[mom2michael]

I feel your pain. I've been an ER nurse now for about 1.5 years and I want so very much to be a L&D nurse - all the openings want experience which you can't get unless you get that 1st job. And by experience, I've found they want L&D experience and not ER.

I'm crossing my fingers on my last job interview which was last week. It's a perfect size unit for me. I will start out on PP & WB initially and in about 6-9 months I'll start my orientation for L&D. Perfect for me.

I wish I had some great advice but I've been beating my head against this same wall as you. And I can't move - it is simply not possible.

[carolinapp]

Where can I find easily an Entry-Level position at L&D, Mother/Baby or some area related to it? I have been searching job for a month and I just got an interview for PP, that it didn't work because of a budget issue f the company. Anyway, most of these positions require some experience.But, I have to begin in somewhere to acquire it. Should I try to go to other specialty and then after 6 months or year transfer for L&D? Also, should I put on my resume's objective that I am an entry-level RN? However I graduated in 2004 back in Brazil, I just was able to get my license this last April at the U.S. Furthermore, I didn't get any experience as a RN back there because I relocated to here after my graduation, which I really regretted.
Please, help me because I am really frustrated it with all this search.

Thanks..
Carol

[kiwilime81]

I too am curious about this - I work occasionally as a doula (volunteer) so I have been in the birthing units independently with the mom and absolutely love it. I am 100% sure that is where I want go with my career, but it seems so difficult to obtain the right skills, etc. I have been told that all the L&D units require at least 1 yr. of med-surg (at my hospital) before they will consider you for any of the birth related units. I work in a fairly large hospital and we have about 3500 - 4000 births per year, so I know that it would be a great hospital to get experience in. I am just not sure of where to try to apply for my first nursing job if I can't get into "Babyland" right away. I am transferring now as a CNA from a med/surg/ortho floor to a gynecological/medical floor to hopefully learn more. We do get some antepartum overflow as well. I guess I will just try to do an externship in Babyland next summer and hopefully get my clinical preceptorship/transition in fourth semester in L&D and/or mother/baby. Any suggestions would be much appreciated!!!