LVN/LPN in L&D

SmilingBluEyes · May 3, 2004

I can't speak for all units, but as an LVN you won't find work in OB anywhere in my area. It's just not practical, since RN's have to supervise everything they do and LVN's cannot take care of labor patients. Maybe in postpartum/mother-baby in some hospitals, but not in L and D here. And not in pp/mother-baby either these days.

I wish you well. Ask around; there may be units there that DO hire lpn/lvn's. I hope there are for you; I can see this is what you really want. But from what I am seeing, it's increasingly rare nowadays to hire LPN's in OB.

calimarinewife · May 3, 2004

Thanks for your reply. That's kind of what I figured. I know I will get to L&D eventually, and the journey there is bound to be educational. I'm sure it will all work out the way it is meant to. Thanks again, Heather

SmilingBluEyes · May 3, 2004

DO CHECK the units where you are, tho, before you give up hope, ok? It's different everywhere!!

nurturing_angel · May 3, 2004

I worked postpartum/nursery as a LPN for many years til I became a RN. My desire to work in labor and delivery is what kept me going during my school days to become a RN. I suggest that if this is what you want to do, look for a job working mother/baby care in a hospital where you are not isolated from the labor nurses. Then soak in their knowledge. The labor nurses I worked with knew of my desire to work labor and delivery and they were wonderful at teaching me things, letting me observe procedures when it was allowed, and keeping me updated with changes in the specialty. I will never forget them and the role they played in making me love Maternity even more.

:balloons:

imenid37 · May 3, 2004

We have LPN's here in PA who work mother-baby and help w/ babies at delivery (they can't initial assessment). I hope you find a position you like and that you further your education. Best of luck and many congrats on finishing LPN school. You can do Excelsior while you're on the move. Several of the RN's I work w/ who were LPN's did this.

calimarinewife · May 3, 2004

Thanks for replying, very incitful and inspiring, I will definatley look into the mother/baby/postpartum unit. Thanks again, Heather

BabyRN2Be · May 3, 2004

I am going to be graduating my lvn program in Sept, I'm planning on getting my RN in the future but don't know how long that will take since my hubby's in the Marines and we move around frequently. I want to work in L&D, but can I do that just as a LVN, since IV push meds aren't in my scope of practice? TIA

The problem is that a few patients need IV meds in L&D whether it be Stadol, Phenergan, etc. and as you said, pushing IV meds is not within your scope of practice.

Like everyone else has said, definitely try to find a job in mother/baby and then WHEN you get your RN (not if, :)) you have some baby experience when you do work for an L&D floor.

Best of luck to you!

Brenda-RN,BSN, WA. · May 3, 2004

I am an RN in a post partum unit in Wa. state. We do not hire LPN's in L&D. However, we do in post partum. I worked as a post partum nurse as an LPN while going to school to get my BSN. Some advice for you, get a position in mother/baby, and if you have time during a shift go over to L&D and offer to help recover patients who have already delivered, or ask if there is anything you can observe, or help with. This will get your foot in the door, and the L&D nurses will greatly appreciate you, and remember you when you do become an RN. I have thought of going into L&D myself, and I think I'd be able to because I'm always going over to help them when I'm not busy with my mom/baby couplets. Becuase of this, they all know me, and have said that if I want a residency there just to let my manager know and they will talk to her. It's nice to help each other out. Unfortunately L&D is not a good place for an LPN to work. I can say this because of my being one. You really need more education and experience to work in L&D. It is considered a critical care unit, at least at the hospital where I work. Those nurses are wonderful, and have to make split second decisions. Good luck, and go for your RN, it's worth it!

I am going to be graduating my lvn program in Sept, I'm planning on getting my RN in the future but don't know how long that will take since my hubby's in the Marines and we move around frequently. I want to work in L&D, but can I do that just as a LVN, since IV push meds aren't in my scope of practice? TIA

MaggieJo · May 3, 2004

Hey, just wanted to let you know, that I used to volunteer for L&D, and at this particular hospital, they did have an LPN that worked in L&D. I don't know what her job description included, but she had been there a while and was very highly respected. Make sure that you research your area.

-Maggie