"personal delivery experience" when being a L&D nurse

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Hi

Just getting input - do you think having given birth is an advantage in being an L&D nurse? Did you share the fact that you had given birth when interviewing for L&D? Is it even relevant? (duh, one does not have to be a cancer survivor to be an incredible oncology nurse, it just makes you the oncology nurse that you are).

Just a passing thought. Responses appreciated.

thanks

Hi everyone, I'm new here!

In my experience at births, mom's wanted to know if I had any kids. I am now a maternal child home health nurse, and mom's always want to know. Childbearing and childrearing are two of the most challenging things you can do. Mom's want to know that the person helping them really knows what it's like. I also know two midwives who started their careers before having kids and they both say that they are more empathetic and better midwives after having given birth.

So, is having given birth relevent to getting the job? Probably not, but it depends on the unit. Will it make you a better nurse? That depends on you and what kind of person you are. You may make an excellent OB nurse, and giving birth may add depth and clarity to that. If it's the job you want and you love OB, then chances are you'll be good at it!

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I worked in L&D as a new grad and was completely offended whenever it was suggested that I wasn't as good a nurse as those who had had babies already.

Five years later when I delivered my first child, I realized how much that experience changed me. I wasn't a better nurse, but I was certainly better at caring for the laboring and newly delivered mom.

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I do feel at some disadvantage in caring for my pt's because I've yet to have a baby. BUT there are several nurses that I work with that are wonderful and have been doing this for years and they've never had kids.

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

Again, men do a great job being L/D nurses. And I have yet to meet one who has experienced labor and delivery himself. (grin)

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