Define: Perinatal Nurse

imenid37 · Dec 13, 2005

It could mean high risk ob nurse, like perinatology nurse. working with the perinatologist (maternal-fetal medicine doc). I used to work on the perinatal unit where we cared for all OB pt's, except labouring moms and NICU babies. We had antenatal, PP moms, and healthy newborns. The duties depend on what the facility means by perinatal.

rn/writer, RN · Dec 13, 2005

Perinatal could mean anything connected with birth. Antepartum. L&D. Post-partum. Or even NICU.

Call the HR department of the facility running the ad and ask for a clarification.

JaneyW · Dec 13, 2005

I am a perinatal nurse. This means that I do both L&D and Postpartum. I am more an L&D nurse by training, but have been cross-trained for Postpartum and have to be willing to go work in that unit some of the time. I was hired in July and it was a requirement of the job that I was willing to do both areas.

This has come about at my facility for all new hires because most workers have been there 15-25 years and don't want to cross train. I kind of like doing both areas because it mixes things up a bit and I think it has given me more perspective of the needs of the nurses and patients in both areas.