Is it really possible to do L&D as a new grad with 12 weeks of orientation?

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Here's my story. I went to nursing school because I thought I wanted to do Maternity nursing. I was a straight A student. I am very book smart and have great people skills/bedside manner. I was thrilled when I landed a job in the MCC at a hospital that has a new grad residency program. I oriented for 9 weeks on a med surge unit--an experience that was horrible for me. I struggled with time management and the enormous breadth of knowledge and skills you need as a med surge nurse. I always felt like I was so slow. There was never time to really ineract with patients at a level I would like. Then I went to my OB unit where I had 10 shifts of orientation to postpartum/mother baby and the plan is for me to start L&D orientation in about 6-7 months during which I will receive "up to" 12 weeks of training--I am sure I'll need the 12 weeks if I make it that far. Working Mother baby has been "OK" for me, Although i still find it difficult to work at as fast as a pace that it seems I should working. Time management is improving but I still usually feel as though I am really slow. I really enjoy Mother/baby and believe that as time goes on I will become more efficient but I have serious concerns about my ability to be successful as a L&D nurse after only working as a nurse for about nine months total. I do not have the option of working only mother baby in my current job. I am torn beause I know my current employer has made a significant investment in me and I really do want to stay with this employer long term, however a part of me wonders if I should try to find a different job at a hospital that would allow me to work exclusively Mother/ Baby for a few years and then pursue A L&D job after having a few years of experience as an RN. Will having more experience as an RN make the transition to L&D any easier or is it challenging irregardless. Any thoughts or suggestions would be great. Thanks!

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My advice? Don't EVER fire yourself! What your feeling is 100% NORMAL- not the exception. You will only be doing yourself a disservice by prematurely abandoning a "goal" job just because of self-doubt and nerves. I suggest you stick with it until they tell YOU it's time to start looking somewhere else (unless you hate it- but that's another issue all together). Where you see yourself as slow- they see you as determined to keep up. Where you see yourself as lacking in knowledge- they see someone who is ready to learn. Nursing is a career about LEARNING your skills- NO ONE was born with it- it sounds like you already have the smarts and the people skills- everything else will just take time. Why fire yourself? Give yourself a chance!:up:

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Specializes in OB, lactation.

I did L&D as a new grad with 12 wks orientation. It isn't easy, I don't think it's really enough, but it can be done. It also depends on what you get in that 12 weeks, what experiences, what preceptor you have.

I would advise to be very proactive, ask a lot of questions, study your policies, volunteer for things you are weak in, take & show initiative. Ask which things need to be prioritized, observe what order other RN's do things so that they can work efficiently.

If you want to work L&D, go for it! Having more time may help, but at some point you may start to get to diminishing returns (on our postpartum unit, I think I'd be getting to diminishing returns by your 6-8 month mark, not that there wouldn't still be things to learn but most of the curve would be conquered).

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Specializes in Maternal - Child Health.

I think the answer to your question lies in the details.

By the time you begin orienting to L&D, you will be experienced in mother-baby. That's a great foundation, and more than most new OB nurses have when they start. Can you negotiate your L&D start date with your manager so that you are both comfortable with your skills and organization before you move on to the next step of L&D?

Also, exactly what does L&D entail at your facility? Will you care for high-risk ante-partum moms? Will you learn to scrub/circulate and recover C-section patients? Are you required to learn ACLS? All of these things factor into the amount of time that is reasonable for orientation. If your requirements include only ante-partum and laboring moms, I think 12 weeks is sufficient. Remember, even after orientation, you will not be working without the availability of experienced back-up. You won' t be expected to be able to do it all without assistance. You will be expected to be able to provide safe care for your patients, recognize when you need assistance and obtain it promptly.

If you will be expected to function in the OR, recover surgical patients and/or obtain ACLS certification, then I think 12 weeks is too little orientation time. My suggestion is to sit down with your manager and preceptor and discuss your concerns. As a former manager, I appreciate that you recognize the investment the facility has made in you and want to make good on it. Mention that to your supervisors and ask if there is a possibility of negotiating more time, if needed.

Good luck!

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Specializes in LDRP.

6 weeks L&D orientation here in a teaching hospital w/ high risk patients--I did it and am doing it. Yup, it is hard, exciting and crazy. Plus it has been the most stressful thing ever. (I oriented for 6 mos first on antepartum and mom/baby to get organization down and it STILL was a huge leap to L&D). I circulate sections as well and am still learning every day. Been off orientation for 3 mos and things are going well. Best wishes--L&D is NOT for everyone and I would trust you instincts!

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Thanks,I do have a very supportive manager that i am able to talk with about concerns and I do not believe I will be circulating for c-sections until later. Mostly laboring patients on a very supportive unit. I appreciate your feedback.

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Thanks for your input regarding whether extended Postpartum experience will really help the transition to L&D.

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Specializes in L&D, QI, Public Health.

I actually think your orientation is pretty thorough. Most L and D rotations do not look like yours. There are a lot o new grads (including myself) that went straight to L and D. No Med Surge, No Mother/Baby.

As another poster posted, don't let your insecurities overtake you. I'm still considered the 'slow one' and am working on priorities.

Give yourself some credit and continue to work through your weaknesses. You'll be fine.

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Specializes in Rural Health.

I think you are putting your cart before your horse so to speak. You have 6-7 months with mom/baby before you even have to tackle the L&D thing. Concentrate on the mom/baby for now, get yourself comfortable in that role.

After you feel confident and secure in mom/baby (which will probably happen quicker than you might think) you'll be amazed at how much more confident you'll feel about L&D.

Plus, you'll see, experience and be a part of things going on in L&D even though you are doing "just mom/baby". That exposure will also help you out tons when you reach that time.

And I'll be totally honest with you, I had 1.5 years of ER experience before I did L&D and it was TOUGH. Yes, some parts were easier as I didn't have to be taught from the ground floor up so to speak, but it was still very overwhelming and nerve wracking.

I also just started a new OB job this last week and I feel like I'm starting all over again (sigh) and I feel like I'm fumbling all over the place just taking care of mom/babies again.

You have an excellent orientation program in place and it really seems they want you to do well in their department. Trust them, trust yourself and you'll be just fine!!!

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I had 8 months PP experience and moved to another state and now am 8 wks through my 12 wk L&D orientation. One month though was PP and nursery but I was still in L&D helping when census was low. If I can get past my insecurities, you can get through yours. Yes, I am scared to death once I get off orientation, BUT I will be working with some smart nurses and I know they will continue to help and teach me along the way. Do you work days or nights? I love working nights b/c it gives me the time to wrap my head around things since it is usually a slower pace.

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I just graduated in May and started work in Sept. I did 4 weeks of med-surg and then went to L&D. The first couple of weeks I was so sure I had made the wrong decision. It is very overwhelming because we barely cover OB in school and clinicals. It was so much more to learn than I anticipated. Now things are starting to get easier and I feel like I halfway know what i'm doing! Do not change hospitals just because you think you're not ready for L&D.

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