Why did YOU choose OB nursing?

Envy · Apr 21, 2006

I almost quit nursing school because I didn't like any of the clinicals and I thought that Ihad made a judgement error in going into nursing. Then came my clincals in L&D. My very first clinical in L&D was in a hospital I had never been to. The patient came to the unit crowning--the nurse and I barely had time to get her clothes off. The nurse delivered the baby and handed the baby boy to me.That nurse was so calm and made the birthing experiece a wonderful one for the patient. I just knew that I wanted to be that nurse. I've been in L&D ever since. It's a great job. One where you get to see people fall in love as they see their baby for the first time.

gdelrosa · Apr 21, 2006

I think I want to be an L & D nurse as well. I think this specialty is so different from everything else. I am currently going thru this rotation and love it!

SmilingBluEyes · Apr 21, 2006

I did it because I wanted to be part of the miracle of the births of new families and generations. And I am not disappointed most days. But it does get hard being in a litigious field like OB, believe me.

JaneyW · Apr 23, 2006

Many reasons. I like having only 1 or 2 patients and spending a lot of time with them during an important transition in their lives. I love concentrating on one area of nursing instead of being a 'jack of all trades'. I LOVE to teach (am currently pursuing an MSN to teach nursing!) and there are countless opportunities for that in OB. There is something new to be learned every day both for myself and for my patients.

I am not a birth junkie or really much of a baby lover. I am more into the process for the parents and the baby. I had good and bad care/nursing during my own birth experiences and try to facilitate a positive start for my patients. I have only done L&D and now a bit of PP and I haven't regreted specializing from the start.

JaneyW · Apr 23, 2006

No flaming me for not being a baby lover!! I like babies fine, but I guess I was trying to point out that it wasn't what motivated me to work in OB.

Future_RN_Kamaria · Apr 23, 2006

This is the kind of Nurse I want to be....A L&D Nurse...

jrring1019 · Apr 24, 2006

I went into OB nursing because I was honestly burned out with floor nursing. Then I realized it was what I really wanted to do. I love what I do.

The best part was that I suddenly had patients who appreciated me and remembered what I did for them (as opposed to floor nursing). I really like that I can bond well with my pts, especially in L&D. Even from my own birth experiences I remember every detail of my labor/delivery (including my nurses) but my PP days are a bit fuzzy.

RaeT,RN · Apr 24, 2006

It was the sheer amazement of the whole process for me - and, to be a positive part of such a huge moment for women and their families. I absolutely LOVE my job and really believe that I am where I am supposed to be.

I must say, though: I am a new grad coming up on 9 months experience - you guys, this is NOT a cushy area of nursing. It is very hard, and nothing prepares you for it. 95% of the time it is the happiest place on earth, but the other 5% it tears your heart out and makes you question your decision. It is worth it if you do decide to go into it, though, but just remember it is stressful and (as Deb likes to say) the learning curve is very, very steep.

Best of luck to you as you finish school!

shukry · Apr 26, 2006

I will be taking OB/PED next fall, and after reading all your postive experiences I will consider it to be one of my choices. I have no idea where I am going - 'am just going to have an open mind until I stumble into something magical like Envy did.

OBnurse3 · Apr 28, 2006

I became an OB nurse because where else can you get paid so see miracles all day long?? It has really increased my self-respect just for being a woman...and obviously for all other women as well...our bodies are truely amazing.

BethAnnG · May 1, 2006

I went into OB nursing for a couple reasons. 1) I needed a change of scenery from working at a community health center. 2) I loved OB from the moment I stepped onto the floor in nursing school. Most days it is really happy and miraculous. The 3% of the time that it's bad, well, it's really bad and it breaks your heart and you can't sleep afterward. Very fortunately, that is not the norm, even in high risk pregnancies. It is really cool to see the formation of new families.