torn between two loves! your opinion:

CaLLaCoDe, BSN, RN · Jun 29, 2008

Go to NICU!

I look and I see all signs point that way. I know of very few bored NICU nurses, the learning curve is pretty steep.

Trust yourself, you know what's best for you.

CEG · Jun 30, 2008

I'm coming from a doula background to nursing as well. I would recommend staying away from L & D. The reason is because what goes on there does not go hand-in-hand with doula ideals- not just use of meds, but informed consent, having the patient's best interest in mind, etc. I work in LDRP and for the most part I enjoy my postpartum time but I do not enjoy the labor part as much because I hate being required to impose non-evidence based practices and petty hospital rules on moms. I am also studying to be a CNM and I think even though the practice environment is much the same, having the autonomy to set my own practice standards will keep me from going crazy. Just my thought, other people may love it with the doula background. I like PP, I get to help moms breastfeed, bond with their babies, and get to know people. Good luck whatever you decide to do.

Itshamrtym · Jun 30, 2008

Hello:

Our NICU nurses go to L&D to help with every c-section and for babies that are premature (duh). So you would get some experience. Not much though. YOU could stay in NICU for 1 year and then transfer to L&D. Or, perhaps you would love NICU so much that you stay there...

Good luck to you!!!!! Take care.

zahryia, LPN · Jul 1, 2008

Hi OB nurses and everyone else -
I'm a student graduating in December... My desire has always been to go into OB nursing (as in labor and delivery). I've been a birth doula for 2 years, and had an amazing time in our pp clinicals last spring. Discussing current issues and aspects of maternity care gets me excited! I'm currently doing a nursing internship this summer in oncology/med-surg (which is seeming perfect so far to round out my education in general!). Over the last couple months, between clinicals and a alternative experience day in my internship, i've gotten to spend a couple days in the NICU. I was absolutely enchanted... got me to thinking that maybe my whole fascination with labor and delivery is about the baby!
I am feeling so torn right now between my two loves in nursing. I love the hospital I'm interning at and want to stay there. However, they don't hire new grads into L and D. I'm wondering if maybe I should try to start in the NICU (they take new grads) in order to gain some time and experience. I could then choose to transfer to OB, or if I wanted to, I could stay in the NICU forever!
So my question is - is NICU experience any good if you end up transferring to L and D? Would it be way smarter for me to start in the PP unit? I just kind of want to give NICU nursing a chance....
What do I like about L and D? The action, the autonomy, the changes going on in maternity care, getting to be one of the first people on earth to see a brand new baby! I'm a high achiever in school and I love that this field would be a total challenge for me. What I'm worried about is that I would miss being able to form relationships with patients, that I would get exhausted by the physical demands, that I wouldn't be doing as much baby care as I'd like....
What I like about NICU is getting to spend so much time with babies - honestly I love giving bottles, changing diapers and all those little things. I'm the oldest of 7 and the happiest years of my life where when my siblings were babies. I like the acuity that I'd need to deal with, the details I'd have to know... I like that I'd have the chance to build relationships with families when their baby stays a long time in the NICU. I like that I'd be doing lots of education with parents and helping them get involved in their baby's care. I'm afraid that it would eventually get boring - that there wouldn't be enough action...that it would be difficult to have babies that couldn't be handled much....that I wouldn't be getting good experience if I ended up transferring to OB.
What do you think? sorry this was sooooo long!

Wow. You sound exactly like me. I struggled between wanting to be a CNM or NNP.

I ended up with an L&D position (as a new grad position). I haven't eveb started yet, but I'm already planning my escape route to pp and/or ante. I finally decided on the CNM track and mistakenly thought that being an L&D nurse would be an asset.

I think you should start in either PP or NICU. Either unit will work well for you.

Jolie, BSN · Jul 1, 2008

I agree that either mother-baby or NICU wuld serve you well in your ultimate goal of working in L&D.

I also think it is wise to seek employment in a hospital where you have some experience and are aware of working conditions, staffing issues, management styles, etc. So if a NICU position were to be available in an "unknown" hospital, you might be tempted to go for it, but I would caution you to research any other position very thoroughly and make sure that you would be as satisfied there.

Good luck!

mom2michael, MSN, RN, NP · Jul 2, 2008

Pick the facility that is going to help you grow the most as a new nurse. Then pick the job. A facility with a strong background in supporting new nurses, a great preceptor program and a wonderful orientation process is going to give you the foundation you need to grow as a new nurse. Chances are you won't stay with your first job anyway as most of us didn't (or don't) because as you grow as a nurse, your ideas and thoughts change and you begin to see your career with your rose colored glasses off.

Or you may find you love where you start. Really - no one knows in the end.

And if you find that both places are awesome for new nurses, then examine the pros and cons of both jobs. Don't worry so much about experience crossing over - experience = experience in the end.

So, that's my advice for what it's worth. The hospital with the most support is going to guide you where you want to be next in your life.

And the great and wonderful thing about nursing - if you don't like one - then go to the other. :wink2: