Labor and Delivery Nurse

In my last post I spoke about how there is an old "idea" that you have to work in med-surg before being able to work on a specialty unit. This old idea isn't necessarily accurate anymore. It is possible (very difficult but possible) to begin your nursing career on a specialty unit. This is important to me because there are a few different specialties I am interested in. Being interested in a specialty unit means I'll have to work extra hard and get some extra certifications if needed. But all of that would be totally worth it if I am able to begin my career doing my dream job. 

One of the specialties I am interested in is the Labor and Delivery unit. From what I have seen, experienced, read and, heard from current L&D nurses being an L&D nurse is something I can really see myself doing. I personally know four L&D nurses and have really enjoyed picking their brains and learning what all is involved on the unit. 

To put it simply, labor and delivery nurses help bring precious babies into the world everyday. But there is more to it than that amazing part of the job. L&D nurses monitor the mother and baby during labor this includes, monitoring the babies heart rate, the mother's blood pressure, temperature, contractions, and cervical dilation. Labor and delivery nurses coach the mother during labor and childbirth with breathing and to help the delivery to be as comfortable and smooth as possible. L&D nurses assist the doctor during delivery and work along other healthcare professionals. They also help prepare the mother and family for the different stages of delivery. Once the baby is born the L&D nurse's job is not over. 

Who wouldn't want to have her job?!

Working on this unit could be stressful but so rewarding being a part of the delivery of a healthy baby. I am definitely looking forward to getting the opportunity to shadow and getter a closer look on the labor and delivery unit and see how I would feel. In the meantime I will continue to read Shelly's blog adventures of a labor nurse.