How do I "specialize" in the nursing field?

Question

I am about to start college for nursing to eventually become a Registered Nurse(Associates Degree Nursing). I would like to go on to be a maternity nurse, helping and dealing with pregnant and birthing mothers and also new babies. Do I need special training besides the nursing program my school offers to go into this field of medicine? Also is it possible to go further than RN(Associates Degree Nursing) through a college?

Answer 1

You can get a BS degree in nursing. Also, if you want to specialize in one field,request from your local hospital to do an internship in that dept. while attending school...although most hospitals require you be in your 2nd/3rd. qtr. before interning! WONDERFUL field...Good Luck!!!

Answer 2

All nursing specialties are basically obtained as "on the job training"; some offer certificates later on once you have worked in that field; but as of now, there are no specialty schools.  You have 2 options: 1. find a hospital that offers a "new grad" training & orientation program to perinatal nursing.  Often these are structures training programs of a few month (to 6 or so); you work along side a mentor & get more training. 2. Working in a general nurse floor position (usually med-surg) 1-2 years and then transferring into a L&D/perinatal position.  It depends on what's available in your area as to which route you could chose. As to your last question; you could become a BSRN and eventually a nurse practitioner (Masters) or even a nurse-midwife, if you so chose. You will need nursing experience however before you can consider NP or similar. Goos luck.