WHY I QUIT BEDSIDE NURSING & MY NEW L&D NURSING JOB (plus life updates-i got married)
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- Опубліковано 11 вер 2024
- Welcome to my channel! I am Cait, I am a registered nurse in New Jersey sharing my journey throughout my career and also my life in general. I am a Operating Room RN, and in MSN FNP school to become an aesthetic NP in the future! I love to travel, spend time with my family and cats, and I'm passionate about hair, skin, and makeup. I am also getting married very soon and plan on sharing marriage/family content eventually! Please subscribe if you enjoy my videos. Thank you in advance for the support :)
📱 F O L L O W M E 📱
INSTAGRAM | / nurse.caitd
TIK TOK | / cait_hawkins
I thought I was treated differently because I was a black nurse. Wow, I went through the same experience. Sorry about your experience. God will open other doors for you. 🎉
Hi, I'm so sorry to hear about your experience too. Thanks for sharing it on here!! Doors will open for you too :)
Yup, here we go with black people always wanting to play the victim!!
Glad you realized it wasn’t for you. I actually left the OR and went with my gut to try mental health and I’m loving it !
This is amazing to hear daritrinidad!! Always follow your gut, it will lead you down the right path. So glad you're loving mental health!!
I’m glad you left that job because like you said, your mental health is way more important. I worked a toxic job and stuck with it for some months but it ended messing up with my mental health. I eventually had to quit and I regretted not quitting earlier.
Hi!! Thank you so much I couldn't agree anymore!! Glad you also left. Mental health always comes first!
Good for you girl! I’m so glad you were able to speak up and advocate for yourself, and also for the people who would be coming in behind you that may really truly LOVE Labor and Delivery and want to be there without having to sit in a toxic mess!
I personally haven’t had to deal with a toxic workplace like that, but watching videos like these definitely makes me feel so empowered to not take no mess and speak up/get up out of there if need be!
ALSO congrats on getting Married!!!🥳 I hope your Wedding turns out just as wonderful as you could imagine🌞
Hi nurselifewhit- thank you so much, I appreciate your kindness. Yes it was truly a rough toxic situation and I am hopeful the next group of orientee's didn't have to go through what my group did. Always recognize your worth, and I agree get out of there if it's toxic because mental health is so much more important!! xo
Thank you so much!! It was AMAZING. best day ever!!
I found your channel bc I was interested in being an OR nurse. Currently a new grad & have been working in a SNF for 4 months. Quickly learning beside isn’t for me. I interviewed & got a circulator position at a local hospital!
I’m glad you put this video out here & spoke up. This is a tough job & I think every new grad or even seasoned nurse switching units or specialties wants to learn how to be a good nurse & to have positive work relationships. That behavior isn’t conducive to a safe, healthy, & positive work environment. Unfortunately, I have heard specifically L& D units are toxic. Congratulations on your new job, your schooling, marriage, & the future! You’re definitely a nurse who other nurse’s would love to have as a mentor!
Hi Melle! I'm so happy that you followed your heart and got into the OR! That's amazing and I wish you the best of luck! How do you like it so far? It's so much better than bedside in my opinion. Thanks for the support.. it really is a tough job and I'm so glad I got out of a toxic environment to do something I'm happy in! Thanks for all the congratulations and kind words :)
@@CaitHawkins Thank you so much! I actually start orientation on Monday with HR, but on Tuesday I start in the OR learning how to open supplies. Whoo hoo!! Watching your new video now! Looking forward to your journey in FNP school & going for aesthetics! I think aesthetics sounds so much fun, too!
