Postpartum Nursing Question

rn2bnwi, BSN, RN · Dec 25, 2009

as an rn or a nurse practioner? in a few years you are probably going to have to get a doctrate degree to work as a nurse practioner. my guess as a floor Rn to get in you would probably start on nights depending on your area, and if you could get hired as an nurse practioner with so little background.....i highly doubt it would be flexiable or desirable hours. Good luck!

Hozgur · Dec 26, 2009

I didn't know you could be a nurse practioner on the postpartum floor. As far as responsibilities, how does being a np vs. an rn differ on this floor? And are you currently an rn or np. Thanks for your help.

RootedRedwood · Dec 26, 2009

We don't have any NPs (nurse practitioners) working on our unit, which is antepartum/L&D/postpartum all in one. We do have CNMs (certified nurse midwives) though- these are masters prepared RNs trained in midwifery. They are not hospital staff but are part of a private practice who has delivery privileges on our unit. They catch babies and then will follow the mother/babe throughout their hospital stay... but most of the postpartum care actually comes from staff RNs who are prepared at the Bachelors level. The CNMs act similarly to the MDs in the postpartum area- the staff RNs at the bedside do all the assessing and care and call the MDs/CNMs if there are any issues. Otherwise the CNM may only see the mom/babe once more to discharge them. The bulk of work our CNMs do is in their office with prenatal and postpartum check-ups.

If your goal is to become a postpartum RN, a masters level education is overkill. Check out the accelerated BSN programs out there (they typically range 1-1.5 years in length) - these are semi-tailored for folks who already have higher education (BS or MS) in other areas of study. Or there is the ADN-RN route through community colleges (typically 2-year programs) which will also prepare you to become a bedside RN. If you know you want to be an advanced practice nurse (CNM or NP) then you might want to go straight in to a direct-entry MSN program. I would do some more research about what kind of nurse you want to be before applying to programs- maybe you could shadow a postpartum RN and CNM for a day to see the differences?

NurseNora, BSN, RN · Dec 26, 2009

If money will be an issue, try a 2 year ADN (Associate Degree Nursing) program where you can take the LPN liscening exam after one year. My hospital hires LPNs for Post Partum if they plan to complete the program and become RNs in one more year. If you then decide you want to do more advanced practice work, you can continue your schooling.

Nursing is one of the most flexible places to work; probably because it's mostly women still and they have to work around husbands and kids. I work 12 hour shifts, 6PM to 6AM every weekend (that's my choice). I once found a nurse who didn't like to get up early in the morning and we each worked 11 to 11. She did am to pm, I did pm to pm and we were always scheduled to work the same days.

Some places still have 8 hour shifts where full time is 5 shifts per week. Where there are 12 hour shifts, full time is usually 3 shifts per week or 32 hours. You only get paid for the hours you work, but you get full time benefits. There may still be some places where you can work my schedule 2 12 hour weekend shifts and get paid for full time. It depends on the need. There are part time shifts available (my 24hr/wk is part time) and prn positions where you are only required to work a minimum number of shifts per month, but you are not guaranteed any hours. No benefits usually but a higher hourly rate and you will be the first canceled on a slow day.

Since hospitals are 24/7 places, there are a lot of shifts that need to be covered. Hospitals tend to be pretty good about letting nurses switch around with each other to meed their own personal needs as long as the unit is covered properly. I have a friend who works at a local mega store and they tell him when he will work, he isn't even guaranteed the same shift alll the time and he isn't allowed to swap with someone else if he needs a special day off. I know of few nurses who would tolerate that kind of treatment.

On a PP floor, you do a lot of teaching: infant care, breast feeding, self care after a lady partsl or Cesarean delivery. Most patients aren't sick so need only minimal physical care. Of course complications can happen to anyone, so you have to recognize and know how to react to problems: infection, bleeding, pulmonary embolizm, infection, eclampsia, a baby who stops breathing, a diabetic who bottoms out. But most of your time will be spent doing assesments to be sure all is well with mom and baby and getting them ready to go home safely.

Hozgur · Dec 27, 2009

Thank you all very much for your suggestions. You are really making my decision to go into nursing easier :). I would like more information about the ADN program though. I was under the assumption that to become an RN you have to at least have a bachlor's degree in nursing. Ideally, I think I would love to work on the postpartum floor and maybe as a long term goal become a nursing manager. I have a teaching and business background and so I think I could see myself in that role. Thanks again for your encouragement :)

NurseNora, BSN, RN · Jan 1, 2010

Check with your local community colleges, many of them offer a two year ADN program. You could also check with your state Board of Nursing to see what nursing schools are available in your area. You'll be able to get much more information directly from the school about requirements and so on

rn2bnwi, BSN, RN · Jan 1, 2010

if you have a bachelors you can get your bsn in a year through an accelerated program. That is what im doing right now. it's intense but ........nursing school is intense regardless of which route you take .