Oh my goodness....!

I've worked in OB for over 7 years and have no idea what BUBBLE-HE is!

Good luck!

Be you. Let your enthusiasm shine. Don't be obnoxious. And have a good answer as to why you want to be an OB nurse, not that you love babies. Be a rockstar!!!

Thanks, guys. Elvish, I LOVE the teaching component of this specialty :) One of my long term goals is to become a certified lactation consultant too....my maternity professor encouraged me to go back and teach maternity nursing, but that involves ME going back to the classroom. I've been advised to practice for a good 5 years at least before I think about teaching nursing. Honestly, I'll retire a happy lady if all I do is stay at the bedside. I'm reviewing my textbook (yes, I kept it!) and feel pretty good about doing an assessment, but I know that most women don't act like the textbook, either. I know to keep an eye on BP and pulse and watch the lochia for changes. During my preceptorship, I took 2 new admits on my last day (1 vag and 1 c-section) and it was a little overwhelming then, but I made it through. I have yet to care for a woman who was on magnesium sulfate though, and my first instinct would be to watch her respirations as well as her BP and pulse. I know it's all a learning process and I can't expect to think and act like a nurse with 5 years' experience. At the same time, I want to have the basics down so I can at least function during the orientation period. If memory serves, this unit does a 6-week orientation with a preceptor and you start with 1 or 2 couplets and work up to 4 (their max, unless it's crazy busy).

babyktcher, I'm glad you said "don't be obnoxious" because I think I can tend toward that with my enthusiasm, ha ha ha! I was thinking about the answer to "Why OB nursing?" and I think it stems from my own natural curiosity and the care I received as an OB patient. When I was a kid, I found that book "A Child Is Born" by Leonard Nilssen (sp?) and thought it was fascinating! I've always been interested in pregnancy and childbirth and when I got to experience it for myself, it was pretty darn great. Then, I had some pretty wonderful nurses that took such great care of me and each of my babies. It made me want to give back that same level of care to others. During school, especially clinicals, I was always aware of the clock...."Only 4 more hours and I'm done....." but during my preceptorship, it was more like "What??!! How can it be 7:00pm already??!!" So I knew this was the place for me. I know there will be rough days ahead, no matter where I work, but the fulfillment you get from helping families balances it out, I think.

Hopefully I can post a happy message in a few weeks!!! :) Thanks for all the advice and encouragement!

Here are the 2 things my hiring manager said made my app/resume/interview shine. 1 I was honest in my resume. I included a 5 year plan. Regardless of the position I applied for, I said that within 5 years I planned to work in OB. 2. In my portfolio I included a photo and short story as well as a thankyou card from a new mom that I helped teach breastfeeding and pumping to who was able to store over 1000 oz in the 8 weeks of her maternity leave. I'm not a lac cons just pro bf/ (and an old pro as well!!). My manager said she could see the light in my eyes and my passion for maternity when I was showing that to her. She didn't ask about it. As she was about to stand up during the interview I asked her, 'before we are finished would you mind if I showed you something?' Score! I landed my very first nursing job in OB!!

Lanesmama, that is an awesome story and you have great ideas!! I don't have any pictures or thank you notes to share, but I like the 5 year plan idea. The unit mgr at the facility where I'm hoping to work soon already has my resume (along with a recommendation from my preceptor). However, I think I'll write out my 5-year-plan anyway and have it ready for that interview (I'm trying to think very positively). I joined AWHONN as well - just got my "welcome" packet in the mail today, and one of my goals is to be at the convention next June in Nashville. Thanks again for your encouragement. I really appreciate it!

Oh, yay!! I am officially IN THE CLUB!! I know we're not really a club per se, but I interviewed for a FT postpartum position last week and today I was offered the job!! I am so thrilled!! Not really laughing but this was the closest emoticon I could find to match the "Happy Dance", which I would totally be doing had I not strained my back yesterday while I was gardening. I am so, so happy and really looking forward to beginning a long career in maternity nursing. Can't wait to be more a part of the discussions here!!

Congrats on the new position and welcome to the "club"

Congrats!