New OB Nurses, Grads and Students, Please Feel Free to post your questions here:

Specialties Ob/Gyn

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Mugwump had a great idea offering services to new grads as a mentor (thank you for that!)

So, I thought having a "sticky" for new grads, OB nurses, students, and others with questions who want to post these can do so here. We also seem to see many of the same questions over and over, so perhaps this would help serve as an ongoing discussion of common issues/questions we all seem to have on our minds. This could serve not just for those asking directly, but others who may be "lurking" and looking for information or considering a career in OB, newborn, GYN nursing, or midwifery, doula services, childbirth education, lactation consulting, or other related work.

So if any mod thinks this is a good idea, mind stickying this?

Let's give this a go and see how it works out. We have many potential "mentors" here among us who, I am sure, would LOVE to help a new nurse/midwife/doula or student on his or her way to a rewarding career. I know I would love to help out!

Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

Leo, the general rule of thumb I learned in job seminars is to put out feelers when you are 90-120 days from your availability date. You can always call HR departments for more information.

To find hospitals and (also HR departments) see this site:

http://www.hospitalsoup.com

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I am a labor and delivery/midwife hopeful.

I have applied to an accelerated BSN/MSN program that will allow me to work while doing my MSN part time so I can get a few years experience. My question is, how can I increase my chances of getting a L & D or PP job after completing my RN certification? Would becoming a childbirth educator help? No hospitals in my area allow volunteers in L & D so that't not an option. I am a working on Doula certification so I have that going for me.

Any suggestions I would love. I know some people feel direct entry programs are bad due to lack of experience, but getting the job in L & D would give me 3 or 4 years' experience. Thanks for the help!!

Many hospitals employ nurse techs. In our hospital we hire nursing students to work as patient care technicians. They see and do a lot. I have found graduate nurses who have worked in this role on the unit are more prepared for their first clinical position. On the OB units I have worked the techs start out doing nursing assistant work but mostly quickly pick up on other tasks such as setting up for delivery. It is a great learning experience and you get paid.The techs showing the most initiative have more time to help in L&D. :coollook:

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.
Many hospitals employ nurse techs. In our hospital we hire nursing students to work as patient care technicians. They see and do a lot. I have found graduate nurses who have worked in this role on the unit are more prepared for their first clinical position. On the OB units I have worked the techs start out doing nursing assistant work but mostly quickly pick up on other tasks such as setting up for delivery. It is a great learning experience and you get paid.The techs showing the most initiative have more time to help in L&D. :coollook:

very good point.

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Thanks for the response, Blu. I'm so glad that I found this website. There are so many different people with so many different kinds of advice, you know?

I'm excited about the possibility of working in OB. I always loved it when I was in school........but it's also a little scary too. I've only been a nurse for a year (one year on June 25th.....yay!), and I've already been through two different orientations, one of which was in the NICU. One of my big worries is looking like a "job-hopper." I'm desperate to find what fits me. And the NICU is not it. I mean, I love babies, but I miss interaction with adults. And adult women having babies sounds like a good combo for me, you know?

Anyway, thanks again. I will let you know how the interview goes Thursday. Talk to you again soon, I'm sure.

:nurse:

NO silly questions ever!! Please feel free to ask whatever comes to your mind. Welcome to the boards, Cyd.

It took me about 2 years' fulltime work in OB to feel at all close to "competent". It varies. You may be there sooner, but allow at least a full year to feel really any sort of confidence.

I wish you the best in your new career! Please feel free to ask anything that comes up. Always glad to mentor a New OB/GYN nurse!

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

Well, do let us know how you are doing, Cyd---as well as what you decide to do. If there is anything more we can do to help, please ask!

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Thanks a lot. Will talk to you again soon. Probably will post something tomorrow to let you know about the interview. :p

Well, do let us know how you are doing, Cyd---as well as what you decide to do. If there is anything more we can do to help, please ask!
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Hey all, especially BluEyes--

I got the job in labor and delivery! I went to the interview and she offered me the position, so I took it, of course.

I'm excited, but nervous. I start July 5th. I'm sure I will be here a lot, asking for advice. But in the meantime, if anyone has any advice for a "newbie" let me know.

Cydney

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Hey all, especially BluEyes--

I got the job in labor and delivery! I went to the interview and she offered me the position, so I took it, of course.

I'm excited, but nervous. I start July 5th. I'm sure I will be here a lot, asking for advice. But in the meantime, if anyone has any advice for a "newbie" let me know.

Cydney

Ohhhhh HOW GREAT... I AM HAPPY FOR YOU..... i am so glad you got the job...

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOOO way to go Cyd! Just remember, we are a resource for you. You will have questions, please ask us!!!

CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU, and welcome to OB NURSING!

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Hi all-

to you experienced OB RN's out there - do the experienced ones get to do things without orders - such as dc'ing IV fluids post c/s, or advancing a diet - like if you knew a doctor would let you get away with it? The facility that fired me was furious that I did such a thing -UNDER THE ADVICE OF THE PRECEPTOR- which did not help my defense. I have moved on and started working in M/S at another facility where I've been assured a job in OB after 6-12 months, but I can't help looking in the rear view mirror on occasion. At my former employer, this kind of thing was just an everyday occurence that was done by mainly the 15+ yrs nurses. Also, what is "normal" behavior for a new grad? Is it ok to be relearning things that we've seen once upon a time in nursing school? Is it supposed to be like being a student again?? I feel so stupid and slow with everything I do, and I just can't picture myself being as confident and proficient as these nurses I work with. Just basic things, I go in there to take vitals and flush an IV and I'm so busy with the tasks that I am trying to do that I haven't even asked the patient how they're doing! I think I'm a good nurse, and I love being a nurse, but I feel so defined by having been fired. Like It's a scar I can never cover up. I went to graduation and walked this weekend (I "graduated" in december without the rest of my class - I walked with the class behind me) - I couldn't feel proud of myself like everyone else was - I hoped no one would ask me what I've been doing since december. I finally got my depression and anxiety under control with the help of accupuncture (I am finally med-free!! :) ) - so I feel ready to handle working again despite being unsure of myself. I know it takes that magic "year" to feel ok about being a nurse, but every day I ask myself if maybe they were right, and I am not a good nurse? What do I know about whether I'm a good nurse or not?

Sorry I'm going on an on. My family thinks I'm pretty much over it, but the scab got knocked off this weekend at graduation.

Thanks for your advice, and thankyou to anyone who prayed for me when I originally wrote about losing my job.

-L.

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Hi everyone,

A friend of mine was in labour and an epidural was put in place. What exactly do they do with an epidural? administer medication? not exactly sure......she ended up loosing the baby.

Any answers would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!!

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Specializes in L&D all the way baby!.
Hi everyone,

A friend of mine was in labour and an epidural was put in place. What exactly do they do with an epidural? administer medication? not exactly sure......she ended up loosing the baby.

Any answers would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!!

I'm so sorry for your friend. Losing a child is one of the most painful experiences one can have.

To answer your question. Yes. An epidual is a way of administering medication through the epidural space in the spine. A very small catheter is inserted and the meds are administered through it. There are different kind of meds and the epidural itself can be strong (where the patient is totally numb and could have a c-sec) or weak (where the patient can still walk, this is called a walking epidural). Most studies have shown that is has no adverse effect on the baby, the way some narcotics do (as in sleepy, depressed breathing, etc.).

Again so so sorry for the loss of the baby.

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