New OB Nurses, Grads and Students, Please Feel Free to post your questions here:

[SmilingBluEyes]

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!

[GretchenH]

Hello everyone! I was wondering what advice you have for a student starting out in this field? I was just accepted to Columbia University's Nursing School and in 2 years will graduate with a Masters in Women's Health, then pass the boards for an NP license. I was considering doing a dual program WHNP/CNM since it is offered here. I was wondering what you suggest I do for experience in the field, like volunteering or other ways for experience? Also, do you find that there are many job opportunities for this field after graduation? I searched for openings on this website and I think there was one for WHNP and one for CNM, which I found surprising! Please let me know what suggestions you have for a new student in this field because I could use all the help and advice I can get! Thank you!

[foxyhill21]

go for it.. it will expand your opport. as a Nurse

[foxyhill21]

I did not even know that they hired Med. Assist. to work at hosiptals, but my friend is a MA makes 8-11 bucks, she was upset, she paid thousands for the program and barely makes enough to live.

I just joined here but I'm not I'm just a SMA right now. I will be going on my extern in a few weeks and I want to go into OB/GYN. My question for you all is what is the pay rate for Medical Assistants? And their anything that I may need to know before I go into OB/Gyn?

[rigbyk]

I'm currently a nursing student, and I came to nursing school in order to become a nurse-midwife. I am DYING for my maternity clinical next semester because as much as I appreciate the experience I am getting in my med-surg/adult health clinicals it is so NOT what I feel passionate about.

I am also worried about getting an L&D job out of school. I plan on going to grad school either right away or shortly after I graduate, but I plan on working as an L&D nurse if I don't go right away. I'm in Boston and I'm pretty sure it's really challenging to get L&D jobs as a new grad here. I don't know of any hospitals that offer new grad entry programs in L&D, which seems weird because so many of our hospitals deliver and are some of the best hospitals in the country.

Also, as a random out-of-curiosity question, does anyone have ballparks on what new L&D's make for salary? I know it varies greatly by area and the Northeast tends to be higher than many other parts...but I'm just wondering. I know a new grad who went to NYC to work in L&D and she's making money I thought only nurses who'd been in it 20 years made...but that's NYC.

Thoughts? Thank you!

[foxyhill21]

http://www.salary.com

I'm currently a nursing student, and I came to nursing school in order to become a nurse-midwife. I am DYING for my maternity clinical next semester because as much as I appreciate the experience I am getting in my med-surg/adult health clinicals it is so NOT what I feel passionate about.

I am also worried about getting an L&D job out of school. I plan on going to grad school either right away or shortly after I graduate, but I plan on working as an L&D nurse if I don't go right away. I'm in Boston and I'm pretty sure it's really challenging to get L&D jobs as a new grad here. I don't know of any hospitals that offer new grad entry programs in L&D, which seems weird because so many of our hospitals deliver and are some of the best hospitals in the country.

Also, as a random out-of-curiosity question, does anyone have ballparks on what new L&D's make for salary? I know it varies greatly by area and the Northeast tends to be higher than many other parts...but I'm just wondering. I know a new grad who went to NYC to work in L&D and she's making money I thought only nurses who'd been in it 20 years made...but that's NYC.

Thoughts? Thank you!

[SmilingBluEyes]

The best advice I give for those about to enter OB/GYN clinical rotations, is just bring your curiosity and be willing to help out where you can. It does not hurt to read up a bit more on OB careplans, if you have access to them. But just come prepared to learn and have some FUN!!!! The nurses there don't expect you to do or know expert levels of OB knowledge....we just want you to enjoy your clinical experiences. Be sure to ask questions as they come up and be prepared to "jump out of the way" if things get crazy. But DO enjoy the ride!

[mandana]

The best advice I give for those about to enter OB/GYN clinical rotations, is just bring your curiosity and be willing to help out where you can. It does not hurt to read up a bit more on OB careplans, if you have access to them. But just come prepared to learn and have some FUN!!!! The nurses there don't expect you to do or know expert levels of OB knowledge....we just want you to enjoy your clinical experiences. Be sure to ask questions as they come up and be prepared to "jump out of the way" if things get crazy. But DO enjoy the ride!

