OB Rotations

Nursing Students General Students

Published

I've got OB/Peds this fall, and I'd like to know what some of you had to during your OB rotations. What else is typically required during OB? For example, are you forced to rotate through the nursery, etc?

I'll have that along with community and public health as well as issues and trends in healthcare and nursing.

Exciting semester. :uhoh3:

Specializes in LTC/Rehab.
I hated my maternity rotation. I take a natural approach to a lot of things, including birth and whatnot, so unfortunately didn't see a lot of that being here in America. So there's a lot of inductions, c-section care, bottles, mutilated memberes, giving moms the correct info after a nurse walks out after giving bad info, etc etc. If you like babies and aren't bothered with everything else...then you'll love this rotation. Good luck!!

I was wondering what a natural birth advocate would think about doing an maternity rotation. I think I would just be irritated by suggested inductions, c-sections, and circumcisions. My biggest challenge will probably holding my tongue. :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I wouldn't protest anyone saying no. Won't hurt my feelings.

Exactly- I'm also a male nursing student, about to start my OB rotation this Friday (that is if I can shake this cold that I can feel coming on). I have no problem respecting a patient's wishes if they are uncomfortable with me. I worked as a caregiver and medication aide in long term care for years, and there were plenty of times I had to get a female caregiver to do a shower or take a woman to the toilet because they didn't want a guy in there. It's all part of providing patient centered care. It's pointless taking that sort of thing personally, and ultimately it negatively impacts patient interactions as a whole.

In any case, I'm pretty stoked for this rotation even though It's not what I want to do as a career. I'm looking to work on the other side of the life cycle- in hospice. But the whole birthing process is incredible to me, and I'm excited to learn all I can. Even though I may not be using what I learn in my career (although you never know), it will still come in handy when my wife and I have kids of our own.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med surg, Public Health, School Nursing.

I didn't really care for OB. Working in the nursery was exciting, especially being the 'nurse' to assess twins right after they had been delivered. I think I could go a life time without watching another circumcision...

I got to assist with a lady partsl delivery. I had never seen a delivery before so that was eye opening. I think your OB rotation is what you make it. Enjoy it while it last because it'll be over before you know it.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Exactly- I'm also a male nursing student, about to start my OB rotation this Friday (that is if I can shake this cold that I can feel coming on). I have no problem respecting a patient's wishes if they are uncomfortable with me. I worked as a caregiver and medication aide in long term care for years, and there were plenty of times I had to get a female caregiver to do a shower or take a woman to the toilet because they didn't want a guy in there. It's all part of providing patient centered care. It's pointless taking that sort of thing personally, and ultimately it negatively impacts patient interactions as a whole.

In any case, I'm pretty stoked for this rotation even though It's not what I want to do as a career. I'm looking to work on the other side of the life cycle- in hospice. But the whole birthing process is incredible to me, and I'm excited to learn all I can. Even though I may not be using what I learn in my career (although you never know), it will still come in handy when my wife and I have kids of our own.

I just finished my rotation and had a male student in my clinical group. He did not have any problems with patients allowing him to care for them and their newborn or being present during their births. It was encouraging to see several male nurses on the unit as well.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I just finished my rotation and had a male student in my clinical group. He did not have any problems with patients allowing him to care for them and their newborn or being present during their births. It was encouraging to see several male nurses on the unit as well.

That's good to know!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency Department.
In my experience as a L&D nurse, attitude goes a long way, in any unit. We can tell if you'd rather be else where.

In my experience as a student on a L&D unit, we can tell if you'd rather be anywhere else than with a student in this highly sought after specialty area ;) The nurses at the hospital I was at were rude to students and had a junior God complex they picked up from the OB-Gods they work with all day. I couldn't have been more turned off and I'm a midwife who has learned to expect that sort of attitude from staff. It added more ambivalence to my original goal of going on to grad school for a CNM education.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Some of you seem to have the mistaken impression that nothing goes on in OB that you really need to know... What happens when you have a pregnant patient on your non OB unit with complications? That "stuff" you plan to gloss over in your learning just might come in handy... OB has much to offer in a learning environment if you take the time to learn it. For your sake I really hope your comments are tounge in cheek otherwise I feel sorry for any future patients you might have.

It could, yes. Additionally, someone could walk in with monkeypox. Do you know immediately what to do about that also?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
It could, yes. Additionally, someone could walk in with monkeypox. Do you know immediately what to do about that also?

I know how to stabilize a patient until I find out... Which you won't know how to do because you don't think its important enough to learn it. If you get an attitude about a public post that invited responses from other posters, I really do feel sorry for you and your future patients. FYI you need not respond.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I know how to stabilize a patient until I find out... Which you won't know how to do because you don't think its important enough to learn it. If you get an attitude about a public post that invited responses from other posters, I really do feel sorry for you and your future patients. FYI you need not respond.

Knowing how to stabilize someone has nothing to do with the question. That's a different element. We're talking specific problems such as monkey pox or placenta previa. At one time I knew about placenta previa from previous training, but time went by and with both lack of use and lack of interest I've mostly forgotten about it.

You're a RNC. This is obviously a big deal to you and apparently personal as well.

Btw, I didn't get an attitude at all. I'm just replying in kind to a silly, thoughtless statement. :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Silly? Then why are YOU bothering to respond? LOL! My RNC has nothing to do with this thread. Your thoughts are your own and you are absolutely entitled to them. Good luck in your future endeavors.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Silly? Then why are YOU bothering to respond? LOL! My RNC has nothing to do with this thread. Your thoughts are your own and you are absolutely entitled to them. Good luck in your future endeavors.

I'm farily well known for replying to pointless, argumentative replies.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Neat a fight. But yeah, I can't wait for OB rotations. I love screaming babies and people looking at me like I have no idea what to do.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment