How long was your L&D orientation?

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I'm curious as to how long everyone's orientation was to labor and delivery. I had a six week orientation for my unit and was expected to be proficient with two laboring patients and circulating for c sections. Does this sound about right or was this too long or too little for orientation to L&D for a new grad?

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Specializes in L&D/postpartum.

Mine was about four months as a new grad, but I work in an LDRP so postpartum, nursery, and gyn orientation are included in that amount. I would have definitely appreciated more time, but you will still learn a lot once you're off orientation, and hopefully your coworkers will still offer you extra support as you transition to becoming more independent. Six weeks still seems pretty skimpy though...make sure you feel reasonably comfortable by that point, and don't be afraid to request a little more time if you need it.

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Specializes in L&D, PACU.

About four months on the floor

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Specializes in Rural Health.

Out of all the faults of my old job I would have to say orientation was NOT one of them. They had a great orientation process there. We are a full service OB so we do PP/NBN/L&D

New nurse: 9-11 months

Experienced nurse but new to L&D: 5-6 months

Experienced OB nurse 2-3 months.

New job I start next week has an internship program for L&D for those that do not have experience. This internship is at our sister facility that delivers 7000+ babies per year. Our facility however is MUCH smaller and we only deliver about 600 babies per year.......It's a full service OB where we do L&D/PP/NBN, circulate and scrub our sections.

New nurse: 22 weeks (2 months on the floor when you come back)

Experienced nurse but new to L&D: 12 weeks (1-2 months on the floor when you come back)

Experienced OB nurse 2 months orientation to the floor/unit with the option to take part in the internship program if the need arises.

We are expected to know how to circulate and scrub our sections too but we have a year or so to get comfortable in that role.

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Specializes in OB.

I'll be getting six months of postpartum, then L&D, and lastly scrubbing for c-sections. I can't imagine learning all of that in six weeks as a new grad. Good luck to you :)

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Thank you for your replies!

Wow, I'm beginning to feel really ripped off for my orientation. I have actually been in this position for a year and a half now, but it has been so busy lately (I will often times do 2 or 3 deliveries each shift), that I have been feeling completly overwhelmed. I am always coming across things that the provider will tell me I should have known, which got me wondering about my orientation and if it might have been too short. Don't get me wrong, my preceptor was incredible and I still call on her for help when I have questions, but the facility itself was the one that thought I was ready to be on my own after six weeks.

I am looking for a new position as I just can't seem to keep up with the pace of this L&D unit anymore. Anyone know of any great L&D units in California?

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

Mine was WAY too short at 12 weeks. For new nurses, no less than 6 months' orientation should be the rule. There is SO much to learn!

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Specializes in L&D,Wound Care, SNC.
I'm curious as to how long everyone's orientation was to labor and delivery. I had a six week orientation for my unit and was expected to be proficient with two laboring patients and circulating for c sections. Does this sound about right or was this too long or too little for orientation to L&D for a new grad?

I had pretty much the same and worked in a facility that was about as busy as the one you work in. I didn't feel like it was enough then, and I do not think it's enough now. I was a new grad when I started in L&D.

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Specializes in Rural Health.

I personally can not see how a person is expected to function as a safe and reasonable RN in any unit at 6 weeks, let alone a speciality such as L&D. There is just way to much to learn on top of learning how to be a nurse. I'm a former ER nurse who didn't have to learn how to be a nurse and I was still totally overwhelmed at week #6 in L&D.

And then units wonder why on earth they can't keep nurses. :hdvwl:

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Where I work is a LDRP ward, and we have 30 days of orientation. I'm impressed with all the time you had, girls!! It's a community hospital, but we do 3000 deliveries a year and we often have 4 or 5 pts plus their babies, whether it's one baby or twins, it doesn't change the ratio!

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

I am dismayed how little orientation is being done. This is no less than dangerous.

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I have done PP for 8 months then we moved. I am working at a small community hospital doing mostly L&D. I am in the middle of my orientation. I have done 2 wks PP and 2 wks nurs and now 4 wks of L&D. I am switching to nights next week and will orient for 4 wks on nights then supposidely on my own. I am ok with it b/c I can't stand being on days anymore - I don't jive well with my preceptor. And the preceptor I will work with on nights is amazing and smart lady. And I can handle the pace at night better. Cross your fingers for me.

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