What is the freaking deal with OB?

KelRN215, BSN, RN · May 10, 2015

It's what many consider one of the few happy areas of nursing.

Personally, I found OB dreadfully boring and it was my least favorite area in nursing school.

jena5111, ASN, RN · May 11, 2015

My best advice is don't rule anything out and say you'd never want to do it if you haven't done yet, and don't expect to love anything you haven't done yet. Nursing is an amazing world of unexpectedness.

Agree wholeheartedly.

I began my third (of four) nursing school semesters in January thinking--OB? Postpartum? NO WAY! (We also had peds and mental health rotations this semester).

Now that it's over, I leave PP/OB thinking I would love to practice in these areas as a nurse! Never saw that coming; rented my textbook from Amazon months ago because I was so certain, "Yep, that one's going back."

I can see myself starting in PP and then cross-training in L&D (since those jobs are harder to come by as a new grad).

But we'll see! I am happy to work in whatever acute care unit that's willing to hire a new grad.

Take home message: Be open to experience as a nursing student; don't steadfastly rule things in or out until you've actually spent some time in the areas you "love" or "hate".

nekozuki, LPN · May 13, 2015

1. Because babies, dude.

2. Can't throw out your back moving patients that weigh six pounds apiece.

3. Humans that don't talk are always more tolerable than those that do.

4. Birth is a miraculous event, with golden light beaming down straight from heaven on you as a choir of angels sing in latin.

5. Less poop, more cuddling babies.

6. Re-enact all your favorite scenes from "Look Who's Talkin'!"

Shhhh, It's fine, just let the young ones idealize L&D/OB. They'll find out soon enough during their first c-section observation, when the attending docs have them stand in the splash zone (it's how nursing students get "baptized" on the L&D floor 'round these parts).

sandytoes · May 13, 2015

Why do so many pre-nursing/nursing/new grads want to work in OB/L&D?
My question isn't "What's it like to work in those units?" But what makes so many not-yet-nurses THINK they want to work those units.

I was one of those who went into it after having kids because my experience was rocky yet awesome. But then once in school discovered it was not for me and so many other things were much more exciting. The ideas of babies and happy families is alluring but most people don't think far enough to see the family drama, fetal demise, and intense overall pressure that goes on in L&d! I will never say never, but for now, no thank you - not for me!!

ixchel · May 14, 2015

I think often they get wrapped in the joy of birth. Honestly, a healthy pregnancy and birth is a beautiful and inspiring event. I'm one of those crazy people who loves being pregnant and sharing in the magic of others' pregnancies.

But the reality of OB nursing is that the highest highs are matched with the lowest lows. The last day I got pulled to OB, we had stillborn twins, a hemorrhage that required resuscitation, an NAS'er whose mom wasn't told yet that chances are, baby's gonna be there for weeks, and a postpartum child who had been gang raped. My initial love in nursing was OB. At least in critical care, I come to work expecting tragic stories and support families who expected mom or dad to make their way to the happy hunting ground.

cocoa_puff · May 14, 2015

Not me!!! OB is the last place I want to end up (aside from psych that is). Massaging the fundus, checking lochia, pelvic exams, and "teaching" breastfeeding is my nightmare. :yawn: Give me a patient with diabetic ketoacidosis or cardiac tamponade anyday over a crazy, obsessive mom with a birth plan. OB just really frustrates and bores me. I don't feel challenged by it. Birth is amazing and everything, but I prefer EKGs, heart rhythms, and electrolyte imbalances/ABG stuff :sneaky:

johsonmichelle · May 17, 2015

I'm not sure what the deal is either, in my clinical rotation one of patients asked for methadone immediately after birth ( drug addicted) and was substituting alcohol for drugs. Another one of my patients did not even acknowledge her baby, not once and the "father" did not even want to hold the baby. Their can be lots of family drama too.

xxdiscoxxheaven · May 17, 2015

Well as a new graduate, I am aiming to work in L&D or PP. I have worked for an OB/GYN office for almost two years and did my final 120 hour leadership clinical in postpartum at the busiest hospital in my city. I like teaching and it would be my career if I wasn't nursing. I know it isn't playing with babies or glitter. It is just as busy and stressful seeing as I had up to 6 couplets at a time.

meanmaryjean, DNP, RN · May 18, 2015

The second-to-last place I would EVER work is OB. (First is a burn unit).

My reasons are different. I did not become a nurse to provide a spa-type experience for childbirth. I have a low tolerance for BS, and would get canned in about an hour for calling shenanigans on some of what is expected of nurses on many OB units.