What can I expect in OB?

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So I'm in my 4th term of Nursing school and currently taking OB. I learned so much today it was amazing! I'm assuming it's because I want to work in L&D so bad that I'm literally like a sponge soaking everything up during class. My main question is what can I expect going into my clinical rotation of OB? Also, working as a L&D nurse, what other avenues can I explore once I attain my BSN? Will there ever be a time when I could possibly deliver a baby on my own or is that only for a physician to do? Thanks All!!

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Completely out of your scope to deliver a baby, however, sometimes the dr just can't make it in! Have fun in clinical and learn as much as you can. If you really want to work L&D get your basic fetal monitoring cert and NRP to help your chances.

Posting from my phone, ease forgive my fat thumbs! :)

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Thank you so much for this info. I truly appreciate it!

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And as I sit on my break 9 hours into my shift....expect to have your heart broken.

Posting from my phone, ease forgive my fat thumbs! :)

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Specializes in L&D, postpartum, nursery, antepartum CLC.

you could go on and get a midwife certification, but I would suggest at least 5 years in L&D first. NRP certification, ACLS certification and lactation certifications are all helpful. Also doula courses are invaluble and I would recommend for every L&D nurse. Also know that L&D / OB is not really what a student thinks it is... ever. Seems like a super happy great job, and it is... for the most part, but it is also a job where you are required to deal with awful gut wrenching things, that literally make you sick. The first time you are searching for and not finding fetal heart tones will make you want to disolve into a puddle, but you have to keep the game face on. After almost 13 years in it i can honestly say, it was not really what I thought it was going to be when I was in school. It's a huge rush - every delivery no matter how normal/ low risk it startes out as can turn into a horrible code situation in a heartbeat... literally and often it's totally up to you to spot it and figure out the issue and act to save those babies and moms. It's also a feild that requires you to be exceptionally sensitive and caring and at the same time quickly think critically and act appropriatly - more so then any other department. Also if you think amout the huge liability too much you get paralized and that makes for a crappy nurse. You have to have the right balance of confidence and fear. A L&D nurse without "the fear" is a very scary beast. The moment you think you have learned it all and seen it all is the moment to get out of OB

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