New Job in postpartum/advice?

iPink, BSN, RN · Sep 26, 2014

Congrats!

I'm new to postpartum (been here 6 months now). I came from an ICU stepdown and wouldn't turn back.

You have an advantage because you did your Clinicals there so you have some insight on how the unit functions. Hopefully you have your OB book and take notes when you're on orientation. I don't do recovery because the hospital is so large everything is separated.

Good luck!

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MarrahRN91 · Sep 26, 2014

Thanks and I just found out I'll be taking a few classes during orientation so that will be helpful. I still have my workbook and an old OB book. I'm glad your liking PP :)

Shantinaa · Sep 27, 2014

I was just about to post this same question! I'm a new grad and I'm in the process of being hired onto a postpartum unit. I'd love to hear what someone who is experienced in this field would suggest to a new nurse.

j0yegan · Sep 28, 2014

Take as many notes as possible... even phone numbers!!! It's always nice having a resource to look back at so you're not asking people the same question over and over again. Collect as many postpartum materials too to go over... even old OB books you had in nursing school.

iPink, BSN, RN · Sep 28, 2014

Thanks and I just found out I'll be taking a few classes during orientation so that will be helpful. I still have my workbook and an old OB book. I'm glad your liking PP :)

I took some classes as well during orientation, which included Lactation. That class helped a lot when trying to help my moms who are trying to breastfeed. I was given a binder during orientation from my nurse educator, which included phone numbers and unit protocols. That binder is kept in my locker at work, it has so much info. If you aren't given one, you should consider making one if you find it'll be helpful. If not, a small pocket sized notebook to write your notes is always helpful when referencing.

I went from giving about 10 meds to my patients on my previous unit, to giving 1-2 on postpartum. ?

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busymsybee96 · Oct 13, 2014

I have been a mother/baby nurse for over 18 years and LOVE it! I have also worked briefly in L&D and a pediatric office. I did 3 years of management, but returned to bedside nursing because I missed my moms & babies. My favorite part of mother/baby is teaching. I work nights, so I get to really support my breastfeeding moms and do a lot of teaching on infant care & breastfeeding. I still have a little notebook that I keep in my bag with unit specific notes (ie: VS frequencies, baby antibiotic set ups, etc...). I would encourage you to absorb all you can your first year. Then work towards your certification (if you still enjoy M/B). I have maintained my certification in maternal-newborn nursing since 2000. I also have my certification as a breastfeeding educator. Always remember that we are here to support and educate these new moms. Sometimes we cannot prevent sharing our personal stories & advice; however, these babies are not ours. We need to provide the education and support the mothers' wishes. Some women can get pretty "needy" during their postpartum period. You don't know where this mother came from and what she is going home to, so try to keep an open mind, patience, and compassion when dealing with your moms. Best of luck to you! I hope you love it as much as I do!

cayenne06, MSN, CNM · Oct 13, 2014

If I could only give one piece of advice, it would be to do everything you can to become fluent in breastfeeding support- it never ceases to shock me how many LDRP nurses are clueless about lactation, or EVEN WORSE, are giving outdated, harmful advice to mothers~"don't let her nurse more frequently than every 3 hours! 15 minutes max on each side! You'd better supplement that 9lb baby, just in case."

If mom wants to nurse, your goal should be to have that kid exclusively breastfeeding at discharge. Do not recommend supplements unless you have a clear medical reason to do so- and again, misinformation is RIFE, even among pediatricians. Build your own knowledge base so you can have the wherewithal to question sketchy supplementation orders. Hopefully your facility has a LC- make friends with her!

If your facility still gives out formula samples, remember that breastfeeding success is undermined by the presence of formula in the house. I work at two facilities in LDRP- one of them gives out formula samples and branded merchandise- I don't give any of it to moms who want to exclusively breastfeed unless they ask me for it, in which case I explain my rationale before giving it to them.

OB is a specialty rife with outdated practice. You won't see quite so much of that in PP, but keep it in mind as you familiarize yourself with the specialty.

Oh! It's also prudent to become familiar with the social services available in your area- lots of new families need help accessing WIC, healthy start programs, etc. Again, become friends with your facility's SW. And I agree with a previous poster- education is a cornerstone of postpartum nursing. Most of these patients- moms and babies- are healthy and stable.

heartsgal, ADN, RN · Oct 25, 2014

It's ridiculous with information at our fingertips and so readily available, any prudent nurse would give a new mom such outdated advice. I am glad I found this thread though, because I am applying for a transfer to pp from an acute in patient rehab unit. Postpartum has been a goal of mine since before nursing school. I also want to obtain my CLC or IBCLC as soon as I earn enough contact hours and I've wanted to do this for several years now. After reading your comment and others here, when I emailed the unit manager of women's services I included that information as well as my passion to be a pp nurse. Hopefully it will help land me an interview. Fingers crossed?

nycRN3 · Nov 1, 2014

I am new to PP/Mother-Baby. I have been in "classroom" for sometime and have spent a total of 4 days orienting on the floor. I will be orienting on the unit for 8 weeks. The most common advice I have seen on this forum is to, "ask questions." I always use to roll my eyes at that tip of advice but it is so true. I find that when I assume I know what to do or what something means I am usually wrong and it is better to ask.

Offer your help when appropriate. In the beginning of your orientation they most likely won't expect or ask for you to do anything complicated. Doing this does two things: It shows your enthusiasm to be a part of the team and it provides you with the opportunity to learn how to navigate through the unit and locate things.

Do some learning on your own. I have a desire to be the best OB nurse I can possibly be and to do so I can't rely on the hospital to teach me everything there is to know (not to say that the hospital is not capable of doing so or that it is even possible for me to learn everything). By learning outside of the clinical setting your able to make links in your mind and you'll find that things will become less complicated.

If you have a nurse educator take full advantage of them. They now the ins and outs of their department/unit. They'll be able to provide you with resources and schedule for available classes that will help you become a great nurse.

Get to know other staff members. I think it is a HUGE mistake to think that only the doctors and nurses are significant. Every member of the team plays an important role in patient satisfaction in my opinion.

Hope that was helpful.

Postpartum RN · Sep 16, 2015

I have been a mother/baby nurse for over 18 years and LOVE it! I have also worked briefly in L&D and a pediatric office. I did 3 years of management, but returned to bedside nursing because I missed my moms & babies. My favorite part of mother/baby is teaching. I work nights, so I get to really support my breastfeeding moms and do a lot of teaching on infant care & breastfeeding. I still have a little notebook that I keep in my bag with unit specific notes (ie: VS frequencies, baby antibiotic set ups, etc...). I would encourage you to absorb all you can your first year. Then work towards your certification (if you still enjoy M/B). I have maintained my certification in maternal-newborn nursing since 2000. I also have my certification as a breastfeeding educator. Always remember that we are here to support and educate these new moms. Sometimes we cannot prevent sharing our personal stories & advice; however, these babies are not ours. We need to provide the education and support the mothers' wishes. Some women can get pretty "needy" during their postpartum period. You don't know where this mother came from and what she is going home to, so try to keep an open mind, patience, and compassion when dealing with your moms. Best of luck to you! I hope you love it as much as I do!

I was just offered a position on post partum and cannot wait to start! I do have a question, you say you obtained your certification and have maintained it, what do you mean by this, what kind of certification? Thank you

busymsybee96 · Sep 16, 2015

I have my maternal-newborn certification through NCC. Some places will pay for you to get certified & give you additional pay, but not all. You have to renew every 3 years with 45 CEUs. You have to work so many hours before applying to take the exam. I would encourage you to do it some day. I hope you love the world of OB!!!