How long is a nurse new to labor and delivery usually given for orientation?

ReneeRN0521 · Nov 4, 2013

I was on orientation for 12 weeks. 2 of those I was orienting to scrubbing/assisting on c/sections, 1 week I was on our antepartum unit. The rest was 4 weeks of inductions/labor, 2 weeks of c/sections, 2 weeks of high-risk/combinations(whatever we had), 1 week of random stuff where I was kind of on my own but my preceptor was still with me.

BuckRN · Nov 5, 2013

I got 16 weeks of orientation in L&D, but we are a large facility and I had to orient to circulating, PACU, and our antepartum/high risk postpartum unit. Before my official L&D orientation started, I also spent some shifts in Newborn Nurser, Postpartum, and one shift with a Lactation Consultant.

ssaarraahh · Nov 7, 2013

I had a 6 month labor and delivery orientation. We are a high risk maternity unit. The first couple of weeks was uncomplicated pregnancies. Then went up from there to inductions, moms with diabetes, pre term, pre eclamspia, tolacs, c sections, and fetal demises. My managers really wanted to make sure I was very comfortable being on my own after orientation. And I was completely comfortable.

KYgirlRN · Nov 8, 2013

I work at a large university teaching hospital. We do high risk antepartum and deliveries on our LDR unit. We scrub our sections and recover them. Most people get 12 weeks, some longer if needed. Generally, orientation isn't divided up in "this first", but just whatever is on the board.

Katie71275 · Nov 8, 2013

I had 12 weeks.

Calinurse4 · Nov 9, 2013

I am on week 3 of what will be up to 6 months of training on the L&D unit. I will also be trained to float to postpartum at some point but that's not a priority with my training since they won't use me there very often.

sarahaldean · Nov 10, 2013

Wow. Six months? Are you in California? I am in the San Diego area.

SingingBird · Nov 10, 2013

Are any of you coming into LD from another area of acute care? Or is it your first job?

luelue60 · Nov 10, 2013

I am on week 3 of what will be up to 6 months of training on the L&D unit. I will also be trained to float to postpartum at some point but that's not a priority with my training since they won't use me there very often.

Hi I'm looking into transitioning into L&D. How did you get your foot into the door and where in Cali are you located?

Calinurse4 · Nov 10, 2013

Yes, I am in California, in the East Bay Area. It is my first job and I was just very persistent I was surprised I was placed in L&D, I thought they would start me in postpartum. I did an 8 week internship in postpartum, that was my only "experience". It's been overwhelming learning how to be a new nurse while learning how to be in such a specialty; I feel like I'm starting from scratch. But I absolutely love the job and the people I am working with, so I feel very blessed.

OB-nurse2013, BSN, RN · Nov 10, 2013

We have care for normal to very high risk pregnancies on my unit. We scrub and circulate sections. I had a 12 week orientation.