I got a mother/baby preceptorship

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Specializes in NICU, PICU.

Hi,

I'm a senior nursing student and I got my capstone preceptorship placement today. I wanted an OB placement and was placed on a mother/baby unit. Can anyone tell me what duties to expect? I had a mother/baby clinical but it was more observational than hands on.

Also, is a mother/baby preceptorship a good precursor to a labor and delivery job? L&D is my dream (or NICU) and I was wondering if those units like to hire nurses/students who have had mother/baby experience.

Thanks!

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Specializes in Critical Care, Postpartum.

You are caring for mothers about 2 hours after delivery. You'll be assessing bleeding, fundus, pain management, assisting with breastfeeding. For c-sec patients, you'll be assessing incision site, making sure mom gets out of bed.

We do a lot with the newborns, such as administering antibiotics, State infant screening tests (PKU), congenital heart screens, Hep B shots. Every nursery is different but those are some of the things done at mine. You'll be familiar with norms and abnormal with newborns.

Moms will ask plenty of questions when it comes to caring for their newborn. Education is important in M/B.

There has been plenty of people at my hospital who started on M/B then transferred to L&D or NICU. Very different units which require special training. In L&D you have knowledge in fetal heart monitoring among other things. With NICU you are dealing with sick babies, with some requiring feeding tube placement. You'll receive special training there too.

First thing is learn and do a great job in your last semester. Apply everywhere including L&D and NICU. You just never know. My hospital hires new grads in those specialties.

Good luck!

Sent via iPink's phone using allnurses

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Specializes in NICU, PICU.

Thank you so much for your response! You have made me very excited! :)

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Congratulations getting something close to your request! Some places will hire new grads. When you apply, be sure to talk about your capstone - all nursing students have OB/GYN/M&B experience, not all get the extra capstone experience. Good luck.

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My preceptorship was on a busy L&D unit, and I think it was super influential in getting hired for my first job as an RN in L&D. Congrats!

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Specializes in L&D, infusion, urology.

I did my preceptorship in mother/baby as well. It was a great experience, and it helped me get a job at a freestanding birth center. I have a full time job in another specialty (that's the one that pays the bills), but I got a call last night to interview for the L&D unit where I precepted (per diem position). I was supposed to get a position on the mother/baby unit, but due to some politics, the offer had to be rescinded. I'm guessing the manager of MBU (who had lined up my preceptorship) spoke with the manager in L&D.

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Oh my gosh, congratulations! I have a love for women's health and just reading your post made me very excited!

If I learned anything from my preceptorship, it is to really apply all of your nursing process skills during this experience. Those will transfer anywhere you work! I hope you have had nothing but a wonderful experience! Good luck in your future career in women's health :)

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