[bfordham]

Hello
My name is Bonnie and I live in NC. I am a Spec. Ed teacher and have been for 8 years. I am seriously considering nursing and would like to work with in a hospital setting with babies (like in the nursery) and then maybe with children as well.
What type of nurse works in the nurseries of hospitals?
I have two children of my own and def. think this area is one I would like to investigate but I don't know what type of nurse it would be.
Thanks for taking time to answer my question
Bonnie

[bfordham]

Originally Posted by bfordham

Hello
My name is Bonnie and I live in NC. I am a Spec. Ed teacher and have been for 8 years. I am seriously considering nursing and would like to work with in a hospital setting with babies (like in the nursery) and then maybe with children as well.
What type of nurse works in the nurseries of hospitals?
I have two children of my own and def. think this area is one I would like to investigate but I don't know what type of nurse it would be.
Thanks for taking time to answer my question
Bonnie

Does anyone know where I can look to find out?
Thanks
Bonnie

[fergus51]

It sounds like you are interested in working in the well baby nursery. RNs work there and basically take care of babies when moms want to sleep and they do the necessary newborn procedures in some hospitals (vit K shots, PKU blood draws, etc). There aren't a ton of jobs in this area since a lot of hospitals don't have well baby nurseries anymore.

[bfordham]

Originally Posted by fergus51

It sounds like you are interested in working in the well baby nursery. RNs work there and basically take care of babies when moms want to sleep and they do the necessary newborn procedures in some hospitals (vit K shots, PKU blood draws, etc). There aren't a ton of jobs in this area since a lot of hospitals don't have well baby nurseries anymore.

Thank you for your input. We have a Women's hospital that is just for Birthing and women procedures and we have a well baby nursery.
I was not aware that they are uncommon. Interesting. What is the setup elsewhere?
Again...thanks
Bonnie

[maggijo]

Until this June I, too, was a teacher- middle school Spanish- and am now trying to get into nursing school. I want to work with women and their newborns, too. I am not much help for you here, but wanted to say hi and good luck! I don't hear much about working as an RN in the nursery, but I hope to find something, too...

[Fiona59]

Most hospitals have gone to what is called "rooming in". After the initial assessment, the baby stays in Mums room for her to care for and bond with. The average stay in my area is 24 hours for a vaginal and 72 hours for a c-section. We only have babies in the nursery for assessment, bili lights, mum has had to leave the unit, car seat tests, or if the child is becoming a ward of the province.

Maternity/postpartum nursing involves a lot of education and bedside care.

If this doesn't sound like your cup of tea, there is public health. My province has a well-baby programme where a RN visits the family with 24 hours of discharge from hospital to do a check up (discuss any concerns re breast feeding, wellbeing, etc.). The public health nurses also staff the baby clinic for followups and immunization programmes.

NICU involves additional courses and requires a certain kind of nurse. Too intense for many.

[fergus51]

I have noticed that well baby nurseries are more common in the US than in Canada, but even here a lot of hospitals are encouraging couplet care where the baby stays with mom on the postpartum ward. I personally don't adore well baby nurseries, but that's another thread....

[bfordham]

Thank you very much again for the info.
We too have rooming in but it's not mandated. I roomed in with both of mine with the exception of maybe one night or when I needed to take a shower and hubby was home getting some things.

We also have the program in my county in NC where the nurse comes for three visits after you have had the baby to check weight, check the mom, and help with questions. This program is voluntary but I did it with both of my kids and loved it. I was lucky to get the same nurse twice. She is now a teacher

It will def. take me awile to pursue nursing and there are a lot of great incentives in my area b/c the demand is so great.

There are currently two mother/baby positions open at the Women's Hospital where I live. One posted in May and another in June. I will watch and see how quickly (or not) they fill in.

Your comments are helpful and appreciated.
Bonnie