Just found your channel.. love the vibes. Here to stay 😊. It’s so interesting how we all are on our own nursing journeys. I graduated nursing school a year ago. I’m a wife and mom I started out doing home health PRN and quickly realized I hated it. Then I got a job in Same day Surgery (pre op/post op) and have been cross trained in the PACU and GI. I do like my job but I’m prn and L&D has always been my end goal. I’m ready to work full time and just accepted a Ft Day shift position at my hospital on an LDRP unit. I’m very passionate about L&D but I’m very nervous about switching jobs because I do like my job currently but ready to be full time and I don’t want to do 5-8s which is what most of my coworkers do. It’s so good to see others also on their journey and trying to find their niche. Sometimes I feel bad that I’ve only been at my job for 9 months and already switching and also worried about not liking my new job. But hey life is too short, if I don’t like it, I’ll find something else. 😊
Hi lindsayblalock1197! Thank you so much, glad you're here to stay:) I couldn't agree more.. we're all on our own nursing journeys to find what truly makes us happy! Congratulations on becoming a nurse a year ago, now to figure out what specialty makes your heart 100% happy! It's been a few months since your comment- sorry for not writing back sooner.. but how do you like your LDRP unit? How is the new job? I too don't like the 5-8s. I love working the 4 10 hr shifts the most or just knocking out the 3 12's. NEVER feel bad for switching out of your job early.. you gotta follow your heart and also nurses have that freedom to just get up and go because we are in such high demand! In my area people leave jobs with less than a year all the time to chase the money and opportunities. Life is too short to waste time at a place we're not fully happy! I wish you all the best! Can't wait to hear updates.
Congratulations cait I’m so happy for you, I’m am from the other part of jersey(south jersey) and I can only imagine what you went through sometimes I don’t understand how someone is in the field of nursing and be so toxic that’s how I know they are in it for the money. Congratulations on your new job, marriage, and FNP school
Thank you Ceecee1992! Hi jersey girl haha! Yeah it was honestly a lot but I am SO happy and relieved to be moving onto to something bigger and better! It honestly worked out in my favor. Agreed with everything you said. Thanks for the congratulations:)
Wow, I worked L & D for a few months and couldn't stand how unpredictable it was on a hourly basis. There were days that were total chaos! No lunch, no bathroom break and running around like "chickens without a head". Vaginal deliveries in the hallway when we had no room were a common occurrence. This was at a University Teaching Hospital setting with medical residents. I left and went to the NICU and was happier there because I could predict the process of admissions and care even though there were days when I didn't get a lunch or use the restroom in an 8 hour shift.
Congratulations on finding your niche! We need good OR nurses. As far as toxicity goes, that's is everywhere. Nurses are brutal to each other, especially to new grads. I always took the new grad "under my wings" because I was blessed to have someone take me underneath their wings.
Good luck with your career!!!
Hi janetg- I certainly had a few days of running around like crazy but not enough. I actually love to be running around which is why I love the OR always moving. But at that particular L&D unit it was just very small and not enough patients for me.
Thanks so much for your support. Yes, I truly couldn't see myself ever going back onto a floor unless I'm a nurse practitioner! OR is the way for me. Also, I couldn't agree more with what you said.. I will always take a new grad under my wings and help them out.
Thank you and best of luck to you as well.
I’m so glad you’ve found what makes you happy.
Thank you so much 💕
I've been waiting for you to post this video! I'm in nursing school and I'm afraid I'm not going to find my niche in nursing I have no idea what I want to do but this video made me feel a bit better because you didn't stay at a job you hated and now your thriving. Hopefully I can get a job a love.
Aw thank you! You will for sure find your niche in nursing even if it takes some time, that's completely normal! Good luck with finishing nursing school you got this! & yes always strive for happiness and never settle :)
Good luck with your new job and wishing you a happy marriage. I’m happy for you. Congratulations
Hello blesseddiva1624- thank you so much!! :)
Night L&D nurses are so mean at my hospital too. I started as a nurse extern at my hospital and had such a horrible experience I was completely turned off to L & D I went to telemetry instead. I’ve been there for 2 yrs now Ive had a good experience learned so much but I’m ready for something different like OR Im shadowing an OR nurse next week and if it all goes well I will hopefully make the move to transition.
I did the same thing, did vascular access nursing for a few years, but felt like I was missing out on nursing skills, and after a few months in L and D (HATED it too) and a month in Postpartum (which I didn't hate as much, until I had to suffer on night shift, which is not for me!) I realized that I didn't WANT to use those nursing skills, I had already found my niche, but I wasn't ready to accept it as that, because I felt like I was "missing out". Anywho, fast forward to two months ago, I was thankfully able to get on a vascular access team, with FABULOUS day shift hours (I will never work nights again) and a great group of nurses, and while I won't say this is my "forever job", it will be for at least the next few years! Glad you found your niche and your way back to the OR!
hi bettysmith4527- Your story is much appreciated! We're very similar!! Both doing vascular, than trying out L&D, I also could NOT do night shifts. I don't think I'll ever be a night person again haha. Your current job sounds like a great gig and balance! You also sound very happy in vascular access with great nurses surrounding you. I agree, my current job is definitely not my forever job, but it's somewhere I'm comfortable for a little while.
