Sorry abou the cross-posting. I might have posted to the wrong group, previously...
Hi all.
My wife wants to return to school and become a labor/delivery nurse. It's all she wants to do. So, for the holidays, my big gift to her is going to be a check made out to a local nursing college, and a boat load of study materials.
The problem here is......What courses should she be taking to become a Labor/Delivery nurse? Is there an LD certification like RN? Is the goal to get a degree or certification?
I am an IT specialist (computer geek) and most of my career has been spent keeping up with my certifications. A college degree is only necessary if I want to work for a company that requires a degree, or if I really want to pursue management. Otherwise, I can continue to manage databases, fix computers, and configure networking as long as I'm up to date with the certifications.
I also want to buy study materials for my wife. If there is a specific test or tests which are directed towards L/D, I want to buy her some books and Computer-Based training (MOSBY to name one brand).
So here's the advice I need;
1 - What certification(s) and/or degree(s) does a person need to ultimately become a labor/Delivery nurse?
2 - Would you recommend favorite study materials and references, to PRE-Prepare her for classes and the new career!
(by the way, I'm not going to pick her classes out for her. I want to be able to give her as much information as possible so she can make educated choices. Right now, she thinks that this is a pipe dream and we can't afford to send her to school. I can't wait to surprise her)
Thank you all so much. I am hoping to surprise my wife with the tools to build her new career.
I took the baby and started on my quest. Bought a bunch of books today. I'll post the names tomorrow when I can sneak them into the house. They are sitting in the car trunk.
I am so appreciative and in admiration of nurses. I will be truly proud of my wife when she puts on her first official scrubs. Actually, I'll be proud of her just for pursuing it.
I'm also learning a lot by researching what it takes to enter this field!
Specializes in Float Pool, ICU/CCU, Med/Surg, Onc, Tele.
Well there ya go... SCRUBS! No reason you can't just pick up a set of 'unofficial' scrubs to go under the tree. Imagine how delighted she'll be to open her packages... everything from books to scope to scrubs (and $$$). What more can a gal ask for? *swoons*
PS Scrubs are totally cozy and great for housework, studying, baby care, running errands, and sleeping. The more ya wash 'em the softer they get.
Scrubs are a great idea, too! She's pregnant now, so I have to be careful with clothes!
Here are the books I've bought so far. They were at the store, and my research time is limited on weekends so some or all of them may be terrible. Who knows. It's all that Barnes and Noble had in the store. I'm going to get the above referenced book from Amazon.... Here they are;
Thompson's Introduction to Maternity and Pediatric Nursing
by Gloria Leifer, Eleanor Dumont Thompson (Editor)
Hardcover: 912 pages ; Dimensions (in inches): 1.79 x 10.30 x 8.29
Publisher: W B Saunders Co; ISBN: 0721675573; 3nd edition (January 15, 1999)
Lippincott's Review Series, Maternal-Newborn Nursing (Book with CD-ROM)
by Barbara R. Stright (Editor)
Paperback: 328 pages ; Dimensions (in inches): 0.69 x 9.07 x 6.06
Thanks for pointing me in the direction of those charts. I saw them in a bookstore (almost picked up a math chart for one of MY classes), but never saw them after that. Forgot what store I saw them in. Turns out, it was Borders. I'm definately going to pick some up for stocking stuffers! I'm not sure what the "cuff" is, which you mentioned, but I'm about to do a search on the web.
You sound like a wonderful and caring husband!! Do you by chance have a brother? I think I want to trade up....
So many men are not supportive of their wives going back to school and improving their lives. She will be so happy to do this for all of you. I wish you well...
I went to good husband school and squeaked by with a "C"! Should have studied harder.
Seriously, part of my enthusiasm stems from my admiration of nurses. I admire doctors as well, but the nurses work wacky hours, the doctors get all the recognition (and more money), and nurses seem to do all the dirty work. (I know from experience, I've spent a lot of time in the hosptal from thyroid problems)
Every nurse I know, does it for a genuine love of something connected to their line of work. TV shows don't do nurses justice. If I paid a kajillion dollars for my daughter to go to college and she came back and said she wanted to be a nurse, I'd support her in the same way I'm proud of my wife. Can you tell how much respect I have for nurses in general?
CountrifiedRN
408 Posts
I thought of another gift suggestion, maybe a medical terminology book to help understand some of the nurse lingo. It can be like a foreign language!
For the stethoscope, or other equipment, I have shopped here:
http://www.jascouniform.com/
or here:
http://www.allheart.com/?AID=5329523&PID=765168
Good luck!