New grad as OB nurse?

profjanmc · Mar 8, 2004

HI- I am a student nurse who will graduate with my ADN in May. I have just finished an OB rotation and I loved it. I have decided that this is the direction I would like to focus on in my nursing career. I am wondering if I should work as a med/surg nurse for a year or so and then move on to OB - or should I try to find a position in OB as a new grad? Any suggestions?

This is my dissertation topic. I am working on coming up with some real evidence as to the answer, you will hear advice both ways. I started in L&D 20 years ago and I have never regretted it! BUT, find a supportive unit with a good educational program. Good luck! Jan

rpbear · Mar 8, 2004

I just started as a new grad in L&D and I love it. My unit is very supportive with lots of education. I think it is a very good fit for me. Most of the nurses there started out as new grads. It takes a lot of dedication, but if it is what you want to do then I say go for it!

fergus51 · Mar 8, 2004

I went almost straight into L&D and don't regret it. In many countries (like the UK, Ireland, Australia, etc) this is the norm. L&D is staffed with midwives who are not expected to spend a year in med-surg before starting in OB.

JaneyW · Mar 8, 2004

I graduated in June of 2002 and went straight into L&D through a great new grad program with a lot of classroom hours. It's a great fit for me. I was already 35 with three kids of my own when I graduated and felt OK about going right into a specialty. I know myself.

Whatever you choose to do, just make sure you find a hospital that will train you well. Join AWHONN and read read read!!! There is so much to know and so much of it doesn't become clear until you see it in the clinical setting. I still learn new things all the time and I try to go to seminars and classes to get ahead. When things go bad in OB, they go bad FAST and it can be very scary. Be educated. Be a professional.

Good Luck!

SmilingBluEyes · Mar 8, 2004

straight into OB after graduation here nearly 7 years ago. No regrets. It depends on where you are; not all units hire new grads directly into OB. You need to look into the units you are interested in to see. Good luck.

newgrad2005 · Mar 11, 2004

Do L&D hiring managers prefer a BSN over an ADN? Will they hire an ADN as a new grad???

SmilingBluEyes · Mar 11, 2004

well they hired me as an ADN new grad.

L&D_RN_OH · Mar 11, 2004

well they hired me as an ADN new grad.

Me too. To be honest, as a new grad, there's not much difference between ADN and BSN as far as opportunity or pay scale. At least in this area.

CA CoCoRN, RN · Mar 12, 2004

We are unionized in my facility, so there's no diff in the pay scale between the degrees.

On topic, because of the patient population that my unit has and the advanced skill that we are required to demonstrate, I've seen many new grads come into this area and FAIL. I've found, through my registry work at other facilities, that my hospital is quite "demanding", but to me, OB is an area where you need the assessment skills to make the call, and prevent mishaps.

I'm currently precepting new orientees to L & D and it's very hard when the person is a new grad and is unsure of their "RN skills" and on top of that is trying to get into a very delicate area.

Time will tell. I'll tell you of my full opinion when I'm "done" precepting this nurse.

Bottom line, I think they should get experience first.

USA987, MSN, RN, NP · Mar 12, 2004

I graduated in June from an ADN program. Did a very short stint (4 mos.) in the ICU and moved over to maternity. The hospital I am at does LDR and PP separately, so I started in postpartum and I will orient on L&D in April....I liked that they broke it down like that. I won't learn any of the OR stuff until I hit my 1 yr. mark.

Good luck!

nekhismom · Mar 14, 2004

I have recently been offered a job as a new grad in L&D. I am an ADN prepared RN. Some hospitals will hire new grads, others won't.

If you know L&D is what you want, then take actions to get a job there. You need to be dedicated, and your assessment skills need to be good. If it's truly what you want, go for it! Best of luck to you.