I would like to work in labor and delivery. What should I specialize in?

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Hello, I'm planning to get a masters degree as a nurse practitioner. I would like to work in labor and deliver and Im not sure if i should specialize in neonatology or obstetrics and gynecology. Does anyone what employers would prefer?? And I have no idea what colleges would offer these specific degrees in Indiana???

Thanks!!

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Specializes in L&D and OB-GYN office.

If you want to work in L&D, you should study/specialize in obstetrics and gynecology. Neonatology is what you would study/specialize in if you wanted to work in a newborn nursery or the NICU. Generally, L&D nurses do not care for the babies, nursery/postpartum nurses or NICU nurses do. Hope this helps.

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Specializes in L&D, PP, Nursery.
If you want to work in L&D, you should study/specialize in obstetrics and gynecology. Neonatology is what you would study/specialize in if you wanted to work in a newborn nursery or the NICU. Generally, L&D nurses do not care for the babies, nursery/postpartum nurses or NICU nurses do. Hope this helps.

I agree that nurse practitioners do need to specialize in either OB or Neonatology. Howevery, at many hospitals, L&D nurses DO also take care of babies. They are the ones that take care of the baby immediately after delivery and in LDRP's they care for the infant as well as mom. Also, many hospitals crosstrain their nurses in all areas so L&D nurses also work nursery and postpartum and vice versa. I work at two hospitals that cross train and interviewed at 3 others that crosstrained also. However, NICU nurses are more specialized for the premature or compromised infants.

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If you want to catch babies, you want to be a certified nurse midwife (CNM), not an NP.

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I am in the Women's Health Nurse Practitioner (WHNP) program. I have always wanted to work in labor and delivery, but was never given the opportunity. If you want to work with delivering women, you probably should consider the Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM) route. You can also work doing prenatal care as a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP). There is an FNP program at the Indiana University at Purdue (IUPUI) and a graduate program in nurse-midwifery at the University of Indiana. Most of these schools will have distance options where you can take classes via the internet and arrange clinicals in your own community. Good luck with whatever you decide!

Wendy

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thanks! that helped alot. I would like to have the option to either deliver babies or work with the mother and baby before and after delivery. I think that the CNM looks like the best choice for me if I do end up specializing in this area.

Im not familiar with the University of Indiana..did u mean Indiana University (IU) or University of Indianapolis? They are all so similar :)

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Specializes in L&D/Maternity nursing.

CNMs still see women prenatally. I followed one for a day when I was doing my OB clinical this fall and she took office visits. Also saw gyn patients too. I liked that aspect, and was happy to observe her in that role because I've been debating whether to continue on my education as a NP is Obstetrics/Gynecology, or go for my CNM.

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Does anyone know how often CNM's are hired in L & D at hospitals? Specifically in Indiana?

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Specializes in Corrections nurse.
On 12/8/2009 at 7:25 PM, WendyKelton said:

I am in the Women's Health Nurse Practitioner (WHNP) program. I have always wanted to work in labor and delivery, but was never given the opportunity. If you want to work with delivering women, you probably should consider the Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM) route. You can also work doing prenatal care as a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP). There is an FNP program at the Indiana University at Purdue (IUPUI) and a graduate program in nurse-midwifery at the University of Indiana. Most of these schools will have distance options where you can take classes via the internet and arrange clinicals in your own community. Good luck with whatever you decide!

Wendy

 

 

I’m looking into WHNP school. I’m think I’d like to also catch babies. Could I do both whnp & CNM? Also, I work on L&D now. Will my work experience help me in whnp school?

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Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.
2 hours ago, Nurse_BelleLuxe said:

 

I’m looking into WHNP school. I’m think I’d like to also catch babies. Could I do both whnp & CNM? Also, I work on L&D now. Will my work experience help me in whnp school?

There really isn't a point in doing both WHNP and CNM, because CNM can do everything a WHNP can do, plus they can catch babies. So if you want to do women's health and catch babies, then just go for the CNM.

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Specializes in Corrections nurse.

The school I’m applying to is ADN to MSN and they only have whnp. So I’m going to start with that just because transition is less schooling. 

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I too am going for ADN to MSN, actually thinking of the ADN to CNM/WHNP program. What school are you applying to, and when?

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