How strange that this was posted today and I read the WHOLE thread looking for this type of info.

My L/D clinical is this week and its only three days long - very busy hospital, should be a good experience. My instructor really expects us to jump right in and be nurse to the laboring mother but seems to me I could easily step on some toes in this sort of an environment.

Any advice there? I'm definitely eager and willing to do whatever I can, but I don't want to just be a thorn in the nurses side, either.

TIA,

Amanda

[SmilingBluEyes]

Here is my perspective as a staff nurse:

For the love of anything right, please, do not just "jump in and be that laboring patient's nurse without working with her primary nurse first!!!!!! As labor nurses, we don't expect students to "take over" and do much of anything but observe, esp. at first. We are glad you are there---we remember what it was like to be students, believe me. But we also have a way of doing things that works, and would appreciate it not being too terribly disrupted by overly-enthusiastic nursing students. (I have met a few)

DO be ready to help, do ask the primary nurse how you can help and how you can 'get in there" and get a bit of "hands on" experience, but do not do ANYthing w/o checking with her, first. The primary nurse will know the family and the laboring woman fairly well, if he/she has been their nurse for any period of time. He/she will know what is appropriate for you to do---or not. This nurse also knows the policies/procedures of the unit and the role students take there. Ask that nurse any questions you have, and tell her you really want to learn, but also make it clear you are there to help anyway you can. Don't be afraid to speak up when something comes to mind you need.

It will be ok----you will enjoy your clinical experiences if you take the attitude you are there to learn and help as you can or are cleared to do. Try to learn all you can from the primary nurse of the laboring patient to whom you are assigned, but if things do get "crazy", do try to stay out of the way-------but never ever be afraid to ask questions. I LOVE to help students learn whenver I can, but my time can be short and very pressed on busy days. I may come off as gruff or cranky if things are going badly, but it's not personal. Wait for a time when things appear calmer, if you have lots of questions or need help with doing your assignments/care plans. I am always glad to give hints/suggestions to students, if at all possible.

I repeat: I would never want a student to jump in and be my patient's nurse and do anything w/o at least checking in w/me first.

GOOD LUCK and RELAX and enjoy this time. If you have any questions for me, please do not hesitate to ask. That is why I am here.

[mandana]

Thank you so much! What you said is pretty much what I expected to hear (it's definitely the way I'd see things if I were the nurse) but it seems that my instructors expectations are very different.

I'll follow the nurses lead, let her know that I'm willing to do anything I can safely do, and be a sponge.

Thanks a bunch.

Amanda

[SmilingBluEyes]

You will do just fine. Let me know how your clinicals go, ok?

[MIA-RN1, RN]

I'm currently a nursing student, and I came to nursing school in order to become a nurse-midwife. I am DYING for my maternity clinical next semester because as much as I appreciate the experience I am getting in my med-surg/adult health clinicals it is so NOT what I feel passionate about.

I am also worried about getting an L&D job out of school. I plan on going to grad school either right away or shortly after I graduate, but I plan on working as an L&D nurse if I don't go right away. I'm in Boston and I'm pretty sure it's really challenging to get L&D jobs as a new grad here. I don't know of any hospitals that offer new grad entry programs in L&D, which seems weird because so many of our hospitals deliver and are some of the best hospitals in the country.

Also, as a random out-of-curiosity question, does anyone have ballparks on what new L&D's make for salary? I know it varies greatly by area and the Northeast tends to be higher than many other parts...but I'm just wondering. I know a new grad who went to NYC to work in L&D and she's making money I thought only nurses who'd been in it 20 years made...but that's NYC.

Thoughts? Thank you!

Im in NYS. Starting as a postpartum nurse, new grad. Starting salary here for new grads at all four local hospitals here is about the same--19.50 base. Then factor in diffs and incentives etc. I'll be starting @ $22/hour.

[kkhiggins87]

hey i'm just about to finish high school and plan to start college and work toward my RN, but i did have one question how did you know you want to become a nurse