New Job in postpartum/advice?

[MarrahRN91]

I'm starting a new job in postpartum recovery, I had a clinical in this specialty and will be working at that very same hospital and unit ironically. I originally started my career working in rehab and LTC for nearly a year so it is quite a change, but very much wanted. I was wondering if anyone could offer any advice or tips as I start this new journey as a fairly new nurse

[Postpartum RN]

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!!!

Thank you for your reply; I am excited to start finally in this specialty and think I will love it as well!

[iPink, BSN, RN]

I see I posted a year ago in here....still loving my job!

[busymsybee96]

Awesome!! I'm happy you love it!

[douxmusique]

I know this thread started a year ago, but to help any newer viewers looking for tips:

I recently started as a new grad on a mother/baby unit. Remember that culture dictates raising of children. There are so many different ways families take care of mom and infant, learning to navigate that is especially important. PP is all about education, education education. Many patients will have little to no prenatal care, many don't know anything about pregnancy, childbirth or how to care for a newborn. Hispanics will swear to you "no leche" and "no quieres" and say baby needs formula. Some middle eastern/indian patients are used to the nurse doing EVERYTHING for them (to include picking baby up from bassinet to hand to them in bed, though they are capable of doing it themselves). Many women never learned about and don't understand the presence of after pains and we have to teach about that and pain control as well. So much teaching..... I was shocked to actually see the need to teach patients SO MUCH about having a baby.

I made my own "report sheet" that I have tweaked several times to include things I always tend to forget to do or ask about (OMG did that baby have her cord clamp? I looked now I forget!). It helps me out tremendously and keeps me organized. It's not necessarily a head to toe assessment sheet, but it has the important things on there- vitals, fundal assessment, baby bracelet number, meds, routine tasks....

Don't be hard on yourself as you learn the job. If you have a question- ask. If you are concerned and uncomfortable in a situation- ask. If you need a moment to breath- say so. Use your preceptor to your advantage but within reason. Be confident in your assessment skills- you know your stuff.

[cayenne06, MSN, CNM]

l

I made my own "report sheet" that I have tweaked several times to include things I always tend to forget to do or ask about (OMG did that baby have her cord clamp? I looked now I forget!).

OMG yes. Super embarrassing to discharge a baby that still has their cord clamp on, ask me how I know lol. Or cheerfully tell mom she is ready to go home, and have her hesitantly ask me if she needed to have her saline lock removed first (in my defense, it was covered by her shirt sleeve and should have been d/c'd the shift prior, but still! I knew it was there!)

[RNcorazon]

Thank you! As a nurse and as new mother, I heard that speech about nursing for 15 min each breast every 3 hours. I was determined to breastfeed exclusively my baby, so I did, no formula, no supplements.

and I did breastfeed my baby on demand, and now she is 2, and still asks for her milk to sleep. I love it.

I hope I can became a Post partum nurse as well, and be able to teach and educate new mothers about the importance of breastfeeding your baby.