Which job would you take? LDR or Postpartum/GYN

[LDR-RN]

Hello to all,

Just asking everyone's opinion that works OB out there. Right now I work postpartum and GYN. I am a newer nurse, and somehow I landed a days position. I love my co-workers and my job. I have always wanted to work in labor and delivery though. I have worked a few shifts in LDR and love it. Now, at my hospital there is a night position in LDR. I feel like I want to go for it; this is always the area that I have wanted to work in. My friends think I'm crazy to give up a day position in a job that I really like. I'm married with no children yet. Would you guys give up a day position in a job you really like for a night position in a job that you have always wanted? The more I think about it the more I am telling myself to go for it. I'm thinking higher stress, but more satisfaction. Let me know what you guys think and where you work and why you love it.

Thanks for your replies

[keithjones]

if you have never worked nocs take a look at the threads where people cant sleep, have insomnia, anxiety, etc. as a result of going to nights. some people adjust quickly, others take a while, and others never do! in general if you are a night owl and stay up till 1am or later when you don't have to work then you should do fine. If you have to be in bed by 9pm or you are useless the next day, you will likely have a horrible time adjusting and may not be able to hack it. Ask if you can take a week on nocs in your current position and see how it goes. If nights arent a problem for you then go for it.

[dscrn]

What does your husband think about you working nights? Not that it's a deciding factor...I think that the abouve mention of working a week of nights, before you "take the plunge" is a good one, if you are able to

[denimar86]

go for what you want. you'll never know when you get another opportunity. make the sacrifice of working nights now and eventually you will get the shift you want. if u dont go for it how will you ever be able to be trained as an LD nurse. goodluck!!!

[Stacy in North Texas]

I'd say go for it. L&D is great experience to have. I worked L&D, nights, right out of nursing school (after a 3 month orientation on days). I must admit I had a hard time adjusting to nights and after 5 months I jumped at the chance to take a 3-11 position. Taking the nights position doesn't mean you have to do it forever. Who knows, you might even like working nights. Best wishes to you!

[RNBelle]

I have always worked nights. Can't seem to work anything else than that. L&D is great experience. I worked PP first out of school. My fav is PP and GYN but they only have L&D available where I am at. The experience I have gotten has been amazing. I now know how to really manage my PP and antepartum patients properly.

[LDR-RN]

UPDATE:

I took the job. I can't wait to get started. Now I need to start looking for threads on here for tips as a new nurse in LDR. Be a sponge (that's what I always think) ha ha!

Thanks everyone for replying

[FLAlleycat]

UPDATE:

I took the job. I can't wait to get started. Now I need to start looking for threads on here for tips as a new nurse in LDR. Be a sponge (that's what I always think) ha ha!

Thanks everyone for replying

Good for you! I've worked both areas but absolutely LOVE L&D! I can be a bit stressful at first as you may tend to think everything is the worst case scenario; however, if you have a good preceptor and long orientation, it easies the stress significantly! Everyone on our unit also is ready to help anyone out if possible. As for night shifts . . . I think that does depend on the person. I work as a nurse practitioner for years 8-5 until I had to move to care for Mom. Then I grabbed a job as night L&D and love the shift! I would never go to days, but then again, I always stayed up until 1-2 am when I worked as a practitioner. I find the best schedule is to work three consecutive nights.