OB/Gyn Nurses-Got a question for ya!

[zahryia, LPN]

Hi,

I'm currently a doula and a nursing student.

I have no interest in becoming an L&D nurse, because I enjoy my role as a doula and would like to keep it that way.

However, I am interested in both antepartum and postpartum. I have a few questions.

Are OB nurses trained in both the ante and postpartum areas, or do you have to make a choice?

If you're trained in both areas, can you work as both? (i.e. a few days a week, you're an ante and other days you're a postpartum)

Do you HAVE to work in L&D to work in the other two areas?

Are there special certifications for ante and postpartum nursing

Thanks!!

[rn/writer, RN]

The set-up, training, and responsibilities you will encounter are determined by the facility. Many units are LDRP. On such a unit, you would be oriented to all areas (although there might be a separate antepartum unit). Other hospitals (usually larger ones) have an L&D unit and a distinct postpartum unit. There may also be another unit for antepartum. And don't forget well-baby nursery, which can have its own staff.

Some hospitals that have separate units offer cross-training. Others have specific staff for specific units with only occasional floating.

Contact the hospitals in your area to find out which system each uses. You might be able to do some job shadowing if you ask.

[CallMePatti]

Hi,

I'm currently a doula and a nursing student.

I have no interest in becoming an L&D nurse, because I enjoy my role as a doula and would like to keep it that way.

However, I am interested in both antepartum and postpartum. I have a few questions.

Are OB nurses trained in both the ante and postpartum areas, or do you have to make a choice?

If you're trained in both areas, can you work as both? (i.e. a few days a week, you're an ante and other days you're a postpartum)

Do you HAVE to work in L&D to work in the other two areas?

Are there special certifications for ante and postpartum nursing

Thanks!!

You've already received a great answer to your question, but I just wanted to add that I was a doula for about 6 years before I went to nursing school. You might want to reconsider becoming a L&D nurse. I believe my background as a doula makes me a better L&D nurse than I would have been without it.

[feebebe23]

I personally belive that to be an antepartum nurse you need a strong L&D background.....however.....different hospitals will hire there own antepartum staff. Where I have worked ante was staffed by L&D nurses. We all took turns taking care of those patients.....and of course some nurses spent more time in ante because they liked it...

When your ante patient hits the call light at 0300 because "the baby is coming out" and you don't have a strong L&D training....would you fell comfortable?? Or a prolapsed cord? Or having a seizure?

These are just my opinions....

[rn/writer, RN]

I personally belive that to be an antepartum nurse you need a strong L&D background.....however.....different hospitals will hire there own antepartum staff. Where I have worked ante was staffed by L&D nurses. We all took turns taking care of those patients.....and of course some nurses spent more time in ante because they liked it...

When your ante patient hits the call light at 0300 because "the baby is coming out" and you don't have a strong L&D training....would you fell comfortable?? Or a prolapsed cord? Or having a seizure?

These are just my opinions....

In my hospital, antepartum has its own staffing. L&D is right next door so capable L&D nurses are no more than a minute away.

[SmilingBluEyes]

OR:

You could wind up in an LDRP setting----- (where women labor, deliver and recover in one room, with one nurse taking care of her and her baby throughout a 12 hour shift)-----like I have always been in, and learn all of these areas at once. It worked well for me!

GOOD LUCK!!!!

[SmilingBluEyes]

If you have interest in L/D then I would try for a PP/Mother-baby position in a larger hospital!

I wish you the best.