[fahamesha]

Hello everyone,
I am new student nurse at Drexel University I will be finished by next August 22,2003 . I am really interested in becoming a labor and delivery nurse however I have been looking at the job openings for labor and delivery nurses and they want you to have at least one year of experience. I would like to know how would I be able to do this as a new nurse? Any information would be helpful. Thank you Mesha

[Teshiee]

As a new grad check out teaching hospitals. Some facilities offer training courses in L&D. You shouldn't have any problems considering your specialty is sought after and it is a nursing shortage of experience nurses. That is how I got into NICU. I took a training course of 12 weeks. 2 days of class and 3 days with a preceptor on the floor. It was very nice. I learned a lot and you are never alone. I did try L&D and it is not my forte but if you really like it you will love the training. Good luck

[fahamesha]

Thanks Teshiee who do I contact would it be the nursing supervisor or do I look for the classes in human resources. Also do you get paid during this training? Thanks for all of your help.


Mesha

[fergus51]

I would contact human resources first and if that doesn't pan out, try to get a hold of the unit manager. I did a similar orientation for L&D as a new grad, and you are paid during that time as a regular employee.

[SmilingBluEyes]

I agree with Fergus, as usual. I wish you the best of luck. Would love you among our ranks!

[fahamesha]

Thanks so much I will let you know when I get to that point. Also I will keep you guys updated with how my program is going. Can I come to you guys for feedback on things during my nursing education. Thanks Mesha

[kmrmom42]

Sure, we would be glad to help! I strongly believe that experienced nurses have a responsibility to encourage and support new nurses on their way up. We need to get rid of that "eat the young" mentality that so many have! Sounds like you are on the right track. I hope you find a good job that you will be happy with!
Karen

[beepers40]

One thing I wanted to add here is the importance of getting assigned to an L&D unit for your senior preceptorship. The three of us in my class (class of 2001) who did our senior preceptorships in L&D all ended up with job offers from our respective hospitals--in my hospital's case it was the first time anyone could remember the hospital offering L&D training positions to new grads, and they hired seven of us, along with five experienced nurses, for the training program that began the September after we graduated. Incidentally, all the new grads stuck it out and made it through the program, but we lost three of the five experienced nurses along the way. Most of us are still there two years later.

[fourbirds4me]

I would say ditto to Beepers and many hospitals hire students as "nurse techs" you could check that out.

[nrsnan_1]

I went to nursing school with the intention of being an L&D nurse and have been one for about 15 years now. My senior year of college, I did an internship in a L&D unit that did about 5000 births a year. I worked 3 days a week, 8 hours a day and that was an invaluable experience. When I graduated and began applying for jobs, I was met with the "work in medsurg" thing, too. I used my internship experience to convince my employers to hire me directly into OB. I have never regretted jumping into OB. I have floated to other units many times and while I always enjoy taking are of patients, OB is where my heart is.

Best of luck to you!