Thank you for the reply.... The catty drama has just started in my VAT job, so I will see how long I can tolerate it. My plan is to find a full time paramedic job and go back to 911 EMS ASAP! Good luck with your situation and I hope it works out!! @@CaitHawkins
I did L&D, thought I’d love it but I got the worst anxiety from it and had to leave.
im in nursing school and i have been a pharmacy tech for years i have always said out of all the nursing dept Labor and delivery is the most toxic dept EVER !!!!!!!!!!!! and i used to live in NJ and i think i know which hospital you worked at Good for you i wanna be into the OR myself
hi seanjohn0513- Couldn't agree with you more haha. Yeah it was very caddy in my opinion but I know other hospitals have different cultures and staff. However, I feel like the OR is the way for me! I love how the OR is half girls/guys and it's just very different from typical nursing in the best way possible. I say go for the OR if youre thinking about it, you'd love it if you like surgery!
After 15yrs my back, neck, feet and head hurt
Hi Monique- I hear you!! Remember to always take care of yourself first! The beauty of nursing is there is a job for everyone! Have you ever considered remote nursing?
I have thought about but the only experience I have is private duty pediatric nursing for the last 14yr and then 1 year of clinical nursing 08, 6mth of wound care in 09 and 5 mth of pre op at an ambulatory surgical center. I recently got my rn bsn in 2020 but no one will give me a chance because all my experience in homehealth
I'm so glad to see this video, you reminded me why I chose to leave the job I quit. I miss the actual hospital but the toxic work environment was not worth it. I had bad anxiety because of how they were. I just started NP school online too done with week 2, lol. I hope to see your journey and congratulations on getting married!
Thank you Jessica! Glad it was a reminder for you. Agreed, I kind of miss the hospital but the work/life/school balance working as an OR RN at a surgery center has been amazing so far for me. Good luck with NP school! We're in this together lol!
I know this is old but had to comment having worked in OR and L&D (with some ER in there). It really all depends on your personal interests. For me OR was incredibly redundant and boring.. I worked at a level 1 trauma hospital which was huge, so we were all assigned to specific specialties; I was stuck in general surgery/urology (with occasional trauma if I was on-call) and I had to do everything to keep myself occupied (especially during a Davinci case). I also had the worst needle-stick/exposure (HIV/Hep C + patient) due to careless disregard for sharps precaution/zoning. I was pissed and HATED it lol. I quit that job with quickness. After that, I did L&D for 7 years and loved every minute of it. I'm now a "low stress" CM for HR OB ;) No shade at all, it's all what you are into! Glad you found your niche. EDIT* Forgot super important fact; After PEP meds and a year of testing, I never seroconverted from HIV or hep C... thank god!
Currently in L and D and absolutely hate it and my coworkers. I am trying to find another job so bad! :(
Ugh, hugs! This is exactly how I felt. I barely lasted 3 months in L&D and I was miserable. I'm glad I tried it but I will never do floor nursing again. Hope you were able to get out, and if not keep your head held up high and keep looking! We should never have to settle for a job we're not 100% happy in.
So happy you found a job that you love. I was thinking OR or Labor and delivery now I’m scared for
L&D.
Hi nursebaern8462. First of all, thank you! Second, please do not be scared to try L&D if it is something you're interested in. In my experience I did not like it but you may end up LOVING it! Everyone has different opinions and my experience may be different from yours! However, I love the OR! Best of luck to you.. follow your gut instinct!
Great Message planning to move to Florida and find a job, Very inspirational thank you for sharing
Thank you Gellie58! Best of luck to you in your move and finding a new job! You got this!
sending you so much positive energy and love
Hi cyrinthia212, thank you so much, right back at you!!
I’m a pre nursing student and this was informative, I’d love to be an or nurse …. Can you do a video on tips for studying in school
Congratulations for choosing to go to nursing school! It’s an amazing profession with so many opportunities. I love the OR. I have a video posted about tips for nursing school. Here is it. Best of luck!! :)
ua-cam.com/video/7C7yDyX2q_I/v-deo.html
Thank you for sharing! Very informative.
lol, trust that you manager knows why she is just trying to retain you and the hospital has invested in training you.
