowledge needed. Quite honestly, I'm not sure how they can get away with using you to watch strips if you're not formally trained in EFM. I would be very wary of your director at this point. I don't think she has anyone's best interest in mind based on the scenario you've presented here. I understand your desire to seize opportunity, but some opportunities are just disasters in disguise. Best to let them pass.

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It sounds like they NEED nurses on L/D! You are probably a great worker and they see on opportunity to suck you in. It's so chaotic I would be Leary. But ask some questions on how they staff. Ask if they do 1:1. Ask how they work as a team. If you want the experience it's definitely an opportunity!

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