Maternal/newborn experiences

hllybenn · Feb 1, 2005

In my program (graduated 1.5 years ago) we got exposure to L&D, Post Partum, Nursery, Prenatal/antepartum and the NICU. I went to an accelerated BSN program (for 2nd degree students).

The more interesting thing to me is that some schools do not have a maternity rotation. There are several schools in our area that does not do them.

HappyNurse2005, RN · Feb 1, 2005

Do all students get exposure to L&D, OB, NICU, etc? Any information you share is greatly appreciated!

my ADN school does. I saw some interesting things in L&D- delivery of a 26w infant, weighing 1pound, 8 ounces.

NICU we didnt go into, but we saw postpartum and healthy newborn nursery.

jenrninmi, MSN, RN · Feb 1, 2005

I'm in a BSN program and we had experiences in L & D where I saw several lady partsl births, I also was in on a cesarean birth. We were also in the nursery, NICU and postpartum

BCA4478 · Mar 2, 2005

First, I would like to thank all of you who replied to my original posting.

Second, I would like to know if anyone out there has decided that maternal/newborn nursing is the field that they would like to work in upon graduating. If so, was there a particular experience that you had that brought you to this decision or have you always wanted to work in this area?

jenrninmi, MSN, RN · Mar 2, 2005

First, I would like to thank all of you who replied to my original posting.
Second, I would like to know if anyone out there has decided that maternal/newborn nursing is the field that they would like to work in upon graduating. If so, was there a particular experience that you had that brought you to this decision or have you always wanted to work in this area?

I am, and it's what I have always wanted to do - why I went to nursing school in the first place. :)

manna, BSN, RN · Mar 2, 2005

We have L&D/PP/nursery/NICU rotations as well. So far, I've only witnessed one birth - twins both delivered vag at 36 weeks! Amazing! Hope to see more, and so far am really interested in this field of nursing. Also spent some time in the well baby nursery during peds (our maternal-child clinicals are this semester, so we're still getting our time in - alternating between that and med surg II/chronic health).

Time will tell though... I've got plenty of time left to decide. :)

klone, MSN, RN · Mar 3, 2005

First, I would like to thank all of you who replied to my original posting.
Second, I would like to know if anyone out there has decided that maternal/newborn nursing is the field that they would like to work in upon graduating. If so, was there a particular experience that you had that brought you to this decision or have you always wanted to work in this area?

Working with moms/babies is why I went into nursing school. Initially I wanted to become "just" a lactation consultant, but that interest has extended to all facets of maternal/child and reproductive health.

I don't do my OB rotation until next semester, but I'm already good friends with the OB instructor at our school and she's well aware of my interest.

mitchsmom · Mar 3, 2005

Working with moms/babies is why I went into nursing school. Initially I wanted to become "just" a lactation consultant, but that interest has extended to all facets of maternal/child and reproductive health.
I don't do my OB rotation until next semester, but I'm already good friends with the OB instructor at our school and she's well aware of my interest.

Ditto :)

My program goes to about 5 or 6 different areas of OB (triage, ante-, intra-, postpartum, NICU, etc.)

CNM-to-be · Mar 3, 2005

Working with moms/babies is why I went into nursing school. Initially I wanted to become "just" a lactation consultant, but that interest has extended to all facets of maternal/child and reproductive health.
I don't do my OB rotation until next semester, but I'm already good friends with the OB instructor at our school and she's well aware of my interest.

I'm in the same boat, too. The whole reason I'm even pursuing my RN is b/c I want to work c moms and babies. I jokingly say when I grow up I want to be a midwife :chuckle I haven't done my OB/Peds rotation yet...I'll get to that either this summer or next fall. I have a lot of experience c birthing moms so I'm almost positive they'll put me in the fast summer course. After I finish up my ADN its on to my BSN and then (keeping fingers crossed) into midwifery school. I'm so excited I can hardly wait!!

Daye · Mar 4, 2005

First, I would like to thank all of you who replied to my original posting.
Second, I would like to know if anyone out there has decided that maternal/newborn nursing is the field that they would like to work in upon graduating. If so, was there a particular experience that you had that brought you to this decision or have you always wanted to work in this area?

I have hopes and dreams of working in maternal/newborn nursing as of right now. I haven't experienced a sad; death or stillborn situation and don't know how well I will be able to handle that aspect however. For me personally though I cannot imagine anyting more rewarding than newborn care. A lot of responsibility and a very attentive, and alert conscience all the time.

ndsweetheart · Mar 5, 2005

First, I would like to thank all of you who replied to my original posting.
Second, I would like to know if anyone out there has decided that maternal/newborn nursing is the field that they would like to work in upon graduating. If so, was there a particular experience that you had that brought you to this decision or have you always wanted to work in this area?

My school also has an OB/GYN rotation. We are required to attend at least one birth from beginning to end. We do clinicals on the L&D unit, NICU, nursery and GYN surgical. The hospital that my school is affiliated with has a Birthing Unit. The nurse on this unit takes care of the woman from the minute she admits to the floor until she is discharged. Most of the babies room in as well. The mother labors, delivers, and recovers in the same room.

I am in a standard BSN program and will graduate in May. I too began nursing school with the intent on doing L&D nursing. I actually delivered my first child 6 weeks after finishing my L&D rotation, (summer after junior year). It was the most amazing experience of my life. It was at that point that I knew that L&D was for sure what I wanted to do. I have secured a job on the L&D unit at my hospital and will begin work in June upon graduation. I am so excited! This is where my passion is!

I plan to work for a year or two and apply to midwifery school.