An OB Wannabe, I think?

Specialties Ob/Gyn

Published

Hello All,

I am currently a pre-nursing student and I am 1000% sure that I want to enter into all forms of OB nursing. My problem is that I don't know what certifications I need to do this. I would like to be seasoned in my education so that I will be able to work in L&D, PP, NICU, High Risk Antepartum, and the normal nursery. All of these areas interest me. Would someone be able to help me out with this information? I just want to get an idea of how long I will need to go to school to attain the education required for all. Thanks in advance for your help. :)

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Specializes in OB, NICU, Nursing Education (academic).

You should have an OB rotation in your nursing program. After graduating, and becoming licensed, you may get a job in OB......I should probably add, if you're lucky (they are sometimes hard to come by). Any certifications would be obtained AFTER several years of experience (experience is required). Certification exams are very specialized.

Good luck! My very first nursing job was in OB postpartum. I have also worked in NICU. Loved it.

Time spent in school will depend on type of program you are in. ADN typically is 2 years (or 3 really....depending on pre-reqs required), BSN will be 4 years.

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Specializes in Maternal Child.

Hi,

I love OB too! I just nursing school in August and now work on a postpartum unit and the regular nursery. In a few months I'll be cross trained to L&D and eventually I would also really like to get to know the NICU...so like you, I want to cover all areas as I love it all! To begin, you just need your RN license (which you get from either the associate degree or BSN pathway) then you can apply for an RN job in the OB field. I looked for a job that would cross-train me to different departments.

After that, you may choose to specialize further with your education by doing a women's health Nurse practioner program, midwifery, or another type of masters.

Good luck!

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join...

Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN)

do your senior preceptorship in OB

volunteer in an OB setting

during your nursing clinicals... do extra clinical hours in OB

try to go for high risk OB during nursing school

be a nursing assistant on an OB floor

get NRP, ACLS, Fetal Monitoring certification,

goodluck.

i love OB and its my dream job. glad we share the same passion :)

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Thanks for all the great advice. I am so excited! I have been like obsessed with becoming a nurse and helping out with the delivery of babies since I was like 8yrs old.

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