Anyone here start in OB as new grad?

HeartsOpenWide, RN · Jul 13, 2012

I have been an LDRP nurse for three years. I now have my RNC. I started out in OB as a new grad. It was very hard and stressful at first. You can do it! My biggest suggestion is to hold your head high and have confidence. Labor and delivery is like a bunch of hens in a hen house. Women can be brutal. Don't let them get under your skin.

If they offer to orient you on day shift, ask if you can orient on nights (since that is where you are probably going to be any way) People on night shift tend to be way more relaxed and laid back, at least in my experience. About the only good thing to learn from day shift is scheduled C/S, get comfortable with them so that when you are on night shift you are not scared, because most night shift C/S are emergencies.

MsAsia322, MSN, APN, NP · Jul 13, 2012

You will be fine! I'm also a recent new grad, kinda. I graduated June 2011 but since I had a baby, I wasnt able to jump right into working. I wanted to stay home with the baby or awhile. And after 6 months and about 400 applications, I just got a job as an L&D nurse too! I'd say be confident and always ask questions. You want to make sure you maximize your learning experience in your orientation. Youre not going to suck especially if youre doing something you sincerely love! Good luck to the both of us :)

belle005 · Jul 14, 2012

You'd feel the exact same way heading into Med/Surg, ER, oncology, peds, OR, etc. etc. New grads are always going to feel inadequate, scared, and like they suck! Don't worry... you'll get a good, long orientation in a specialty like OB and the fact that it's your dream job and you're very enthusiastic about it will be a great help. I started as a new grad in L&D and so did at least 5 people I work with in L&D. Just ask lots of questions even if you think they are "dumb" questions. And I'd disagree about orienting on night shift... try to orient on days where there is a ton going on, and everything is fast paced and lots and lots of different experiences happening. I have worked days and nights and got a lot of good experiences on days that never came up on nights. Good luck!!!

Fyreflie · Jul 14, 2012

I did and am coming up on my 5th year with no regrets whatsoever :) good luck in your new career!

rn/writer, RN · Jul 14, 2012

Just a suggestion. Work on becoming a competent, skillful nurse before you focus on changing people's lives.

I don't say this because I'm a cynic or I'm trying to rain on your parade. I say it because the desire to change people's lives puts a lot of pressure on you at the very same time you already have a big job to do. The reality is that if you develop your skills and hone your wisdom, you will have a good effect on most of your patients as a byproduct of your efforts, and that's the proper order of things.

Focusing directly on changing lives can disappoint and confuse you when you have a patient who is out of sorts, uncooperative or even downright unpleasant. It can cause you to question yourself and doubt your abilities and leave you feeling like you failed them somehow. Don't take this kind of turmoil personally.

Do your job. Learn as much as you can. Give your patients good, dependable care. Recognize that this is what most patients are after, and the rest will take care of itself.

Congrats on your new position. I hope you do really well and can come back and encourage other new grads. :up:

busymommy · Jul 14, 2012

Thanks, rn/writer! I especially appreciated the bit about focusing on being a good, competent nurse, rather than on changing lives. Really good advice, no matter the specialty!

Traveldee · Jul 28, 2012

Congrats on the job! I became an LDRP nurse as a new grad and I love it, but it's a HUGE learning curve from nursing school to practice. I would encourage you to do everything you can to get the most out of your orientation. For me that meant not being afraid to ask questions, including trying to figure out my preceptors' critical thinking thought process (some preceptors don't think out loud - if they don't, ASK them what they are assessing for and how they are deciding what to prioritize, etc.) Also, OB seems to be feast or famine a lot of times - one shift you won't have any time to sit down, the next you might have quite a bit of downtime. Make the most of any downtime you might have to go through the unit and supplies, finding where stuff is. Run through "what if" scenarios with your preceptor and coworkers. I highly recommend reading the book "Labor and Delivery Nursing" by Michelle L. Murray and Gayle M. Huelsmann, as it is an especially great resource for someone new to OB. Be proactive with your learning! Besides that, I would also recommend self care. Eat well, drink lots of water, get enough sleep, exercise...sounds simple but it will help you feel healthier and cope with what you are dealing with at work! Don't be surprised if you feel like you need more sleep initially...you probably do. :)

Best of luck to you and again congratulations on the job!! MANY people would love to be in your shoes! :)

Traveldee · Jul 28, 2012

I agree - orient on days, at least with your first job, and if OB RN's circulate C-sections, then try to orient as many C-sections as possible! Day shift C-sections are often planned, so you have more time to get the patient prepped (which is often a better learning environment for a nurse, vs. a night shift C-section which is often unplanned and STAT!)

NewgradCA2012 · Jul 31, 2012

I'm so glad I'm not the only one feeling scared to start in OB! This is the job I've been dreaming about but I'm so scared I'll suck at it. Thank you so much for posting and thanks to everyone for sharing their experiences!

nurseliane, ADN · Aug 1, 2012

Hi. I was hired as a new grad in LDRP, completed a 6 month orientation and have been on my own for about 3 months. It's hard some days and on other days I walk out glowing because it was a great shift. You won't suck. Just take what you can from orientation and go forward with confidence and a great attitude. As I've been reminded in my times of doubt and fear--you're never alone. There's always someone there to give advise on weird strips or help in an emergency.

HappyrockRN · Aug 2, 2012

I just celebrated my first anniversary of being an LDRP nurse, and I essentially started there as a new grad (I oriented to critical care at a different hospital for a couple months, but then this job opportunity came up and I couldn't refuse it!). I didn't have any experience as a student nurse, but I still love going to work and am finally getting to the point where I'm consistently efficient and confident in my skills :) If you're working on nights, I would recommend doing as much of your orientation on nights as you can (apart from stuff in the OR, like everyone else said). At least on our unit, the night shift RNs and day shift RNs are as different as, well, you know :) The unit is just RUN differently - and if your main preceptor is working the same shift that you will be working once you're off orientation, you'll have at least one person you know you can count on if you get confused, overwhelmed, terrified, etc.

I had the exact same thoughts running through my head last year - "What if I'm awful? What if I fail at my dream job? What if I hate it, and just wasted 4 years and thousands of dollars? What if I accidentally drop a baby?" [sorry if I just added some new concerns :saint: ] - but I don't think doing 3-5 years of med/surg will make you a better LDRP nurse in the long run.