Obstetrics-gynecology as first clinical?

HeartsOpenWide, RN · Feb 26, 2009

I don't think that LTC is necessarily a given, I started out on med/surg; we didn't do LTC until second year,we had an entire class just on geriatrics.;although we could have started in a LTC and functioned just fine, many do start there. But it does seem odd to start out in OB as a first semester; you need to learn the basics first, OB is a specialty.

fiveofpeep · Feb 26, 2009

actually, now that I am in ob-gyn after critical care and medsurg, I think it is way easier than first semester medsurg and thought it should be a first semester clinical

for postpartum you only give like 1-2 meds

i havent had l&2 but so far I have felt this to be the simplest yet but with the most opportunities for procedures

JeanettePNP, MSN, RN, NP · Feb 26, 2009

Could be you're right. You're dealing with basically healthy patients.

Daytonite, BSN, RN · Feb 26, 2009

i think ltc is a poor choice for first clinicals. my first experiences were horrible in ltc as a student. i believe that the reason ltc is chosen is partially because most of the patients are confused and not going to complain if something is not done correctly. what kind of logic is that? my very first patient was demented and got angry when i asked him if he was ready for his bath. he got angry, went into a tirade and kicked his overbed table across the room. i ran to my instructor. that was over 30 years ago and i remember it like it was yesterday. the next patient wasn't much better.

we have to start somewhere. where should that be? on people who can't talk back? oh, that might be the idea behind going to ltc so if we make a mistake no one will know. shhhh!

tachybradyRN · Feb 26, 2009

It really depends on the school. I'm in a two year program and my entire first year was med-surg. In second year, for the first half I was in med-surg/peds/psych. For the second half, which I'm in now, I'm doing 3 med-surg rotations and an L&D rotation. I think it was to our benefit to have the first year be all med-surg because it gave us a good foundation to work off in peds, psych, and L&D.

tbell2 · Mar 1, 2009

My program started in LTC. I don't think they do that because patients won't know if we do something wrong. I would say it is more because LTC is all about vitals, bed making, bathing, and other ADLs. You know, the basics. As it should be. I think OB-GYN as a first clinical would weed out a bunch of weaker stomached folks!

JeanettePNP, MSN, RN, NP · Mar 1, 2009

Actually, having given birth to 6 children I'm glad we're starting in OB-GYN because this is an area I know something about.

RNMom2010 · Mar 1, 2009

I am in my OB rotation now and this is our 5th rotation (8wk classes). We started out in LTC in order to establish a comfort level with non acute pts and to practice basic skills such as bathing, bedmaking, etc. My other rotations were, Rehab, Ortho, and Psych. I think thats a bit odd to start out with OB, but if they do it, it must work the way they want it to, however that may be. Medication wise, it is far less intense than the other units, and lots of opportunities for injections. A lot of focus is on education of the new family, which is kind of strange to do when many are learning it themselves for the first time! But its a FUN rotation, I love it!!

cursedandblessed · Mar 1, 2009

I hated LTC, I didn't mind that they were older, or that they couldn't help, it was just really hard. I just finished up my first mat/peds rotation (3rd rotation), and it was a blast. I was so on my game (so to speak) in clinicals. Having a little 6 hour old guy grab your finger is the best, and getting them to do reflexes, like rooting, babinski, etc.