I was in your shoes VERY recently...

Published

Hey, guys!

I just wanted to post a quick message. I'm currently in my fourth year of nursing school at Georgia State University. This semester, I'm taking Peds and Obstetrics. This week, I had my "a-ha!" moment and decided to focus in Labor and Delivery after working with some newborns and mothers and witnessing four births in one morning. This all seemed super far away to me two years ago, but here I am...

If anyone has any questions at all, I'd love to answer them for you (to the best of my ability). This forum was so helpful to me when I finished my first degree and decided to go straight back into school for my pre-reqs to the program. The agonizing stress of filling out that application and waiting on a response? Yeah, I remember it well. And I remember all of the nursing students who helped me with my questions in this forum.

Right now, I have a small lull before the first round of tests begin, and I'd love to talk with whoever would like!

- Stevie :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I currently have no interest in pursuing this specialty, but I like to inquire and I'm always open to hear experiences and learn things. How common is it, in your experience, for males to work in L&D/OB/Peds? And do you feel there is a perception of inappropriateness (for lack of a better word) with male RNs in this field? I work in a hospital now and there isn't a single male in L&D, haha.

Also, congrats on discovering your passion.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I'm 99% sure that I want to specialize in L&D when I graduate. I've always had a fascination with pregnancy and birth and after witnessing my sister's birth that was it for me. I knew it's what I wanted. I guess my question would be how do you best manage your study time? I'm in my second "pre-professional" semester before the full on nursing school starts, and already this term is more challenging than last. I have Intro to Nursing this semester and clinicals starting in April. So...how have you studied all this time?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in L&D, infusion, urology.

When I had my son, one of my L&D nurses was a male. He does get some requests for a female nurse instead, which he takes in stride, but he was AWESOME with me. I felt no different having him than I would with a female, based on gender alone. His approach was a little different, simply because he IS a male, but he was awesome nonetheless.

But you are correct, there are very few men who go into that department, as nurses.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in L&D, infusion, urology.
I currently have no interest in pursuing this specialty, but I like to inquire and I'm always open to hear experiences and learn things. How common is it, in your experience, for males to work in L&D/OB/Peds? And do you feel there is a perception of inappropriateness (for lack of a better word) with male RNs in this field? I work in a hospital now and there isn't a single male in L&D, haha.

Also, congrats on discovering your passion.

See my response above- for whatever reason it didn't quote you! :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I want to go to GSU so bad! But i am afraid that it will be too competitive.. What GPA do they require? Please inform me!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I currently have no interest in pursuing this specialty, but I like to inquire and I'm always open to hear experiences and learn things. How common is it, in your experience, for males to work in L&D/OB/Peds? And do you feel there is a perception of inappropriateness (for lack of a better word) with male RNs in this field? I work in a hospital now and there isn't a single male in L&D, haha.

Also, congrats on discovering your passion.

Hi! To be honest, I haven't seen many males in the L&D section of the hospital I'm currently working in - due to this, it's pretty difficult to answer regarding stigma. I'm sure many male nurses work in Peds - I can't imagine there would be any sort of perception of inappropriateness there at all. And I'd be completely comfortable with a male nurse during delivery. I wish I could give a better answer!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I'm 99% sure that I want to specialize in L&D when I graduate. I've always had a fascination with pregnancy and birth and after witnessing my sister's birth that was it for me. I knew it's what I wanted. I guess my question would be how do you best manage your study time? I'm in my second "pre-professional" semester before the full on nursing school starts, and already this term is more challenging than last. I have Intro to Nursing this semester and clinicals starting in April. So...how have you studied all this time?

You just have to find your own methods. It takes trial and error. I'm not a flash card person myself, but I know many folks who are. I tend to make a 50+ page of notes for each test and read them over and over. I also find the Davis's Success Series to be incredibly helpful. Essentially, they're books full of NCLEX-style questions that help you better understand how "nursing questions" are asked. Good luck and CONGRATULATIONS! You've got this! :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I want to go to GSU so bad! But i am afraid that it will be too competitive.. What GPA do they require? Please inform me!

They use a few factors to determine who makes it in, and GPA is a big one... I'm not sure of the range they accept. Mine was around a 3.7 (which is actually on the lower end), but my TEAS was a 92.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion