Gyn Surgery vs. OB for new RN?

[melanie1126]

Hi. I originally had this very long post in the new grad ob thread but only got 1 response (thanks nursemelani) so thought I'd put it on it's own thread. Any advice appreicated:

I've been a RN for just at a year now and have been working nights on a VERY busy telemetry med/surge floor. My plan was to continue to work there a couple of years to get comfortable as a nurse (lots of anxiety at being new to nursing! ). However, we found out last week that my husband who is in the Air Force reserves is being deployed to the Middle East (hopefully not Iraq!) for 6 months. I now have to find a day job. My hospital has a prn position on women's surgery for days and I was considering applying with hopes of working my way to Mom & Baby, then on to L&D (my goal - but I want years of experience before L&D). Today though I saw a new posting for a part time day position in Mom & Baby. I'm trying to decide if I should just go for the Mom & Baby position. Even though I'm used to caring for some very sick patients on my floor, my experience is with CHF, post Cardiac Cath, COPD exacerbation and End Stage Renal Patients (all who are monitored). I'm terrified at trying something so different so early in my career where I am just beginning to get comfortable where I'm at. Pre-Nursing I have an accounting background so being in this uncontrolled, ever changing environment has been quite a challenge for me. My question is given my background and above mentioned anxiety would women's surgery be a better stepping stone for me on my way to OB and later on L&D. I realize it's totally different field but I have NO experience whatsoever with gyn nursing, or would you adivise to go ahead and bite the bullet with Mom Baby. We have a high risk floor so I think our mom& baby is just routine Vag/C sect PP patients. Also, what is nurse/pt ratio. I'm assuming you take patients in pairs (mom & baby) so how many pairs assigned (so I can tell if the ratio at our hospital is safe - trust me it's not where I work now 6-8 monitored pts to 1 nurse.) Also is there usually any training provided on dealing with psychological issues ( bonding, loss of child, breastfeeding, etc.). I've read through the new to ob thread so I've seen some of the different types of assessments I'll learn. I'd appreciate any advice or info you can throw my way. Sorry, Long post!

[SmilingBluEyes]

You know what? Getting GYN surgical experience is great. BUT it does not necessarily prepare you for L/D nursing. L/D is unlike other areas. Having med-surg experience is a very good thing---you will deal with medical issues in L/D nursing, but getting GYN surgical nursing first won't really prepare you for L/D.

I would start in Mother/Baby if anything, first. It is a great way to break into OB nursing and learn a bit about that area before moving to L/D, if you choose to. Your experiences on Tele are INVALUABLE---dealing with very sick patients w/all sorts of pathos going on will be very useful for L/D. Couple that with Mother/Baby and you would transition very well indeed.

I started out of school doing LDRP nursing (we do it all---labor/delivery, and post partum/newborn). The learning curve is very steep, but I am never bored and I like following my patient care from labor to discharge...its' very satisfying. Does your hospital have separate L/D and Mother-Baby units or LDRP? Just curious.

I also do GYN surgical care on my unit----we have several rooms set aside for that. The GYN side is not really interchangeable w/ L/D-----they are so different. Different knowledge bases and skills sets. So, my advice, is, if you want to "break into" L/D, you go for either LDRP or Mother-Baby nursing (or straight into L/D, if you can). You will do fine---if I made it as a new grad in the sink or swim world of LDRP nursing you will be ok.

Oh and from one military spouse to another, if you ever need anything, feel free to Private message me. My dh is retiring soon and I have certainly been thru deployments and separations thru the years. If there is anything I can do to help you make life easier, or just reassure you, don't hesitate. Thank you for your service to our country, as a military family!

[melanie1126]

Thanks for the advice. I called the NM and let her know that I was interested so the ball's rolling. Our hospital does not have LDRP. We have LDR, then pt is transferred to Mom/Baby. We have a high risk OB floor and then we have gyn surgery in another area.

Thanks for the encouragement about my dh's deployment. It's a little unnerving to be planning such a big career change at the same time he's going to be gone. Also, we have a 2 year old so it's going to be a big adjustment for me. Our house was alreay on he market before he found out he was going so I'm thinking of moving in with my parents while he's gone and waiting to buy a new house when he gets back. They've offered to help watch our daughter. I think I'm about to find out how good my coping skills actually are!

[RNnL&D]

I agree with SBE. With your experience, GYN surgery might be an easier transition, but it is not really related to L&D. I would definitely try for the Mom/Baby position to get your foot in the door.

[RNnL&D]

Also, what is nurse/pt ratio. I'm assuming you take patients in pairs (mom & baby) so how many pairs assigned (so I can tell if the ratio at our hospital is safe - trust me it's not where I work now 6-8 monitored pts to 1 nurse.) Also is there usually any training provided on dealing with psychological issues ( bonding, loss of child, breastfeeding, etc.). I've read through the new to ob thread so I've seen some of the different types of assessments I'll learn. I'd appreciate any advice or info you can throw my way. Sorry, Long post!

Oh, and yes, Mom/Baby is couplet care. During the day, our nurses take 4 couplets, at night, 5. And yes, there is training for breastfeeding, fetal loss, etc.

[nursedude1]

I agree with smiling. I started my nursing career on a high-risk antepartum / GYN combined unit. The GYN stuff really has nothing to do with L&D - they're at opposite ends of the reproductive spectrum. You might look at the high-risk OB unit as well if they are hiring. It would likely be a less intimidating introduction into the world of OB for you without the steep learning curve of L&D.