5 answers
denise
Student
Arlington, Texas
8
Questions
Asked
1394 views
How do I figure out if I want to be an L&D nurse, NICU, or a midwife?
Hi i'm a senior this year and I've been into be a l&d nurse since I was a freshman I've taken college classes for two years, human growth and development classes, psychology, and I took a certification class( I didn't get the certification bc I had personal things happening) and since last year I've been looking into the areas for pregnancy and postpartum not realizing how many jobs there really were. How do I figure out what would fit me the best? I love taking care of people and learning about pregnancy and postpartum but i'm just not sure what i'd be the best at.
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3 answers
Jeffrey Wallk
Product Management & Knowledge Engineering
15
Answers
Schaumburg, Illinois
Updated
Jeffrey’s Answer
A lot depends on your interests and motivations. Here are a few key points that may help:
L&D is for someone who thrives on a dynamic and acute care environment. Do you have the desire to witness and support the life-changing moment of birth? Are you passionate about guiding people through labor, providing hands-on support, and acting as a primary advocate during a critical life event? If yes to the above then this may be a good fit.
The NICU cares for the most fragile and vulnerable patients. Are you detail-oriented, patient, and find fulfillment in seeing tiny, critically ill infants grow and become healthy enough to go home? Do you want to support and educate the parents through an incredibly stressful and emotional time? This might be a good option.
The CNM is driven by a passion for holistic, comprehensive care and patient autonomy. This centers on your beliefs about the natural process of childbirth and empowering patients to make long term decisions about their own healthcare? Do you want to build long-term relationships with patients? Are you passionate about providing care not just during pregnancy but throughout different life stages? This may be the right path.
L&D is for someone who thrives on a dynamic and acute care environment. Do you have the desire to witness and support the life-changing moment of birth? Are you passionate about guiding people through labor, providing hands-on support, and acting as a primary advocate during a critical life event? If yes to the above then this may be a good fit.
The NICU cares for the most fragile and vulnerable patients. Are you detail-oriented, patient, and find fulfillment in seeing tiny, critically ill infants grow and become healthy enough to go home? Do you want to support and educate the parents through an incredibly stressful and emotional time? This might be a good option.
The CNM is driven by a passion for holistic, comprehensive care and patient autonomy. This centers on your beliefs about the natural process of childbirth and empowering patients to make long term decisions about their own healthcare? Do you want to build long-term relationships with patients? Are you passionate about providing care not just during pregnancy but throughout different life stages? This may be the right path.
Martha Kramer
Corporate Training, Communications
480
Answers
Stamford, Connecticut
Updated
Martha’s Answer
Hi Denise - this is an excellent question and you have already received insightful questions to help you decide your career path. I would reiterate that L & D nurses and midwives are working with people in pain and under stress, but the outcome is usually fine, in fact, joyous. Since they work with patients longer, they get to create more of a bond. You get to decide whether this is good or bad for you. By definition, however, every baby in the NICU is either sick or at risk. You may be fine with that and likely will learn strategies for dealing with the related emotions, but it is something to consider.
A few more thoughts:
- Have you checked with the career center at your school? The knowledge and counseling experience of their counselors may help you make a decision.
- Your department head or professors in pre-med courses may have insights to help you.
- Do you know people in any of these roles or in roles adjacent to them? They may have insights, especially if they know you well also.
- There appear to lots of quizzes online (links to two below) to help you choose a nursing specialty. The act of answering the questions may give you insights, regardless of the outcome. If you keep getting the same outcome, you may want to look more closely into specialty.
Good luck!
Mayo Clinic - https://jobs.mayoclinic.org/nursonality
Incredible health - https://www.incrediblehealth.com/nurse-specialty-quiz/
A few more thoughts:
- Have you checked with the career center at your school? The knowledge and counseling experience of their counselors may help you make a decision.
- Your department head or professors in pre-med courses may have insights to help you.
- Do you know people in any of these roles or in roles adjacent to them? They may have insights, especially if they know you well also.
- There appear to lots of quizzes online (links to two below) to help you choose a nursing specialty. The act of answering the questions may give you insights, regardless of the outcome. If you keep getting the same outcome, you may want to look more closely into specialty.
Good luck!
Martha recommends the following next steps:
Ubani Serah
Midwife
3
Answers
Lagos, Nigeria
Updated
Ubani’s Answer
Hi,
I want to commend you for going out of your way to acquire more skills for yourself.
From your write up, I saw that you are interested in taking care of pregnant women, that shows passion for mother and child.
However you also have to work with your motivation because without it, everything you are aiming may be futile
In midwifery, one to be very careful because you are dealing with two or more individual,and this is where passion come in.
NICU has to do with neonatal children which also need passion and motivation. Those human being may not talk, but their life depends on your and how you handle them.
In every course you choose empathy and efficient is very crucial
I want to commend you for going out of your way to acquire more skills for yourself.
From your write up, I saw that you are interested in taking care of pregnant women, that shows passion for mother and child.
However you also have to work with your motivation because without it, everything you are aiming may be futile
In midwifery, one to be very careful because you are dealing with two or more individual,and this is where passion come in.
NICU has to do with neonatal children which also need passion and motivation. Those human being may not talk, but their life depends on your and how you handle them.
In every course you choose empathy and efficient is very crucial
Thank you I am very empathic and i've been trying to learn about the medical field and especially ob and everything to do with infant development im very thankful for your comment
denise