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!
I am just finishing my prereqs for nursing school, but I know what I want to do...and that is to work in L&D!!! I have wanted this for many years, and I am determined to make it a reality. I am also studying to become a doula, hoping that maybe it will help when I finish nursing school to get into L&D, since I will have experience working with laboring mothers. There is no other part of nursing that I really want to do more than helping families bring a new member into the world. I work in a telemetry unit right now as a HUC, and the nurses there are all very anti-L&D...trying to talk me out of it and telling me I won't enjoy it...but they all enjoy working in telemetry, and I know I would not want to work there! I know what I want to do, and if we all wanted to do the same thing, there would be either a lot of unhappy nurses or a lot of areas of the hospital left unmanned! I am the mother of four, and watching them come into the world was the most amazing thing to me, and I want to help others experience that miracle!!!
Terre (hopefully to be nursing student in 2006!!!)
Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.
I am wondering if any OB nurse could answer a few questions for me... I am a nursing student in Georgia and have a presentation to do on OB nurses.
1) Do you enjoy your work as an OB nurse?
Yes, most days I LOVE IT.
2) What is your favorite aspect of obstetrics?
Being an intimate part of new families and lives being born is mighty powerful and inspirational for me. I love that people are touched by my care for them in the most important times of their lives---having babies is HUGE for most people. I know most never forget their birth experiences, nor their care providers. I think that is an intoxicating feeling---knowing I am part of something so big in others' lives.
3) the least favorite?
The litigiousness of the field. It's gotten to where we chart and everything we do----we do with the distinct threat of being sued or taken to court hanging over our heads. The paperwork we do is a nightmare and keeps us away from what we came into nursing to do----care for our patients! It gets worse every year.
4) Where did you get your education?
In a community college program for RN's in Oklahoma.
5) Name _________________
I prefer not to publish publically here.
6) Why did you become an OB nurse?
Because I received awesome and amazing care when I had my first child. I thought those nurses were absolutely NOBLE--I wanted to touch others' lives the very way they touched mine. So I went to nursing school with the express interest/goal of being an OB nurse.
7) Do you work in a hospital, office, etc?
I work in a hospital, LDRP (labor, delivery, recovery, postpartum) suite unit. I also care for post-operative GYN surgical patients and mildly sick neonates. Most OB nurses work in birth centers or hospitals. A few work in doctor's offices, but mostly doctors employ nurses' assistants these days.
8) Anything you can tell me about OB nursing, whether it be opinion or fact.
Think I covered that pretty well so far--------my opinion is it is THE place for me----I cannot picture myself doing anything else, except possibly being a staff educator one day.
I would really appreciate if someone would reply, please reply here or PM me and we can correspond further. Thanks, Jennifer
You are welcome! If you have further questions, please Private message me.
Hi, I was looking for information on women with MS and L&D. I am a SN and my 1:1 has MS and has had a honeymoon phase while pregnant and is worried about after the delivery with the MS. I have not found much online and my clinical instructor just said look it up. Does anyone have any advice I can give her?
I've posted on the site a few times but as my career has now dramatically changed direction I thought I'd come introduce myself over here(sorry if this isnt the right place to do it)
Up until August, and for the previous 10 years, I was a Learning Disability Nurse, now I'm a Student Midwife, studying at university in Glasgow.
I know there are some definite differences between UK Midwifery and US OB/GYN but hopefully I'll find something to talk about (and a few things I actually understand:) )
Maybe there will be a kind reader out there that can help me with my dilemma...
I have been a Scrub Tech/Nurse Tech in L&D for 5yrs, I am NRP certified, and have experience with 23wks to full term births and everything (good and bad) in between. I took a year off to finish my last (toughest) year of nursing school. I graduate in May, 2006. I questioned my path for awhile, but have realized my passion for those precious little creatures. I miss the job more and more everyday.
I would like to follow a track to the NICU, but there is nothing online or elsewhere to direct me on how to proceed with my "Dream". I have researched for the past 5 or 6 days...nothing!
I live in Florida, not far from Orlando. I am about an hour away from Florida Hospital and Arnold Palmer Hospital For Women and Children. I have attempted to make phone calls for advice...no return calls as of yet.
If there is someone out there with advice, or a friend-of-a-friend who works at one of these locations, etc...(anything)....I would be extremely greatful!
Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.
Hi all,
I've posted on the site a few times but as my career has now dramatically changed direction I thought I'd come introduce myself over here(sorry if this isnt the right place to do it)
Up until August, and for the previous 10 years, I was a Learning Disability Nurse, now I'm a Student Midwife, studying at university in Glasgow.
I know there are some definite differences between UK Midwifery and US OB/GYN but hopefully I'll find something to talk about (and a few things I actually understand:) )
Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.
Hi, I was looking for information on women with MS and L&D. I am a SN and my 1:1 has MS and has had a honeymoon phase while pregnant and is worried about after the delivery with the MS. I have not found much online and my clinical instructor just said look it up. Does anyone have any advice I can give her?
I would refer her to her doctor to ask these questions. MS varies by degree of severity and how people are afflicted. I hope she comes through it all well....
Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.
Maybe there will be a kind reader out there that can help me with my dilemma...
I have been a Scrub Tech/Nurse Tech in L&D for 5yrs, I am NRP certified, and have experience with 23wks to full term births and everything (good and bad) in between. I took a year off to finish my last (toughest) year of nursing school. I graduate in May, 2006. I questioned my path for awhile, but have realized my passion for those precious little creatures. I miss the job more and more everyday.
I would like to follow a track to the NICU, but there is nothing online or elsewhere to direct me on how to proceed with my "Dream". I have researched for the past 5 or 6 days...nothing!
I live in Florida, not far from Orlando. I am about an hour away from Florida Hospital and Arnold Palmer Hospital For Women and Children. I have attempted to make phone calls for advice...no return calls as of yet.
If there is someone out there with advice, or a friend-of-a-friend who works at one of these locations, etc...(anything)....I would be extremely greatful!
I would try asking this on the NICU forum......they probably can hook you up!!!! GOOD LUCK TO YOU!
Is it difficult to get a job as a CNM with only an ADN and a certificate in midwifery? I already have an MS in something unrelated and have a family and work part time so I applied to an ADN program. There is a midwifery program a few hours away that would accept me with only an ADN. I'm concerned I wouldn't be able to get a job. Any opinions on this? I'm seriously considering an Accelerated BSN program instead, but it would mean relocating (it's near the midwifery program, actually) and hardship for my family. Thanks!!!!!
I never knew there was a forum as such. I was excited because I am starting LVN school soon. Have been in the medical field for 19 years, so going back to school wont be easy, but I am willing to do what it takes.
Any advice on LVN school would be appreciated. Is this the best route to take? Does anyone know the average salary ( nationwide) for LVN? I am planning on continuing RN.
TerreP
41 Posts
I am just finishing my prereqs for nursing school, but I know what I want to do...and that is to work in L&D!!! I have wanted this for many years, and I am determined to make it a reality. I am also studying to become a doula, hoping that maybe it will help when I finish nursing school to get into L&D, since I will have experience working with laboring mothers. There is no other part of nursing that I really want to do more than helping families bring a new member into the world. I work in a telemetry unit right now as a HUC, and the nurses there are all very anti-L&D...trying to talk me out of it and telling me I won't enjoy it...but they all enjoy working in telemetry, and I know I would not want to work there! I know what I want to do, and if we all wanted to do the same thing, there would be either a lot of unhappy nurses or a lot of areas of the hospital left unmanned! I am the mother of four, and watching them come into the world was the most amazing thing to me, and I want to help others experience that miracle!!!
Terre (hopefully to be nursing student in 2006!!!)