Nursing in Perinatology

[DeLySh]

Hello!

I was just wondering if anyone works in perinatology? Are there opportunities available for RNs or NPs and, if so, what exactly are they?

Thank you for your input in advance.

DeLySh

[EricJRN, MSN, RN]

Perinatal nursing encompasses a wide variety of specialties related to the childbirth process, from labor and delivery to infant care. Nurses can be found in hospital L&D units, postpartum areas, newborn nursery, neonatal ICU and others. Sometimes outpatient nurses (such as those who work in infertility clinics) are even classified as perinatal nurses.

So yes, there are tons of opportunities for RN's, NP's, CNS's and other perinatal nursing roles.

[LilPeanut, MSN, RN, NP]

If I had to guess at your meaning, I would say you were asking about perinatal high-risk care. RNs for inpatient bedrest, RNs with the perinatology office.....I'm not sure though if there are opportunities as an NP in high-risk pregnancy. CNSs are quite possibly used though in the hospitals for the bedridden moms.

[DeLySh]

Yes, LilPeanut, that is exactly what I meant: high-risk pregnancy.

I want to plan my academic future and was wondering what choices might be available for someone like me who is intensely passionate about this field. I will be board-eligible in December and then I have to decide if I want to complete the BSN or move toward an advanced practice degree (I already have a BA in Biology) Any advice will be very much appreciated.

Thank you for your replies.

DeLySh

[Selke]

You can take a certification exam in high risk obstetrics; I think ANCC and NCC both offer it. There is a subspecialty, high risk OB nursing, which combines ICU and OB. There is a need for ICU & OB educated nurses to care for very sick pregnant women. You will find this type of patient more at level 3 perinatal centers, mostly affiliated with medical schools and teaching hospitals. These hospitals tend to have maternal transport teams and use ICU trained OB nurses. Seems I heard once there is an educational program that offers specialization in this. You could probably find one with a good web search of graduate nursing schools, but they most likely would suggest a few years experience in both ICU and OB. You could try calling the nursing schools you're considering applying to and talk to someone in the maternal child department about it. You could start taking MSN courses after graduation while you work. The school may have a combined BSN completion leading to MSN degree, too.

Good luck -- you could work your way into a great position one day.:studyowl: (fun with smileys!)

[LilPeanut, MSN, RN, NP]

I totally understand your passion and enthusiasm, I share it since I was a high-risk mom. :) I've decided to go into neonatal though because the lack of opportunities as an advanced practice nurse in perinatal care.

You know, my suggestion might be to work on the perinatal floor for a while and then see what sort of opportunities arise, making good relationships with the perinatologists and stuff. I think in the future, there will be more opportunities in this field, because high risk pregnancies really affect so much more than just the pg woman and I think the nursing philosophy is uniquely able to better deal with those situations.

Lots of luck in your future! Perinatal nurses are part of the reason I'm going into nursing now. My nurses while I was on hospital bedrst were so amazing.

[DeLySh]

LilPeanut,

I think I may take your advice and see what kind of opportunities can come of it. The only hangup I have is that I want to be in a position to direct treatment for women in some of these situations. I'm glad to hear that I'm not alone in my interest in this field. But, now I question which direction I should take.

Thanks for the input.

DeLySh