New nurse cross-training in 6 different OB areas??

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Specializes in High-risk OB, Labor & Delivery.

Hello All :)

So I finally had the honor of interviewing on an L&D unit. I have been trying to get into Perinatal nursing for the past 5 months and I have just over one year of nursing experience. During the interview, the managers indicated that they would want to train me in every single Perinatal area they have at the hospital, if hired. That means, NICU, PP, the birthing unit, OR, recovery, in addition to L&D. I think this may be a wonderful opportunity and I am excited about OB nursing and an avid learner, but does this seem reasonable? I can understand cross training in at least 1-2 other areas in addition to L&D, but 6 areas for a nurse completely new to OB?

Has anyone new to L&D done this? What was your experience like?

Thanks for reading and for your replies :)

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Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.

If you're going to do L&D, it's typical that you would also be cross-trained in OR and PACU (not sure what you mean by "birthing unit" - wouldn't that be the same as L&D?). And I would expect anyone who is hired into L&D would be cross-trained in postpartum/couplet/well baby. The only one I might question is NICU, because that's such a specialized and technical area, but a lot of that depends on the level - if it's a basic level 2, that would just be stuff like IVs, abx, feeder/growers, bill lights, nasal cannula O2, etc. Not too complicated or difficult to learn. I would hope, though, that they would immerse you in only one area at a time and allow you several months in JUST that area before moving onto a different area.

But learning OR and PACU is all part of learning L&D. It's a lot to learn and very challenging, but so interesting if it's an area you enjoy!

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Specializes in High-risk OB, Labor & Delivery.

Thanks for your thoughts klone!

I was actually just going to go back and edit this post because I know that it really isn't 6 different areas because PACU and OR are apart of L&D. More like 2-3 areas. Not sure what the manager meant by "birthing unit." Maybe I misheard. At any rate, I agree with you regarding questioning the NICU part and they actually have a level III NICU there. And the manager said that I would only be in L&D for a few months before going to another area.

OB nursing IS an area that I'm really interested in, but I want to have a good grasp on one area first, rather than be a jack of all trades, master of none.

Thanks again :)

If you're going to do L&D, it's typical that you would also be cross-trained in OR and PACU (not sure what you mean by "birthing unit" - wouldn't that be the same as L&D?). And I would expect anyone who is hired into L&D would be cross-trained in postpartum/couplet/well baby. The only one I might question is NICU, because that's such a specialized and technical area, but a lot of that depends on the level - if it's a basic level 2, that would just be stuff like IVs, abx, feeder/growers, bill lights, nasal cannula O2, etc. Not too complicated or difficult to learn. I would hope, though, that they would immerse you in only one area at a time and allow you several months in JUST that area before moving onto a different area.

But learning OR and PACU is all part of learning L&D. It's a lot to learn and very challenging, but so interesting if it's an area you enjoy!

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Learn everything you possibly can. I do think you probably can't really master an area without at least a year's time spent in it. But don't pass up this opportunity if you receive it.

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Specializes in Ortho/trauma acute care/med surg.

Oh my, sorry for the sarcasm but there are nurses out there without a job period, if I were you I would cross train in 12 different places. BTW did you get the job?

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Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.
Oh my, sorry for the sarcasm but there are nurses out there without a job period, if I were you I would cross train in 12 different places. BTW did you get the job?

I don't think it's a matter of her being unwilling or ungrateful; it's a matter of patient safety, and being able to master a very specialized and technical nursing area. There's nothing wrong with questioning that, and it has nothing to do with feeling fortunate (or not) that she has a job. I think that's an unfair statement to make.

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O

I don't think it's a matter of her being unwilling or ungrateful; it's a matter of patient safety, and being able to master a very specialized and technical nursing area. There's nothing wrong with questioning that, and it has nothing to do with feeling fortunate (or not) that she has a job. I think that's an unfair statement to make.

Yep. If you find yourself in a situation that costs you your licence then you won't have ANY job. By the way I would figure any cross training to a Level III NICU would be to take care of "feeder growers" when they are short handed. That's what our well baby nurses and occasionally PICU nurses do.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Neuro, ICU, travel RN, Psych.

Did she give you a time frame for when you would be cross training in all these areas? Being that NICU is such a specialty, maybe she meant in the future... not necessarily right in the beginning. Just meaning that they prefer all the staff to be cross trained at some point?

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Specializes in High-risk OB, Labor & Delivery.

Simply Complicated,

The manager only said that I would only be training in L&D for a few months then move on, so I don't know what the time frames are for the other areas. I hope to find out more information next week.

Did she give you a time frame for when you would be cross training in all these areas? Being that NICU is such a specialty, maybe she meant in the future... not necessarily right in the beginning. Just meaning that they prefer all the staff to be cross trained at some point?
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Specializes in High-risk OB, Labor & Delivery.

Exactly. I would love to be an expert in all things perinatal, but without thorough training and orientation I would be concerned about patient safety and even the burden I would place on my co-workers.

Thank you all for your feedback on this subject :-)

O

Yep. If you find yourself in a situation that costs you your licence then you won't have ANY job. By the way I would figure any cross training to a Level III NICU would be to take care of "feeder growers" when they are short handed. That's what our well baby nurses and occasionally PICU nurses do.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Neuro, ICU, travel RN, Psych.
Simply Complicated,

The manager only said that I would only be training in L&D for a few months then move on, so I don't know what the time frames are for the other areas. I hope to find out more information next week.

Well good luck!!!

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Specializes in Cardiac.

wow, sounds exciting and like you will learn alot! Congrats!

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