New OB RN

M/B-RN · Apr 24, 2013

How long is your orientation? Do you have a skills checklist to keep track of your progress? How many couplets per nurse? Make sure you are not being cheated out of a proper orientation. If they try to pull you early, say no I need all the time I can get to learn.

I was hired as a new grad and my orientation was 12 weeks. I oriented to each shift. My preceptor first had me focus on assessments, then charting, then admissions, and then discharges; then she slowly let me do everything with her just keeping an eye on me and checking my work.

I was given a skills checklist and though there wasn't always time to keep it updated I looked it over at home and made sure to try anything that I was able to that I hadn't done yet. I would tell anyone "if you need someone straight cathed, need Rhogam, need to give blood, etc please let me tag along or let me do it with my preceptor if you don't mind!" I asked her a lot of questions, I had her walk me through what to do in case of emergencies i.e. hemorrhages, baby turning blue, etc. I took a lot of notes and studied OB books on my own time.

Let her know what you are having a hard time with. Don't worry about being fast. First worry about getting good.

It is hard to get into the pace of things. The most important things are getting your assessments, meds, blood work, and education done.

Make a brain sheet. I make hour marks i.e. 11pm-antibiotic due, 00am-PKU needs to be done, and so on and I cross it off as I go to keep me on track. Our ratios are not the best, sometimes I have things late. If anyone says anything I tell them I could do better if I either had more hands, or if we had less patients per nurse. Many times I read on here ratios are 1 to 3-4 couplets, oh if only we had that standard!

serenity1 · Apr 30, 2013

I hope they don't let you go. Keep the manager informed on your progress and what you need in orientation. My orientation was horrible and I requested more time. They gave it to me. I still felt completely unprepared to begin on my own. One thing that helped me was reading OB books. My favorite book for OB is Intrapartum Management Modules. Tons of information in an easy to read format. This helped me know more about pregnancy and labor and different high-risk issues. I felt more prepared to handle different situations. Make list of what you are deficient in and share it with your preceptor. Let her help seek out the experiences you need in order to feel better. OB is not an easy place to be. Things change quickly and you are responsible for 2 people--mom and baby. Don't feel you need to know everything, because it is impossible. I learn something new almost every shift. While you can be prepared for normal things to happen, crazy things happen in OB and you need to be able to count on your team for help in those sticky situations.

One thing my hospital is doing is assigning an experienced nurse to be a mentor for new L&D nurses for the first year. They are a resource for the new nurse to call upon for information, clinical support and moral support. I wish they had done this when I started. I always tried to find one nurse each shift that I would ask at the beginning "If I have questions today, can I ask you?" Most of the time they were fine with it and they would check on me periodically. I only used them when necessary, they did not hold my hand for the shift. If possible, maybe there is a nurse you could team up with for a similar role?

Good luck to you!! I hope all goes well.:)

Nurse2b7337 · Apr 30, 2013

This is very insightful!! I am a prenursing student and I know as a mom of 4 I'd love to work in OB. I ordered the book for .99!!!! Thanks again!!!

punkydoodlesRN, BSN, RN · May 5, 2013

This is very insightful!! I am a prenursing student and I know as a mom of 4 I'd love to work in OB. I ordered the book for .99!!!! Thanks again!!!

Where on earth did you find it for that price?? travelling to Haiti to work in a midwife clinic before I begin my L&D job as a new grad and would LOVE to have this to read while I'm there!

Nurse2b7337 · May 6, 2013

Where on earth did you find it for that price?? travelling to Haiti to work in a midwife clinic before I begin my L&D job as a new grad and would LOVE to have this to read while I'm there!

https://www.alibris.com/orderDetail/50157787%2D1/Yx3azd7B1TBZyB7RWLS0

Hope this helps!!

Sent from my iPhone using allnurses.com

LaborDiva · May 12, 2013

OB can be a faced paced place. The number of deliveries is all relative. I've worked at a few hospitals now and they all staff pretty much the same whether they do 50 deliveries a month or 300. Girl, stick with it. OB is tough and it can get scary at times. Heck, if your not scared during a big decel or shoulder, something is wrong with you. One of the greatest nurses I work with came to work sick to her stomach the first year and a half. She wanted to quit and do something else but she stuck with it and is a fabulous nurse. It takes a while to find your stride. Just ask questions about the stuff you are unsure of and be confident in the things you already know. Take a breath when you start getting rattled and give yourself some credit. Staying at home with your kids is a challenge to! You can do it!

SwimNurseRun · May 20, 2013

Even coming to postpartum or l&d as an experienced nurse can be challenging and stressful. All nursing is HARD in the beginning but stick with it and it will get better and better!!

newnurse1986 · May 29, 2013

One week before my orientation is up and they let me go...

nrsyann · May 29, 2013

I am so sorry to hear this! I know it is difficult, but I'm sure the right fit is out there for you.

Hang in there!