L&D Orientation......

Halinja, BSN, RN · Feb 16, 2008

I just finished orientation. However, I think the process will be a little bit different everywhere you go.

We had some classes first, then went out on the floor with a preceptor...only I had 9 different preceptors scheduled, so the first few weeks I didn't really learn anything. All I was learning was that whatever the first nurse taught me the second one disapproved.

After I asked, they pared me down to two preceptors. The idea was to start out slow, gradually taking on one more responsibility throughout the day until you were functioning pretty much on your own.

The trouble with L&D is it is not predictable. You never know who is coming in. A precipitous labor? Or someone who will need induced? A cesarean section? A patient needing mag? So you can't really PLAN what you are going to do on a given day.

I've been on my own for two months now. I guess I learned a lot, as I'm not sinking like a stone. But even now there is SOOOOOO much yet to learn. Most everyone says it takes a year and a half before you quit feeling queasy on the way to work, and five years before you feel like you know what you are doing. Sigh. I'm still at the queasy stage.

rastanursern, MSN · Feb 16, 2008

i just finished orientation. however, i think the process will be a little bit different everywhere you go.
we had some classes first, then went out on the floor with a preceptor...only i had 9 different preceptors scheduled, so the first few weeks i didn't really learn anything. all i was learning was that whatever the first nurse taught me the second one disapproved.
lol
after i asked, they pared me down to two preceptors. the idea was to start out slow, gradually taking on one more responsibility throughout the day until you were functioning pretty much on your own.
the trouble with l&d is it is not predictable. you never know who is coming in. a precipitous labor? or someone who will need induced? a cesarean section? a patient needing mag? so you can't really plan what you are going to do on a given day.
i've been on my own for two months now. i guess i learned a lot, as i'm not sinking like a stone. but even now there is soooooo much yet to learn. most everyone says it takes a year and a half before you quit feeling queasy on the way to work, and five years before you feel like you know what you are doing. sigh. i'm still at the queasy stage.

i definitely hope it's gets better for you, thanks for the insight.

PeggyCA10RN · Feb 20, 2008

I think everywhere is different, at our hospital we give 10 days of classroom and then 6 weeks with a preceptor. Usually 4 weeks on days and then two more weeks on whatever shift your going to be working. We try to have some kind of system and learning order but since you don't know what's coming through the door that is sometimes hard. Our hospital does average 300 births a month. Our doctor's are IN HOUSE 24 hrs a day. It's the only way I'd work. It still gets crazy but our goal is to have a baby in distress out in less then 5 min. (we have our own OR's on the floor) and our own recovery room. We also have our own anesthesia 24 hrs. a day as well. It still gets crazy and very stressful at times. The expectation at our hospital is doing your own delivery and recovery within 12 weeks alone. It takes about 6 months to feel more comfortable with C-Sec etc. but you can figure about 5 yrs. to feel comfortable with all the high risk and horrible things that can and do go wrong. Maternal deaths, DIC, etc. It's the stress of always having two lives in your hands. Hang in there it will get better with time. It's certainly never a BORING specialty!

allthingsbright · Feb 24, 2008

I'm currently in orientation--it it a total of 10 weeks for me with a mix of classroom time (2 days/wk) and I work 2 twelves a week w/ my assignd preceptor. Started on mother/baby and halfway through I am being switched to APU. After my 10 weeks, I am on my own for a couple weeks in APU so "they" can watch me. Then hopefully I will start my 6 weeks of L&D orientation.

WE average 250 births a month, have docs in house, and are supposed to have distressed babies out in 5 mins as well. I work in an urban county hospital where all our patients are considered high risk.

Good luck! :)

rastanursern, MSN · Feb 26, 2008

i'm currently in orientation--it it a total of 10 weeks for me with a mix of classroom time (2 days/wk) and i work 2 twelves a week w/ my assignd preceptor. started on mother/baby and halfway through i am being switched to apu. after my 10 weeks, i am on my own for a couple weeks in apu so "they" can watch me. then hopefully i will start my 6 weeks of l&d orientation.
we average 250 births a month, have docs in house, and are supposed to have distressed babies out in 5 mins as well. i work in an urban county hospital where all our patients are considered high risk.
good luck! :)

thank you. i start next monday. the first 2 weeks, is general nsg orientation in a classroom setting. don't know what comes after that yet.