Interested in becoming a Neo-natal/Obstetrics Nurse

Soon2BNurse · May 17, 2005

I know there will be better replies than mine, but I just had to chime in.

I am currently changing the way I am getting into nursing school by going to a community college instead. I have learned through what I have gone through so far is that when you are in nursing school, you will learn almost ALL aspects of nursing (not saying you'll learn everything you need to learn), whether it be L&D, gyno, geriatrics, mental disease, etc. You say you want to go into a specific department. Will you be able to handle learning everything else until you are able to attempt what you want? Would you be able to do your clinicals and care for patients that have nothing to do with neonatal or ob? I am not trying to be rude, but I had the same mindset when I first started and have since changed my thinking so I can succeed in nursing school and hopefully get where I want to be.

Good luck!

ER1010 · May 17, 2005

Although it may not be the "best" attitude, I don't see why it isn't ok, as long as you are realistic. OB patients can have all sorts of medical and surgical complications. You will need to know all about disease in order to take good care of those patients. As far as neonatal goes, those babies are often VERY sick! So, as long as you realize that your adult medical rotation is important even though you have no plans to work in that area you are fine. Psych will be important because you can have psych OB patients, and nicu families would certainly be going through psychological issues. See where I am going...?

So, the moral of the story is, yes, you can be only interested in a few areas. I know I am. But the more schooling you go through, he more you will realize that 1) they are all inter-related and 2) you are interested in more than you think you are.

Hope this helps,

ER

Jolie, BSN · May 17, 2005

As long as you recognize that your training will involve all aspects of human wellness, illness, and dying, and you vow to provide compassionate and respectful care to all patients: young, old, wealthy, impoverished, mentally-ill, etc. I see no problem with your ultimate goal.

Once in practice, we all gravitate towards the areas of care and types of patients that interest us.

I graduated from college vowing never to take care of a sick adult as long as I lived. Thank Goodness, so far, I haven't had to!

I thank my lucky stars that there are med/surg, ER, and psych nurses who excel at, and enjoy what they do. They free up mother-baby for the likes of me!