L&D not for me :(

As much as I love L&D, I do not feel it is right for me. I do not like the fact that it is such a highly litigious area of nursing, potentially critically or permanently hurting a baby, and the stress of a crash/emergency c-sections, etc. But I love bonding with my labor pts, getting cards and thank you's from all the pt's that I worked so hard to deliver vaginally or being there for the scared pt that wasn't expecting a c-section. That is what I love! The bond you create with your patients and the job satisfaction you get from making a real difference in someone's life.

I'm trying to find an area of nursing that will fulfill the love that I have for nursing without the high stress level of an L&D nurse.

Any other areas in the hospital do not interest me...med/surg, ICU, ER, telemetry, ortho, oncology, nicu, etc. I've thought of just doing postpartum (I do that in my position as well, I work in LDRP.) But to be frank, I think I would get bored.

Any suggestions?
Are you a new nurse?Sometimes we have that nervous feeling about having a TON of responsibilities...it can be quite a culture shock.Each part of nursing has it's own liability issues; it's best to know your scope, facility policies; know how to adequately and appropriately document, and of course, carry malpractice insurance-unfortunately we live in a very litigious society, it's best to have someone in YOUR corner if (and I do mean if) anything occurs.

Have you thought about doing well baby home visits and becoming a lactaction consultant? Perhaps a OB/GYN office where you could be part of the process not in the hospital?Or maybe doing childbirth education?

I am a new nurse but I have been in L&D long enough to know it's not right for me (almost 2 years now). I've talked to my fellow co-workers, my cousin who is a doctor, and some other specialty nurses, and ALL of them said not to get my own coverage because I am covered through the hospital. Do nurses typically carry a separate malpractice insurance policy?

Yes I have considered being an IBCLC Lactation Consultant. It is definitely a route I can consider. I have also thought about working at an infertility clinic. I guess there are options for me . I wanted to see if there was some other area of nursing that I haven't considered yet. Some magical, wonderful, non-litigious area of nursing that I didn't know about

Quote from knufflebunnyI am a new nurse but I have been in L&D long enough to know it's not right for me (almost 2 years now). I've talked to my fellow co-workers, my cousin who is a doctor, and some other specialty nurses, and ALL of them said not to get my own coverage because I am covered through the hospital. Do nurses typically carry a separate malpractice insurance policy?

Quote from knufflebunnyI am a new nurse but I have been in L&D long enough to know it's not right for me (almost 2 years now). I've talked to my fellow co-workers, my cousin who is a doctor, and some other specialty nurses, and ALL of them said not to get my own coverage because I am covered through the hospital. Do nurses typically carry a separate malpractice insurance policy?

UGH! I can't believe I haven't gotten it yet! I literally asked everyone I knew about insurance because I was so nervous about being in such a litigious area of nursing. Not ONE said to get it. I will get coverage immediately! Does that mean the first 2 years I've been in L&D I won't be covered now. Well I guess better that I got it now than never! Thank you so much for this advice! I guess this has been the best advice on here yet rather than just figuring out my path in nursing!! Thank you!!

Quote from knufflebunnyUGH! I can't believe I haven't gotten it yet! I literally asked everyone I knew about insurance because I was so nervous about being in such a litigious area of nursing. Not ONE said to get it. I will get coverage immediately! Does that mean the first 2 years I've been in L&D I won't be covered now. Well I guess better that I got it now than never! Thank you so much for this advice! I guess this has been the best advice on here yet rather than just figuring out my path in nursing!! Thank you!!

I thought L&D was where I would land and stay but after 7 years, I decided to leave. For all the reasons you stated. At the same time I was working ER as well. (Small rural hospital). I made the decision to back off on working so much and spend more time with my kids so I work part-time in hospice and as a school district nurse. It pays the bills and I get insurance. Of course, I've been a nurse for 17 years now so I'm more than ready for slowing down. And yes, get liability insurance. I'm a bit shocked that someone told you not to get insurance. Yeah, the hospital has insurance to cover you in case of a lawsuit BUT they will cover their own tushes first.

Quote from knufflebunny I wanted to see if there was some other area of nursing that I haven't considered yet. Some magical, wonderful, non-litigious area of nursing that I didn't know about

I'm happy to report that I got insurance today and covered to the max amount!

​If you like making connections with your patients, feeling appreciated, etc., I'd suggest giving hospice a try. You're with patients and families at a critical time in their lives, and you provide care that is desperately needed. I've never regretted my time as a hospice nurse.