L&D

midwife2b · Oct 8, 2005

I want to work in L&D what is the patient to nurse ratio on this? And if anyone works on L&D can you please be specific as to what you do? Is night shift easier still?

Staffing varies depending on whether you work in a small, medium or large hospital. USUALLY no more than 2 patients but when I worked in a small hospital this wasn't always the case. AAP/ACOG give guidelines for staffing and it is just easier to accomplish when you have more available staff.

I don't think nights is easier than days. It is different. Patients are admitted for the most part at night in labor (term or preterm). If you work in a small hospital without a NICU you may stablize and transport the preterm or severely sick pregnant woman. There is less confusion at night (not as many visitors, doctors making rounds, family phone calls, etc.) And IMHO women who are sick seem sicker when it is dark outside.

In addition to labor, you may also scrub and circulate for C-sections. You may also recover C-section patients.

It might be best if you check out the hospital you are interested in working in (if they have a website check it out). Staff can give you an idea of what your job will entail.

In my first job as a L&D nurse I was also responsible for covering the ICU for 2 hours a night while the nurses took their breaks. While I was in the ICU, the supervisor was doing my job (!) Talk about diversity... but it helped me prepare for my next position in a high risk facility.

SmilingBluEyes · Oct 9, 2005

I agree wholeheartedly with the above poster. There are standards/guidelines set up by our governing organization in the USA and Canada:

http://www.awhonn.org

AWHONN.

(Association of Women's Health Obstetric Neonatal Nurses) We, as OB nurses, are bound by these standards for care and staffing. Good luck, whatever you decide and in your future endeavors! And welcome to the OB/GYN and Midwifery Forum!