L&D or Mother&Baby???

KarynRN · Oct 27, 2006

I am a Mother/Baby RN and absolutely LOVE it! Working at one of the largest postpartum units in the country, I never see it as boring. We have 2 different demographics to work with and it can be very challenging. There are medical, surgical (rising C-section rates) and psychosocial implications to this field, as well as issues with PIH, Diabetes, Hemorrhage, newborn cardiac/respiratory issues, cleft lips/palate with feeding issues and aspiration risks, hypothermia problems...........and the list goes on.

It is an extremely rewarding field and one where someone with an empathetic personality (in addition to excellent assessment skills) can make such a difference in these patients' lives.

I would highly recommend any new grads work at a hospital that offers a Fellowship (classroom and hands on with a preceptor). As a preceptor, I LOVE teaching. I've heard stories where there wasn't a good match between new RN Fellow and their preceptor and if this happens or is happening to you....please speak up. This is a time of learning for you and you want to be the best you can be for you, the patient and your department.

I am also looking to get my RNC in Maternal Newborn Health....does anyone know of any good references or review courses for this exam? Thanks so much.

Best of luck :-)

Karyn