L&D or Postpartum for a new nurse

[OBGYN*RN]

hello everyone, i know everyone is probably sick of these questions about new nurses and OB lol..but I was just curious about what direction I need to go in. I graduate in june from a BSN program and I am extremely interested in OB nursing. I love it, live it, breathe it. I do not have a preference as to whether I work in L&D or postpartum when I graduate, I just wanted to know as a new nurse do you think it would serve me better to work in postpartum first..get use to working with newborns and moms and then try to move to L&D after about a year or do you think it would be better to try to get in L&D if im able to right after college. I love both areas so either one would make me happy. My concern was that some people say in postpartum you lose your skills so I just wanted some advice. And also since OB is so popular..when should I start applying for positions.

[Elvish, BSN, DNP, RN, NP]

Uhhhh, I don't know who said that working postpartum makes you lose your skills, but they were mistaken, LOL! It's not that you lose your skills, it's just that you develop a different set.

Postpartum nurses manage postpartum hemorrhages, many many faints on the way to the bathroom, babies that forget to breathe, midnight emotional meltdowns, post c/s PEs (fortunately rare), pulmonary edema (also fortunately rare), and plenty of things I can't think of at the moment.

If you work on a PP floor that also houses antepartum patients like mine does, you'll keep your skills fresh on fetal monitoring and pregnancy complications.

I would say, however, that the pace of postpartum is generally less intense than L/D. That is the one thing that, in my opinion, would have made it more suitable to me as a new grad. (I am SO not an adrenaline junkie. :)) Some places hire new grads into L/D, others don't. That just depends on the facility. One viable option might be to apply for mother/baby and work it for a year, then transfer to L/D. You will still be gaining skills you'll use in L/D, but you won't be a brand new nurse.

All that said, if your heart's desire is to do L/D, go for it! If the facility hires new grads into L/D and you get the job, there's absolutely nothing wrong with going that route. Either way, I wish you the best!!

[OBGYN*RN]

thank you so much! and yes I think I would like the fact that PP is a slower pace than L&D & seems like it would be easier to learn as a new nurse. so when is a good time to apply? I graduate in june...& since OB is so popular I know I have to be the early bird to get the worm lol

[Elvish, BSN, DNP, RN, NP]

I'd start putting out feelers around Jan or Feb. That will be your last semester of nsg school, right? You might want to call around and ask human resources when they start taking new grad applications, too. Some places may start sooner than others. I'm trying to reach back in my cobwebs to remember when I started looking, and I think it was about Jan/Feb. It would be a good idea to get an application packet, if for no other reason to see what it contains. You'll probably need some letters of recommendation from some instructors, so you might want to get a head start on that, sometime around the first of next semester. That would be my advice. :)

[SmilingBluEyes]

They are two different skill sets. You don't "lose skills" starting out in PP, you gain new ones. I recommend PP first, then L/D if you work in a place where they are separate. L/D is more intense and acute, where PP is a great place for a new nurse to start out, learning the "ropes". That is my opinion, anyhow, seeing as I have always does all-----LDRP and GYN surgical. It's a lot to learn all at once.

[OBGYN*RN]

Thank you guys so much. And for the most part, i've heard from alot of veteran nurses and my instructors that january is a safe bet to start applying. So you guys have confirmed that for me..thanks. What I'll probably do is begin calling different hospitals in my area during my winter break just to get a feel for what I need to do to get the ball rolling.

[Elvish, BSN, DNP, RN, NP]

Best of luck to you! :)

[OBGYN*RN]

Thanks! I'll keep you guys posted

[RNBelle]

I started out PP and absolutely loved it! We moved and now I do mostly L&D. I love L&D but would rather be strictly PP and nursery (only b/c I don't like the high stress situations that happen more often). One day we will move again and I can hopefully go back to PP. Every nursing job you do you will gain knowledge and new skills. Good luck!

[OBGYN*RN]

thank you!

[PinkNBlue, BSN, RN]

You know, I really appreciate those of you who said you do not lose your skills, you simply gain new ones. Because I have heard that same thing about losing skills if you go right to OB rather than a Medical floor. I am really sick of hearing that from people. And it's refreshing to hear something different and POSITIVE for a change. So thank you :) And best of luck to you, OBNurse2B2009!