Can a LPN work in L & D?

racing-mom4, BSN, RN · Apr 23, 2008

The hospital I work at does not hire LPNs in OB, nor do our competing hospitals. I went through nursing school sure I was going to work in OB and some how I ended up in ICU and could not be happier. Couldnt imagine being anywhere else. Funny how things work.

Have you considered going for your RN 1st? You will only have to sit for boards once then.

It will take just as long to go RN route 1st vs LPN then Bridge to RN. The opportunities available to RNs are greater than those to LPNs, not saying I agree with, but that is just how it is.

Quickbeam, BSN, RN · Apr 23, 2008

I asked a friend of mine who is a CNM (I am not nor have I ever been an OB nurse...)...she said that she doesn't know of any hospitals in my state that have LPNs in L&D. Some have some long term employees doing post-partum or newborn nursery. By long term I mean "since the 1970's". Her opinion was that OB jobs are kind of competitive and that the units can usually get RNs so they do.

Best wishes to you!

ohmeowzer RN, RN · Apr 23, 2008

the hospital i work for dosen't hire LPN's for the women's center at all. there are no LPN's in any specalty areas. we only have 2 LPN's in the whole hospital, and when they quit there won't be any more hired.

if you want to work L&D i encourge you to go get your RN.

take care and keep us posted

steph23 · Apr 23, 2008

Thank you so much for the responses. I am basically set on just going right for my RN. Now, another question (SORRY) I am a 23 year old single mother to a 3 year old, and I also work a full time job...I want to start school asap (probably this summer) and I am SO nervous about whether I am going to be able to handle everything. Does anyone have any advice for me? I want to start out as slow as I possibly can, so I don't get in way over my head. Any advice would be GREAAAATLY appreciated. MY Dream and goal in life is to become a L&D RN. I am just scared that I am not going to be able to handle the schooling part. :uhoh21:

THANKS!!!!

NewNurseyGirl2009 · Apr 23, 2008

It's a lot of work and I dont work full time. I work 2 days a week and have 2 kids under the age of 4. I am starting nursing school and have a good support system although I know it will still be hard. Good luck, just have a lot of help lined up and if you dream it you can make it happen. It's not forever just a couple years for a lifetime of benefits

futurecnm · Apr 23, 2008

i did work with one in OB clinical but from the way it sounded she had been around a long time. I do not think there are any in L&D at that hospital. I have worked with a few lpn's in my clinical hospital but most of them got hired many years ago and many are in school for RN. I have also heard the LPN to RN route is just as long as straight RN?? Not sure. I'm finishing up a 2 yr AD degree going nights/weekends. I am done in less than a month. I have 2 children and have been lucky enough to have not had to work. Many people in my class do work, but I would recommend at least part time. Nursing school takes up a lot of time in itself with class and clinical (not to mention all the course work) so if you work full time and do nursing school you will have very minimal time with your child. Have you done any pre-requisites yet? If not, start out one at a time to get into it slowly. Many are 1-2 nights a week. I got mine done in less that 2 years. Then the 2 yr RN program to total of 4 years. I started out wanting to work in OB/L&D but just accepted a job in ED. Funny how it changes as you go through school!

Nurse2184 · Apr 23, 2008

The hospital I work at does not hire LPNs to work in L&D. However, they do hire LPNs to work on the Postpartum Unit if you are interested in that, but I don't know if its that way for every hospital.

Laura77598 · Apr 23, 2008

I have advice to give you:

First get your less challenging (easy courses) done in the summer online if possible. This would possibly include: psychology, english, human growth and development. I wouldn't take more than one during the summer, and none with a hard science course even in the fall or spring. I am a one course at a time kinda gal, since I started when my 2nd daughter was 3 yrs old. If you have time, when you take Anatomy and Physiology you will have more time to devote to your studies and labs if you can take one at a time. If not here's what I would recommend:

Summer: Human Growth and Dev. (online if possible very easy)

Fall: A&P 1 + possible elective ( theatre arts)

Spring: A&P 2 + possible elective or psychology (try not to mix science courses; you won't get as high a GPA with your grades & this will hurt you in the admissions process.)

Summer: English / PSychology 1 (maybe just one maybe both, depends on what you have time and attention and $ for.)

Fall: Microbiology

This will get you some good pre-reqs in without having to do it fast and careless. if you really want to get your GPA high in the science courses, take them one at a time in a long session. if you feel compfortable with your libereal arts and elective courses, you might take them on the internet and maybe take more than one at once. I have found online classes much easier than classroom classes when it comes to electives and liberal arts (english, psychology) classes. Slow and

Steady never hurt anyone.

Good Luck,

Laura

ylla999 · Apr 24, 2008

Great Advice Laura

I'm new to this site and I'm an LPN who has been working 27yrs at a general hospital(last 13 on a Mother-Infant unit, also a childbirth instructor for the last 5yrs) I've done okay even with the limits of my LPN status...but I've had to get RNs to advocate for the advancements I've managed to obtain. I recently lost my husband in 06 and he was the primary breadwinner in the house(an RN with a specialty in critical care education and IV therapy) this sad loss forced me to accept the fact I wasn't going to be able to keep my house with the salary I was making...even though in this area, Mass., my hourly rate is good..27dollars an hour!) I'm 54 and don't have the energy to work 40hrs a week. So I've gone back to school to earn my ASN thru Rue Ed.

Not easy but hopefully do-able.

I'm so happy to have found this site. I could use the support and friendship I hope to find here.

Thanks

Candy

kat7ap · Apr 26, 2008

I am an LPN who works in Mother-Baby. My unit is mainly RN and we have about 10-15 LPNs total and even some start as new grads. We take our own patient assignments and work independently. Our limitations include antepartum patients, mag patients, or any other very complex case (which doesn't occur often). We also do not hang blood or push IV narcotics. We do not have LPNs in L&D or NICU. Some hospitals may have LPNs in L&D to assist with delivery and recovery or to scrub for c-sections. However I don't think you will find any place that has LPNs as the main L&D nurse just because we have a more limited scope of practice.

In my area only a couple hospitals use LPNs in maternity, so yes the jobs are somewhat rare. It just depends on where you live and what opportunities are available at the time you are looking. You will have a disadvantage being a new grad. I had to work 1 year doing nursing home and rehab before starting mother-baby.

obwannabe11 · May 1, 2008

Thank you so much for the responses. I am basically set on just going right for my RN. Now, another question (SORRY) I am a 23 year old single mother to a 3 year old, and I also work a full time job...I want to start school asap (probably this summer) and I am SO nervous about whether I am going to be able to handle everything

well i dont have any advice for you but i am in the same boat...i am 22 married mother of a 2 year old my husband works full time and then some as a corrections officer...so life is busy. last time i was in school i was single and childless..im nervous...but we CAN and we WILL do it! good luck to you..keep in touch:bugeyes: