Question!

[middlek]

:stoneI have been considering becoming an OB nurse,but I have been told you need to be an RN first. I don't think I could handle regular nursing. Is there an alternative way of becoming an OB nurse? If not is there something similar?

[MikeyJ, RN]

I am very confused -- you want to become an OB nurse but you don't want to be an RN?

You could become an LPN, but the schooling is very similar as the schooling to become an RN. Or you could become a CNA (nursing assistant) which does not require intensive schooling -- usually a 4-6 week class, or a semester class at a community college.

[RN1982]

OB nurse = regular RN with a specialty.

[ohmeowzer RN, RN]

there is no way to be a Ob nurse unless you are a RN...

[Elvish, BSN, DNP, RN, NP]

First, welcome! You've posted your question in the right place. :)

Let me see if we can clear some things up for you.

If you want to be an OB nurse, you have to go to nursing school. Really no way around that. :) OB units tend to prefer RNs (vs. LPNs) so that would be your best bet. Community colleges offer nursing programs, as do many four-year universities, so there is more than one way to get there. (We have a whole forum dedicated to that!)

Once you are done with nursing school, you have to take the licensure exam to obtain your license to practice as an RN. Once you have your RN license you can work in most any field of nursing, including OB. Some places prefer that you have a year or two of 'experience' - and the definition of that varies from place to place. Other places hire brand-new RNs right off the bat into OB.

To make things even muddier, some units house Labor and Delivery, nursery, high-risk antepartum, and postpartum all together so RNs in those unit are cross-trained to do all those things. The unit I work on, staffs labor and delivery separately. I don't work l & d; I do nursery, postpartum, and high-risk antepartum. Other units house the high-risk antepartums in a separate unit. Pretty much any combination of the above you'd probably be able to find depending where you go. :)

So 'OB nurse' can mean a lot of different things! I hope this makes a few things clearer. Keep asking questions if you need to.

[JohnBearPA]

there is no way to be a Ob nurse unless you are a RN...

I think this depends on the state and the hospital. I know several nurses that I went to school with that work OB/Gyn as LPN's. Obviosuly RN's are preferred, but at least in PA, I know several LPN OB/Gyn nurses. Probably not the same everywhere tho.

[jenrninmi, MSN, RN]

I think this depends on the state and the hospital. I know several nurses that I went to school with that work OB/Gyn as LPN's. Obviosuly RN's are preferred, but at least in PA, I know several LPN OB/Gyn nurses. Probably not the same everywhere tho.

Do they do L&D? Or mother/baby?

[Elvish, BSN, DNP, RN, NP]

Good point, Jen. I work with one LPN on mother/baby but their L&D does not hire any LPNs. And I think the mother/baby LPN was grandfathered in at some point because she has been there 34 years.

[jenrninmi, MSN, RN]

Good point, Jen. I work with one LPN on mother/baby but there L&D does not hire any LPNs. And I think the mother/baby LPN was grandfathered in at some point because she has been there 34 years.

That's how it is where I work. We have 2 grandfathered LPNs that work in m/b but we don't have or hire any LPNs for L&D. Both the lpn's USED to do l&d a long time ago though.

[JohnBearPA]

Do they do L&D? Or mother/baby?

I'm not sure anymore, and I've lost touch with one of them. I believe she was started in L&D but moved to postpartum later. I know LPN's at that particular hosp aren't able to work in the nursery, but they're employed in NICU, so some of this may be that particular hosp's policy. The other LPN works postpartum. I'm certainly not challenging anyone, just trying to share the info I remember. Again, I'm also assuming this varies not only from state to state, but facility to facility.

[Elvish, BSN, DNP, RN, NP]

JohnBear - we know you're not arguing. :) I'm sure it varies from facility to facility too.

[SmilingBluEyes]

I think Elvish answered beautifully. My only advice, there are NO shortcuts. IF You want to be a labor and delivery nurse, you need to become an RN. LPNs are amazing nurses, but fewer and fewer units are hiring them. Go to school and get your RN. This is not a "diss" to LPNs. I just know for a fact, most will not even consider hiring an LPN anymore.

I wish you the best.