Hi,
I am interested in becoming a labor and delivery nurse. I am confused on which way to get there. Should I get a ASN or BSN? What does the hospitals want to see on my resume? are any online colleges worthwhile? what was your educational path? any info is greatly appreciated!! thanks,
Melissa
I am currently in a BSN program with one semester left. From what I hear from instructors if you want to continue your education such as getting a masters degree or be a nurse manager or other higher positions a BSN is the best. So I guess it just depends on where you want to go in nursing.
The only way to get there for those hiring into our local hospital is to be a masters prepaired R N focusing on O B/ GYN, other than that it takes time and seniority to get there. My mother who is also a nurse has her BSN she was also a nurse for 17 years before she got a posting in OB she also had to work OB as a second unit before getting a fulltime posting. most new OB/GYN nurses get to handle the GYN cases first for a couple of years before getting the gravy job of L&D (I on the otherhand would rather handle a floor full of GI bleeds than listen to all those family members bicker over who gets to hold the baby first or listen to a nursery full of babies going through opiate withdrawls because of all the drugs MOM took while pregnant for them), No it's not the unit for me. (Probably got spoiled when MY first delivery went bad)
As an after thaught : How long have you been a nurse?
Have you ever actualy worked L&D?
"BECAUSE I SAID SO" IS NOT A GOOD ENOUGH REASON.
Re: Education question
No i am not a nurse yet i am just starting my career in school. I have alot to learn and many years of experience ahead of me hopefully. Thank you for the info.
Melissa
You can always start out with your ADN, then go for your BSN if there's a question of finances. Keep in mind, though, that OB has a higher chance of lawsuits.
Good grades help, invovlment in school/nursing related activities help. Good luck in school!
'Cat'
I'm a L/D nurse who graduated with an AD and started working and kept going and got my BSN. On my L/D unit the manager has a masters in management and there is one other BSN nurse the rest are AD. There are managers at my hospital that are AD. It depends on where you are. New grads have been hired on my unit 1 last year and before that it was about 5 years abot since we even had a fill a position. I have 15 years and I'm just in the middle of seniority as there are nurses on my unit for over 25 years it's a community hospital and most of the nurses were even born at the hospital and don't leave...I hope to leave soon maybe this summer... but then I wasn't born or raised in this town they just had the job when I was looking.
I started in L+D straight out of nursing school with an ADN over 15 years ago. I have done staff nursing, charge, and was supervisor for an L+D unit. And I have had no trouble getting travel assignments with my ADN. But I'll start working on my BSN this Jan just because it want it, not because the lack thereof has hindered my career in any way. I've seen nurses hired into L+D straight out of school and worked in units where they had to have 2 years in med-surg before getting into L+D. It just depends on where you are. Check with the local hospitals where you might want to work. That being said, if I had to start school now, I would definitely just go for the BSN. Most ADN programs now in my area make you finish the pre-reqs before you can apply for the 2-yr nursing part anyway. (You could do it all in 2 yrs when I went thru) You can have 3-4 years invested in a 2-year degree, or you can spend the 4 and have the BSN.
L+D is not all fun and games, cooing at newborn's and interacting with families. Contact a L+D nurse in your area and see what experiences "generalized" they can share with you without violating confidentiality. some of the stories can make your skin crawl. Granted lots of happy families come and go from the unit but just one bad experience can make or break a nurse, especialy a new grad.
Most of the gals I went to school with wanted to go into L+D but none of them are currently working OB now and as far as I know they have all found units they like more, or they found out in clinicals that it wasn't the unit for them.
So keep an open mind and maintain a strong constitution; just in case, not everyone is cut out for LONG TERM CARE (nursing homes) either, and by all means don't limit yourself you may find that a cardiac ward is where you thrive with drips going and adrenaline flowing by the bucket load, all heck breaking loose all around and everyone may be looking at you wondering how you keep such a level head.
After you have had the experiences on the floor is the time to decide what you truely want to do with your skills, don't be your own downfall by placing a set of blinders on your future.
Best of luck: ORION
"BECAUSE I SAID SO" IS NOT A GOOD ENOUGH REASON.
It may depend on what part of the country you are in and what your experience is. The shortage may help you. My daughter is a unit clerk on a L&D floor who is attending nursing school, and they have let her know that they expect her to work on the floor when she graduates. I am discouraging this, she needs some good ol' fashioned med/surg experience to develop her skills. I worked L&D and can add my voice to the replies that it is not all fun and games. I love the moms and babies, but got tired of dealing with 15 family members milling around the birthing room waiting for the big event.
at most places i have worked...RN is RN whether ASN or BSN...at least in the clinical setting...experience is what employers want...additionally...if you are young, go the BSN route... it is much easier to do before the commitments of family...marriage...mortgage..ect... and if you get burned out clinically and want to explore management or advanced certifcation you won't have to go back and fininsh your BSN first...just a thought:cool:
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