New Nurse & OB. Is it possible?

futureRN07 · Oct 19, 2008

I entered nursing school with the intention of being an OB nurse. I graduated in June of 2007 and was hired for night shift on an L&D unit in July. I'm from Oregon and the hospital I work at has a six month internship for new L&D nurses and a very supportive staff and has you back at all times once you're on your own. I believe the hospital that I work at is the only one that hires new grads into L&D but I could be mistaken. I also want to speak to the desire to have a day shift versus night shift position. In L&D there is a big difference in the type of work you will do and the environment that you will work in depending of your shift. Day shift had MANY scheduled procedures such as inductions, cesarean sections, NTS's, and many more triage patients coming in "thinking" they're in labor. Not to mention many more management and Dr.'s running around creating a high stress and chaotic atmosphere. On night shift you generally have the inductions from the morning finally getting ready to deliver, less triage patients but more of them who are actually in labor, fewer cesarean sections, and no management running around. I also find that you have a lot more atomomy at night and ability to manage your patient's care because most of the time the Dr.'s aren't present and they're relying on your eyes and your judgement. And we get a very nice pay differential for working nights which makes it well worth it in my mind.

mom2michael, MSN, RN, NP · Oct 19, 2008

Yes, you can work in OB when you graduate. Just find the right job and/or facility that meets your needs not only as a new grad but as a new nurse. Those jobs are there, you just have to be willing to look and put forth the effort.

As far as shift goes - if you want the job you'll figure out a way to make the "less desirable shift" work for you. Keep in mine though, sometimes DAYS is the less desirable shift in OB and nights is the one that is sought after :lol2:

Always keep an open mind wherever you go in nursing.

And just food for thought here - OB nursing can be more than just Labor and Delivery. Some facilities have great high risk units, postpartum/well baby care, a NICU, well baby nursery, peds units, etc.... The focus (at least around where I live) is more of a Women and Children Unit vs. the standard OB floor. Great opportunities though for TONS of experience in a wide variety of areas.

Keep an open mind, be willing to learn anything and everything you can and you'll do just fine.

Good luck!!!

OBGYN*RN · Oct 19, 2008

Thank you guys sooo much for the positive feedback. I will definetely be looking far and wide to see if I can land a job in OB when I graduate. Im so excited to be finished with school in a few months and start working as a nurse. Now I do feel better that I know that it IS possible..maybe difficult but it is possible.

OBLOVER73 · Oct 19, 2008

Yes I am proof. I have been an ob nurse for 11.5 years. I started fresh out of school. I was like you -willing to go where I needed to get the training needed. I was able to find a hospital that was starting an ob internship. I applied and was accepted. Now with the beauty of the internet I would start searching for internship programs. You may have better luck with larger hospitals. I have never muttered the words -oh I wish I would have gotten some med surge expierience. With any area you choose in nursing it is important to you and your pt's to keep up on latest practices and keep yourself open to learning if you don't know about something ask, research, and learn. If you ever get to a point in your nursing career when you think you know it all it's time to find another profession. I wish you good luck with your adventures and ohh I remember the good ol days of just starting out--- How exciting! :nurse:

annabanana1219 · Oct 19, 2008

I'm in my senior year of nursing school (BSN program) and I absolutely LOVE OB nursing. I have never enjoyed a clinical rotation as much as I did my OB one. Loved studying the coursework..loved my hours in the hospital during my rotation I love it all.. L&D..PostPartum..Antepartum..all of it. My clinical instructor really inspired me and really helped me put into perspective what I feel my calling in nursing is. Anyway, I know for a fact that as a nurse I want to work in OB BUT I heard from a few nurses that its nearly impossible to get hired as a OB nurse fresh out of college. Although I actually worked with a nurse preceptor who was training a nurse in L&D who had just graduated so I guess it is possible for some. I dont have any preference as to where I work..L&D, postpartum or antepartum are all great. So I wanted to know what are the chances of me being able to pull off getting hired in OB right out of college and what could help my chances. I only have a few months left until graduation and im really trying to be smart and get an idea of what direction I need to go in as these few months will fly by.
Just as a little background info..I am a really good student in class as well as clinics..have a 3.8 cummulative GPA as of right now. Not that grades mean everything..but hopefully that would help.

I think that if you feel so strongly about it that you should persue it with all of your heart.:redbeathe

There are lots of hospitals where I live and there is always an opening somewhere. If you keep an open mind about where you are willing to work and the salary you are willing to accept then there should be endless possibilities. You may even find one that has an internship for 3-6 months and you will always have your preceptor to lean on.

I wish you luck in your pursuits!:loveya: