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!
Can a new grad start his/her career off with a reputable agency or should he/ she always start their nursing career working directly for a hospital? What are the pros/ cons of each?
I know that one person in my graduating class went to work for an agency but I don' t know how it worked out for her.
I would worry about not getting enough orientation to nursing in general by working for an agency. If your assigments are short-term, you may complete the assignment but not be fully assimilated to being a nurse. Kind of like working per diem or part time at first, when you just don't do it enough to pick it all up, if that makes sense.
I'm a 52 year old nurse who has been out of nursing for 10 years. I had a preemie at age 26, peaking my interest in nursing. I became a certified childbirth educator and assisted in coaching several couples before becoming an RN.
I have two years med-surg experience, but I want to return to nursing as an OB nurse. I'm an studying like crazy and plan to give myself a good 6-8 months to review.
Here's my question: Do you think a 52 year old nurse who has been out of the game for a few years has a chance of being hired in LDR. Your honest feedback and any encouragement you can give would be most appreciated.
What do you all think of 'baby friendly' hospitals, in which they push the mother to breastfeed? I recently delivered my baby in one....and yes, they were very outspoken with the whole 'breast is best' mentality. I am all for breastfeeding and am doing so myself, but it just seems somewhat politically incorrect....
I even heard that the Bush administration is getting involved in trying to get more women to breastfeed. I am curious what l&d nurses think and what are your experiences.
Specializes in med-surg, OB/GYN, pediatrics, geriatrics.
What a novel idea! Keeep the "sticky!" Thank you for the welcome.
I am returning to my calling of OB/GYN nursing after a ten year hiatus in which I finished rearing all four of my children. I am currently taking as many CEUs as I can and reading in L&D so I can be "up" and prepared on changes in the field. Academically, I am well-prepared.
My question (and fear) is that I may have some difficulty getting employment in L&D because of the gap in my career. How should I prepare for the interview(s)?
I'm a 52 year old nurse who has been out of nursing for 10 years. I had a preemie at age 26, peaking my interest in nursing. I became a certified childbirth educator and assisted in coaching several couples before becoming an RN.
I have two years med-surg experience, but I want to return to nursing as an OB nurse. I'm an studying like crazy and plan to give myself a good 6-8 months to review.
Here's my question: Do you think a 52 year old nurse who has been out of the game for a few years has a chance of being hired in LDR. Your honest feedback and any encouragement you can give would be most appreciated.
If they can hire me (a 37 year old new grad) they will certainly hire you! Go for it! :)
What do you all think of 'baby friendly' hospitals, in which they push the mother to breastfeed? I recently delivered my baby in one....and yes, they were very outspoken with the whole 'breast is best' mentality. I am all for breastfeeding and am doing so myself, but it just seems somewhat politically incorrect....
I even heard that the Bush administration is getting involved in trying to get more women to breastfeed. I am curious what l&d nurses think and what are your experiences.
I would consider my hospital "baby-friendly". We have certified lactation consultants staffed but we do not push a woman to breastfeed who chooses not to. We ask on admission if she plans to breastfeed or bottlefeed. To asses this, I'll initially ask the mother "have you ever considered breastfeeding?" or "what are your thoughts on breastfeeding?" This will usually instigate a reason from the mother as to why she doesn't choose to breastfeed. That way, if it's something along the lines of "I probably won't be able to" or "I didn't produce milk/couldn't do it with my first baby" I'll be able to work with that mother and give her all the facts on the issue. More often than not, women choose bottle because they're afraid they can't breastfeed. There are still so many old wive's tales running around about BFing.
I think it's great that the Bush Administration is advocating for BFing! More women should. It will save our government millions to possibly billions of $$$ in healthcare costs and government assistance such as WIC.
But, this is the country of choice, and I firmly believe that if a woman chooses not to BF, no matter what her reasons, she should not be pressured. I respect a person's autonomy and would never judge anyone because of this issue. I'll admit, it makes me sad when I see a teenage mother with multiple children with government assistance bottlefeeding, especially when baby already has problems. But that's life, and it's not perfect....
I was just hired for L&D and I start in 2 weeks. I am currently doing med/surg but haven't really liked it. I just recently graduated in March. I'm so nervous about L&D. I really loved my school rotation, but I just don't know what to expect in the "real world." I'm so anxious about this new adventure of mine. Any advice?
I was just hired for L&D and I start in 2 weeks. I am currently doing med/surg but haven't really liked it. I just recently graduated in March. I'm so nervous about L&D. I really loved my school rotation, but I just don't know what to expect in the "real world." I'm so anxious about this new adventure of mine. Any advice?
My advice is to be patient with yourself, it will take a considerable amount of time to really feel comfortable. SG
Hi! I just joined this site. And this is my 1st post. I am graduating December 15th and already have a L&D job waiting on me. I am nervous/happy/scared all in one. I am under a preceptor for 120 days, and I will be working in a hospital that the staff covers L&D, post-partum & nursery. LPN's are staffed in the nursery but as the RN I will be in charge and must do the newborn assessments. It is a small hospital that just opened a brand new state-of-the-art women's health wing in April, a 10 million addition for L&D alone. The hospital covers 5 rural counties and has 75 beds. They are on average delivering between 50 & 60 babies per month in a 5 labor/7 post-partum bed facility. What have I walked into? Is this typical to have the RN staff cover all 3 areas? The hospitals I have done my clinicals at staff each area independently. I would love some tips and insight on what to expect and should I join AWHONN & NANN? My goal is to get my MSN and even possibly a DNP in women's health. Thanks in advance.
Is this typical to have the RN staff cover all 3 areas?
I would love some tips and insight on what to expect and should I join AWHONN & NANN?
If it is a LDRP (labor, delivery, recovery, postpartum) unit, then it is typical to cover all three areas. I'm in an LDRP and we do it all (although we don't have a well-baby nursery - we do all rooming-in for healthy babies and only take babies temporarily if mom goes off the unit or baby is not doing well). But, we use some LPN's and non-labor trained RN's for our postpartum patients (LPN's can't do labor where I am) so people who are trained to take labor patients usually end up doing that most of the time.
I joined AWHONN while I was still a student b/c they had a student rate that was cheaper. It's nice but not a necessity. If I had limited cash & had to spend the money on that or Liability Insurance I'd get the insurance (though I know people have different feelings on that). You can see if your hospital library gets JOGNN (their journal) if that is one of the reasons you are joining.
I just got off a three month orientation; just make sure that you are getting a good preceptor, that you can get more time if you need it, and that they are still going to be there to help you when you need it b/c you won't learn everything in 120 days.
Hi everyone! I am new here too! I am currently living my dream of working as a Labor & Delivery nurse:1luvu: . I just graduated a year and a half ago and have been doing L & D for almost a year (six months on my own!)....Here's my dilemma....after almost a year, I am still scared to death when I go to work! We have lot's of high risk patients, (Insulin dependent GDM, plus PIH on multiple drips etc.!!) and I am still just so nervous about something going wrong. I think I'm doing ok, but recently I have been thinking of switching to another area of nursing because I get so scared and I think it's starting to take a toll on me personally. I have talked to several seasoned L & D nurses who say this is normal and it takes about 2 years to feel really comfortable. What's your opinion? Do you think it takes two years? I don't know if I can handle another year like this!!
So glad to have found this website! Lot's of great info.
MIA-RN1, RN
1,329 Posts
I know that one person in my graduating class went to work for an agency but I don' t know how it worked out for her.
I would worry about not getting enough orientation to nursing in general by working for an agency. If your assigments are short-term, you may complete the assignment but not be fully assimilated to being a nurse. Kind of like working per diem or part time at first, when you just don't do it enough to pick it all up, if that makes sense.
I am sure it can be done but I wouldn't do it.