Hi mariapadilla7501- couldn't agree with this more! Thank you.
Is the new gig a nationwide organization? Just wondering if they have locations in Tx?
Hi Roxanne! It's actually a private surgery center in NJ! If it were nationwide that would be amazing. I say do a bunch of interviews at surgery centers in Texas and go with whichever one gives you the best gut feeling:)
I did like L&D and worked in the area for over 35 years. This was over three different institutions. Yes, some areas were toxic. The staff was usually much older, as in almost ready for retirement, and never worked anywhere else. Many a morning I went home crying.
Nurses my age, late fifties to early sixties, were told to "suck it up". I am glad to see young nurses taking charge of their own lives. Kudos!
Hi!! Wow- L&D for over 35 years? That's amazing! I'm sorry you went through something so similar, it's really a shame this happens daily to nurses still! I think we are always taught to suck it up but the one thing I love about this new generation of nurses is we don't tolerate mistreatment, and we will find something we're happier doing if needed! Are you still working L&D? Thanks for the support !!
@@CaitHawkins I retired in Oct 2016. You have to remember that when I began my nursing career, there was no Human Relations Dept. and unions were the devil. This was back in the mid-70s. Nursing education was changing from hospital-based to college-based. Many did not take the change well.
@@judithcoloma613I bet you have so many stories about about the change in nursing, you have so much knowledge. Have you considered being a nurse educator or preceptor
You dont find the OR repetitive? I would think its more repetitive
Hi @kakefyll- not at all!! Everyday is a different patient, and different case. The main reason i love the OR is because every day is different. Even the same case such as a lap chole can be different depending on patient anatomy! It’s very fascinating 😊
@@CaitHawkins I guess that makes sense. But it seems your job as a circulator would largely revolve around the same task? Like doing the patient check lists, positioning the patient, helping anaesthesia with intubation, having the right equipment etc? But I guess you see a lot of different things? But I feel like the scrub nurse would see more than the circulator maybe?
Surgery Center job is also bedside nursing if you're caring for patients hands on, is it not?
It's not a typical bedside nurse, if she is an OR circulator you only see and interact with the patient very briefly!
barbie6695- I am an OR nurse at a surgery center, OR is considered non-bedside nursing as we don't do much communication with the patient while they're awake. There are some tasks similar to bedside but OR nursing is not bedside. Other jobs in a surgery center such as pre op nursing or PACU is bedside. Thanks!
Do surgery centers hire new grads? I guess I’m not considered a new grad I have one year of experience
Hello! I think a surgery center may hire a new grad for pre-op or PACU. But for the OR they really need experience, atleast one year in my area. Good luck!!
How to get monetized whats the process
Hello, I am just currently enjoying posting and not monetized yet.
I quiet my bedside postpartum job due the same thing you are saying.
Hugs!!! Being in toxic units absolutely sucks and is draining. Hope youre doing something youre happier doing now.
I hate the OR…I haaaate it! I rather do bedside than the OR. PACU, Acute Dialysis and Pediatric private duty have been my fav jobs in nursing.
Was this Hackensack hospital 🤔🤔
No!! Haha but good guess :p
Right because I heard horrible things about that place lol
I got a job offer at hackensack hospital but didnt take it!! I was going to guess Morristown but ive heard great things about Morristown (and i delivered my first baby there) 😂
I also have stomach, knee and weight problems
Stomach, Knee, & Weight problems? What’s the common denominator? Ummm stop eating fast food and lose weight! Don’t blame nursing, that’s poor life choices.
I do eat healthy, I am in shape. I’ve been a nurse for 15yr. The emotional stress and strain of the job for so many years is causes headache and stomach issues. The lifting and bending even with proper body mechanics, over time breaks down your body. At the end of the day, nurses are humans. We can only take so much. Obviously you haven’t been a nurse very long but in 20yr you will see.
Yes I’ve gained a few pounds from the stress of the job but I’m 5’6” and 150, I’m still in shape
And I excercise regularly
Im from NJ 😂 and a nurse…psych nurse
Hi fellow NJ nurse! I see you! Wow being in psych must be hard! Appreciate you.