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.
hi i am a 2nd year nursing student very interested in gyne and wanting to be come a midwife. my last placement was on gyne and there was the early pregnency assessment unit on the ward for if any pregnant patient up to 18 weeks had any problems. all the time i would see things written live p1g4 and i just wondered what it meant.
thanks Gemma
This means, she has been pregnant 4 times, given birth once. ----The others were either miscarriages, stillbirths, ectopic, or induced abortions.
Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.
Just wondering. I am a new grad who just passed NCLEX. I recently have begun to think about applying to L&D. I am wondering, those of you who have been L&D nurses for a while ever had any difficulty in finding a job? I had a classmate who was going to pursue L&D but decided not to because she thought she would be "backing herself into a corner" & maybe would not have as many opportunities for employment if she relocated to another state. Because of this, she chose to remain working with adults, as she felt there were more opportunities. Thoughts?
It depends on where you are and what the market is like. Some places, OB jobs can be tough to get into. Others have well-established and respected residency programs. I would look into larger or teaching hospitals. Usually these are the ones who have residency programs for new graduates to "break them into" OB nursing. This is usually the best way to go.
If there are no large or teaching hospitals near you, you will have to check into the hosptals that are around you. Make sure you make it known to the manager of the OB unit and anyone else you can, you are interested and motivated to be an OB nurse. Developing a network is so helpful. If you have acquaintances and friends, make sure they know.
Also, if you see an opening, even if it says "experienced only" APPLY!!!!! Put on the resume or cover letter you are aware of their preference for experienced staff, but you are motivated and a fast learner. Make sure you have SOLID references to back you up here. Keep trying, and never give up. Eventually, if you work hard enough at it, your dream will come true. I wish you the very best.
Hi I'm new to this site and basically clueless. I just have a pregnancy related question i would love some advice on. I dunno if I'm asking in the right forum or whatever but here here goes anyway.....I am 28weeks pregnant and my cervix is very short and thinning. A cerclage is not an option because the Dr. says there's nothing to grab onto to sew shut. At this point in time I am not dilating and my cervix is closed. However as a precautionary measure my Dr thought it would be a good idea to receive Betamethisone(I think thats how u spell it) which is a steriod to help the lungs mature quicker. Anyhow I would really appreciate it if some1 could give me more info on prenatal steriods and cervical issues leading to preterm labor. Thanks alot!!
Hi I'm new to this site and basically clueless. I just have a pregnancy related question i would love some advice on. I dunno if I'm asking in the right forum or whatever but here here goes anyway.....I am 28weeks pregnant and my cervix is very short and thinning. A cerclage is not an option because the Dr. says there's nothing to grab onto to sew shut. At this point in time I am not dilating and my cervix is closed. However as a precautionary measure my Dr thought it would be a good idea to receive Betamethisone(I think thats how u spell it) which is a steriod to help the lungs mature quicker. Anyhow I would really appreciate it if some1 could give me more info on prenatal steriods and cervical issues leading to preterm labor. Thanks alot!!
Well a few questions come to mind yes I agree with Betamethasone. My questions, are you on bed rest. How short is very short. 6mm, 1cm, 2mm. Also is your doctor a high risk perinatologist or a normal OB? If he's not a perinatologist, maybe ask for a referal to one. Are they going to put you in the hospital on tocolytics (medicine to stop labor) Those are hte questions that come to mind. Hope that helps
OK guys, I tried to read through all the posts...because I'm sure my ?'s are answered in there somewhere...I didn't get through them all...so here goes.
First of all...this is a great idea, making this a sticky..and the fact that the OB nurses on the boards are willing to answer all these questions!
Here is my thing...
I just finished an externship at a LDRP unit...and I absolutely loved it. I am moving as soon as I get out of nursing school (in the spring 2006), so I will have to apply at new, unfamiliar hospitals. Are there any extra things I can do to make myself more marketable for an OB job? We do our preceptorships in our last semester...but of course there is no guarantee I will get OB, it's a pretty sought after spot. I've head that nurse managers consider where you precepted, among other things when hiring new grads. Should I do anything extra...I mean w/in my scope...take classes? Or, do they even consider anything like that? I didn't realize I would react as passionately to OB as I did this summer. I really, really, enjoyed it. It actually wouldn't kill me to start in another area of nursing, but I do want to give OB my first shot. Sigh, if we were staying here, I have an almost guaranteed job where I externed!
Are there any extra things I can do to make myself more marketable for an OB job? We do our preceptorships in our last semester...but of course there is no guarantee I will get OB, it's a pretty sought after spot. I've head that nurse managers consider where you precepted, among other things when hiring new grads. Should I do anything extra...I mean w/in my scope...take classes? Or, do they even consider anything like that?
You could take ACLS and NRP courses, as most OB nurses are required to have at least, NRP. It would show that you are commited to getting into OB, IMO.
Well a few questions come to mind yes I agree with Betamethasone. My questions, are you on bed rest. How short is very short. 6mm, 1cm, 2mm. Also is your doctor a high risk perinatologist or a normal OB? If he's not a perinatologist, maybe ask for a referal to one. Are they going to put you in the hospital on tocolytics (medicine to stop labor) Those are hte questions that come to mind. Hope that helps
Sorry guess I shoulda gave a little more detail. Yes I have been on bedrest for almost a month now. Last my cervix was measured it was measuring 1.7 I'm not real sure if thats MM or CM though. My Dr is Just a normal OB Doc. I'm not having any contractions or signs of labor at this point so they haven't discussed hospitalization or anything. Basically its a waiting game to see when I go into labor I guess. I'm just trying to get a better understanding of my condition and what my options are. I'm a little bit familiar with the cervix and the role it plays in pregnancy and labor but I'm totally clueless about the steroids and other options. Thanks for replying and trying to help.
It depends on where you are and what the market is like. Some places, OB jobs can be tough to get into. Others have well-established and respected residency programs. I would look into larger or teaching hospitals. Usually these are the ones who have residency programs for new graduates to "break them into" OB nursing. This is usually the best way to go.
If there are no large or teaching hospitals near you, you will have to check into the hosptals that are around you. Make sure you make it known to the manager of the OB unit and anyone else you can, you are interested and motivated to be an OB nurse. Developing a network is so helpful. If you have acquaintances and friends, make sure they know.
Also, if you see an opening, even if it says "experienced only" APPLY!!!!! Put on the resume or cover letter you are aware of their preference for experienced staff, but you are motivated and a fast learner. Make sure you have SOLID references to back you up here. Keep trying, and never give up. Eventually, if you work hard enough at it, your dream will come true. I wish you the very best.
I have to agree with the PP. I have had the same advice. I am a new ADN grad. I did my preceptorship in PP and L&D. I have a hard time finding a job in MCH because most hospitals in my area are asking for 1-2 years exp.
I talked to my preceptor last night and she said the same thing re: just apply when a opening asks for "exp. only" and sell yourself. She also added that if I was willing to work nights that may be a foot in the door. She told me that some but not many nurses with exp. are willing to work night shifts.
As for networking, during my rotation I displayed motivation and I was a fast learner... so a little bird (my preceptor) told me that 12 new OB openings have been created at her hospital and their sister hospital and to apply. She also offered to write a letter of reference for me.
Wish me luck, as I am marching down to apply in the am.
Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.
You could take ACLS and NRP courses, as most OB nurses are required to have at least, NRP. It would show that you are commited to getting into OB, IMO.
SmilingBluEyes
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