First Job-OB

I'm new in postpartum myself. It's a whole different atmosphere. I suggest looking through your old maternity textbook to review. Also, during your orientation, you will be learning A LOT. So write down everything you possibly can so you always have your notes to refer to. And ask questions if you are unsure. Anything that comes up you have a question about, ask or look it up and add the answer to your notes. I am learning so much and have such a great thirst for more knowledge because I want to be the best postpartum nurse I can be. And reading through your notes on your days off will help retain the new information you have gained. All of this will help build your confidence, too. Congratulations.

Research breastfeeding techniques and resources in your area. You'll spend a lot of time assisting moms with breastfeeding.

Research the risks of preterm labor and birth, as well as post term birth. Look at the common health issues like GBS, GDM, PIH, pre-eclampsia, etc. Look up your labor interventions and appropriate uses, including vacuum-assisted birth. Review lochia, magnesium protocol, psychosocial issues related to breastfeeding and birth challenges (many moms need to be able to grieve a failed lady partsl birth, for example, or experience a lot of frustration while trying to establish a breastfeeding a relationship). Look into signs of postpartum depression, signs of drug withdrawal in babies, signs of bonding challenges (these are generally easy to spot, but not always). Review the benefits of kangaroo care.

When you get on the unit, review the protocols, taking them home if needed. My MBU has a binder someone put together ("Newbie Notes") with protocols for glucose, c-sections, preterm babies, cold stress, etc. This can be really helpful to have all in one place! I also have put together some of my own notes- what I need to have set up for a post-c/s admit, FLACC score, preterm protocol, etc, so I can easily reference it. I keep it in my folder that I use for my brain.

Congrats!

Although I have a year of nursing experience under my belt, I will be transferring to my postpartum unit in a week but feel under-prepared myself. This is a new specialty for us starting out but you'll learn by reviewing your textbooks and of course being proactive and asking many questions during orientation. Creating your own notebook of information (hospital protocols, interesting patient cases, etc.) will be great as well. You will be successful with determination and persistence. As j0yegan has stated, you will have such a desire to be the best nurse for your patients that you'll be "thirsty" to learn more.

Keep us informed how you are doing on the unit.

Thank you so much for the positive feedback, it sounds like you are enjoying your new postpartum job, I have started going through some textbooks and I will take your advice and absorb as much as I can on the job! Good luck to you and congrats as well :)

Thank you RunBabyRun, It is so nice to hear from someone with some experience! I will be taking all of these topics into consideration, you have mentioned some things I have completely left out while I have been reviewing! I appreciate it!

Runbaby,

I'm also in the Chicago area and found ob a really difficult area to get into. Any advice on how you snagged the position? Do you have an adn or BSN?

I have a BSN but I know of alot of ADNs who found jobs before me!..some advice I have to stand out is go on google and type into the search bar the name of the hospital you are applying too followed by "nurse recruiter" "nurse manager" or "human resources", "obstetrics"...sometimes you get lucky and their linkedin accounts pop-up with an Email address and contact info whether its HR, a recruiter, the nurse manager...just anybody to pull up your resume helps! Sometimes I didn't hear back, other times they weren't looking for new grads and sometimes I would get a call to set up an interview within 24 hours. It can be discouraging at times and time consuming, like I said I filled out over 500 apps online (not all OB)..Chicago is so saturated with nursing I definitely sympathize and wish you the best of luck!! :)