Help with info on OB Nursing

MATER · Jul 10, 2006

There are 2yr and 4 yr nursing programs, I completed the 2 yr program but it took me 3 years. You have some gen ed requirements to fulfill before being accepted into a nursing program. once in the program it take 2 or 4 years to complete. Nursing is a hard program but it is rewarding. I finished my degree at age 30 so you can surely do it! Starting pay differs from region to region in Ky it is $17-18 /hr. ___GOOD LUCk!!:studyowl:

rn/writer, RN · Jul 10, 2006

hello everyone! I am new here and I have some general nursing questions. I am 22 years old and I have my highschool dipolma but no college experience yet. i haven't been able to decide what i wanted to do in life until recently when i decided i would like to go into OB nursing. my questions are basic. how long will i have to go to school for? do i need to get a degree or just a certificate? how is the pay range? and basically just anything anyone would be willing to share with me about the world of OB nursing. im nervous about going back to school and after almost 5 yrs of being out of school, its really hard to get my mind set back into the vibe. anything would help. thanks so much! i look forward to your reponses!
dawn

You need either an associate's degree in nursing or a bachelor's degree in nursing to look for a position as an OB nurse.

There have been many, many discussions on the virtues of one type of degree over another. You can scroll up to the top toolbar (gray), click on Help, choose Search from the dropdown menu, and type in BSN (the associate's degree has more than one designation) and see what comes up. I'll warn you--the subject matter has gotten heated at times. Basically, it boils down to which degree best suits your time constraints, finances, future plans, family circumstances, etc.

Once you have your degree, you can then look for a position. Some hospitals will hire new grads right into OB. Some won't. Even if you were able to determine the situation right now, things could change a lot between now and then.

Unlike doctors, nurses don't have lengthy residency periods where we learn to specialize. When we pass boards, we are all considered generalists. Orientation to a particular job is where the specialty education begins.

Many positions require previous experience in another area. Critical care jobs might require a year or two of med/surg floor nursing. Home health might require the same. But there are no hard and fast rules. There are specialty units that you'd think would require experience that hire new grads so they don't have to un-teach them conflicting information.

My best advice to you is to speak with the student advisors at several institutions near you. Community colleges, four-year schools, whatever is available. Once you've narrowed down your options (and gotten on any necessary waiting lists), start taking the pre-requisite classes that every program requires. Do make sure to find out which classes will transfer/be accepted if you decide to transfer from one school to another. This is called articulation and can be extremely important down the road.

As far as going back to school after being out for five years, adult education is a whole different ballgame. For one thing, it isn't centered around your social life like high school was.

You'll find people of all backgrounds and ages in your classes. At a community college, you'll probably be one of the younger students in the class.

The main thing now is for you to take the first steps. Come back here often to ask questions, be encouraged, get ideas, and revel in the fact that you're not alone.

I wish you well.

L&D_2b · Jul 10, 2006

hello everyone! I am new here and I have some general nursing questions. I am 22 years old and I have my highschool dipolma but no college experience yet. i haven't been able to decide what i wanted to do in life until recently when i decided i would like to go into OB nursing. my questions are basic. how long will i have to go to school for? do i need to get a degree or just a certificate? how is the pay range? and basically just anything anyone would be willing to share with me about the world of OB nursing. im nervous about going back to school and after almost 5 yrs of being out of school, its really hard to get my mind set back into the vibe. anything would help. thanks so much! i look forward to your reponses!
dawn

First, why not check out http://www.discovernursing.com ? That might answer many of your general nursing questions.

Second, yes, you would need an RN license to work in L&D. You can achieve that by either attending a diploma RN hospital based program, attend a community college for an associates degree in nursing, or a general BSN program at a university.

Also, start on your pre-requisites now. All of those programs are going to require such courses as english, psychology, math, anatomy & physiology 1 and 2, microbiology, chemistry, human development, etc.

You can also check out http://www.edukan.org or http://www.ccconline.org. Those are two places where you can take prerequisites online.

Good luck.

SmilingBluEyes · Jul 10, 2006

Great answers from our members. GOOD LUCK to you in your career pursuits!