RNomad

NPs are primary care providers. They assess, diagnose, interpret tests, prescribe, treat, consult with doctors and other specialties, and followup with their patients.

There is way too much to know in L&D to answer that here. Most importantly, have good assessment skills. Know when something is going downhill before it goes downhill. You can avert a lot of disasters by preempting them rather than trying to catch the ball already rolling down the hill. Know your strips. Know who to ask for help and know when to ask for help. Have good work ethic. Always volunteer to perform any skill (if you have time) so you will become the go-to person. Watch, listen, read, and learn. There is always something new in obstetrics.

This is the most intellectual response yet.

I have been an L&D RN for 10 years and am currently a CNM student. My only thing about not having L&D experience is when you are with laboring women day after day and year after year, you have the opportunity to see a LOT of stuff, and not all of it is pretty. When you work in L&D for a long time you have the ability to know when things "just aren't right", and you can glance at a fetal heart tracing and know what you're looking at and what that baby is telling you about what's going on in there. Right now I work with a nurse who has 25 years of nursing experience but this is her first year in L&D and she does not know what she is doing. (She'll get there eventually, but it takes time). If you have a midwife on call who has no labor experience, and a nurse on the unit caring for her patient that has no labor experience, who is going to know when things are going downhill? I personally wouldn't want to be the OB on for backup that night! I've never personally worked with a CNM with no labor experience, so I haven't seen the other side of the coin....

I currently live in a state where I have no family, I am renting a house, I have no ties here, I am single with three teenagers who also have no ties here. I am from a military family and am used to picking up and moving on a whim, and I have worked in many different hospitals and states. My specialty is L&D. I am seriously considering travel. My kids are homeschooled already so moving schools isn't an issue. I think it will be really good for them to see the United States. I'm not in it for the money as much as the travel and experience for my kids. My biggest fear/question is, how long between assignments? I'd just like to jump from one to the next, bouncing around and taking in the country. Has anyone experienced a significant period of time between assignments? Being single I cannot go for long without income...my teens eat too much!!! With kids I will obviously need more than a one bedroom, but they are all boys and don't mind the frat lifestyle sleeping all in the same room so wouldn't need more than two bedrooms. Definitely need washer/dryer, no way I'm lugging their laundry all over town. How good are companies at finding housing in nice/safe areas? I do not have a "tax home" and was intending using my mom's address as my "permanent residence" since I have no place else. I understand this will make my income completely taxable? Will that decrease my take home significantly or will it be just like my full time position now where everything is taxable? I also hear that health insurance is very expensive with traveling. How expensive is "very expensive"? I don't want to get excited about this and realize I'll be completely broke and out of a job. Thanks, Maggie