Is it better to pick one OB area or cross-train?

[missyl670]

What's your opinion? We have two area hospitals with OB units. One hospital you cross-train and rotate working L&D, PP, and nursery. The other hospital you just work one area all the time. Which do you feel would be the best? I used to work at the one where we cross-trained and it was very overwhelming to learn three areas at once. Nursery was my favorite. However, I noticed that if we became swamped in one area it was nice to be able to grab another nurse to help who knew exactly what to do. I also liked the variety but I never did get to feel very comfortable with L&D. When I had my own babies in the other hospital those nurses said it was so nice to have just one area because you became very good and knowlegeable in it, not to mention comfortable, much quicker. I just wondered what you all though. I left the hospital to go to a school nursing job. I did that for 5 years and then quit (the only thing I liked about that job was the hours) and have been raising my own kids for the last nine years. I'm ready to go back but I was told since I've been out so long I have to spend six months on med-surg first-uggh! I'll do it but I just wasn't sure which hospital set-up would be best. Thanks!!!

[VTBabyNurse]

I work in a community hospital where L&D and postpartum/nursery are separated. I prefer being a baby nurse because I can go to deliveries, or take care of sick transitioning babies, or normal wellborn babies. It also works for me because I prefer taking care of babies instead of mothers.

Other things you might think about are what type of client does each hospital serve. We take care of some private patients and a lot of low-income, poorly educated patients. Unfortunately we see a lot of sad cases of drug abuse, or teenage/unwed mothers, or mothers who don't want their baby, etc. We have about 350 deliveries per month, which makes it very busy for us. But I enjoy caring for my patients and being busy.

The LDRP hospital in town serves only private patients. Their census is a lot lower than ours. This may mean the nurses have more time to spend with the patient? I have never worked in that type of environment though so I can't say which is better to do as far as being a jack of all trades or specializing in one area.

These are things to think about when applying.

Are they making you do med/surg first? That stinks!

If you like taking care of mothers and babies then maybe rotating would be good for you. Good luck on whatever you decide!

[MemphisOBRNC, BSN, RN]

You must maintain you level of expertise in you primary area but it never hurts to have a variable skill set to work in the other areas. I have worked the last 2 years doing LDRP. My expertise is L&D. I feel I am pretty strong in PP and Nursery but neither is my primary area. I do normal, routine care but will send the baby to the baby pros (NICU nurses) if there is any question about something going on.

[fergus51]

I prefer cross training. I think it does serve the unit better and it does create a better relationship between areas. L&D nurses won't get into as many fights with nursery or post partum if they are working there next week. Plus, I think it makes you a better nurse overall to get more experience. If you ever need to get another job, you are going to have a lot more opportunities.

[DEB52]

In our hospital Ante-partum and L/D are cross-trained to each other. And Mother-Baby and the NBICU are cross-trained to each other. A new employee is not cross-trained until she has worked her primary unit for 6 months. Everyone takes turns going to their cross-trained unit as the need arrives. It does cause arguments most of the time between the units. It's hard to convince people that it's being done for the best interest of the patients. Because they don't go to their cross-trained area that often. They may feel out of place, out of their comfort zone and they can't find anything. When I worked between L/D and ante-partum, I loved and hated it. It depended on how busy and tired I was. Now I work antepartum and love but sometimes I do miss the deliveries.:smiley_ab :cheers:

[HazeKomp, BSN, RN]

I prefer cross training. I think it does serve the unit better and it does create a better relationship between areas. L&D nurses won't get into as many fights with nursery or post partum if they are working there next week.

I have to agree that the rapport between units is much better when everyone is cross-trained.

But having said that, I prefer working purely in L&D! I am an "adrenaline junkie" and prefer the 1:1 interactions of L&D to the tasks of the nursery or post-partum roles. I know enough about the other areas to "pinch hit" if they are really hard up for help, but I do not find them to be my cup of tea.

[nursepeggysue]

I WANT to cross train but am having trouble finding graduate position for that.

Can anyone help me find hospital to cross train??

[bagladyrn, RN]

In the long run cross training will stand you in better stead. It never hurts to have the additional skills. Before I was a travel nurse I worked ina hospital where we cross trained to all areas of OB - L&D, PP, Nsy, Ante, and Gyn. Now as a traveler I find it works well for me in finding contracts - I have many more openings and hospitals like knowing that even if I'm contracted for L&D, it's not a problem if they need me to cover PP or take care of a postop hyst.

[SmilingBluEyes]

LDRP units are your solution. They are mostly in smaller community hospitals, but if you work LDRP, you really do, do it all. I have worked LDRP units for 10 years and would not have it any other way. Good luck.

[Just_Me_2]

I WANT to cross train but am having trouble finding graduate position for that.

Can anyone help me find hospital to cross train??

I am a new grad working in a smallish hospital which crosstrains everyone to work all units. There are usually only 3 nurses scheduled at one time, so we all have to be able to help each other. Maybe going to a smaller hospital for a while would give you the opportunity you are looking for?