[KayceeLeeRN]

Why is it so hard to get into L&D? I want to be in L&D very much, but it looks like there are no opportunities out there...they all require previous L&D experience. So how do I gain L&D experience to begin with?

I am just very sad. I don't want to go back to med surg, but it looks like that is the only opportunity available for me if I want to work with patients.

I guess I'm just venting. Does anyone know what I can do?

[BlueHenRN]

First of all, there's high retention. People who are in L & D don't want to leave! Also, because L & D is pretty specialized, it takes a lot of time and manpower to orient someone with no L & D experience. The few spots that are open to those with no OB experience are snatched up quickly and are also competitive. And, because of our population, nurses are needed more for areas with older patients. These areas also have higher turnovers than L & D.
Don't give up! If this is what you truly want, to the point where you'd relocate, I'm sure with enough time and patience, you can find something! This is also a difficult time of year to find a new job (trust me, I just did it myself!) because lots of people are graduating and HRs are swamped.
Where do you live/where would you be willing to move? What kind of experience do you have and how much? I'll help you search the internet. (I'm an expert now thanks to my exhausting job search).
Jess

[futurecnm]

Do you have nursing experience? I think maybe it depends on the hospital and how in need they are of RN's. If they can be picky they probably choose those with experience. However, I would think once you get in a hospital you probably have a good shot of transferring. My preceptor from last summer just switched from med/surg to L&D after a year working there. I also know a new grad that just interviewed in L&D last week but haven't heard if she got the job. i think it is pretty tough to get in as a new grad, but after you work a while shoudl be easier to get in.

[GrumpyRN63]

My lg teaching hospital hires new grads in L & D, altho I have worked there w/. 10 yrs of onc and other experience first and I would think it would be quite overwhelming as a new grad, well we are a 900 bed hospital w/ a huge high risk population, so the demographics would sure make a difference, maybe easier to start in a smaller hospital w/ low risk population. I would suggest some type of med/surg or maternal special care experience first

[pugluvr310]

I've heard, from talking to a few nurses - not from personal experience, that L&Ds really love ICU experience. Since they are specialized, and they are a type of critical care unit a lot of managers look for people with ICU or critical care experience so if a critical situation does arise they know how to handle it. So maybe, if you can't get into L&D just yet, try an ICU, or step-down unit. While it may not be your first choice, you never know, you could end up loving it and never want to leave! Good luck with whatever you decide to do!

[rnheart]

I started in labor and delivery fresh out of school and I will tell you it was hard if I had to do it over again I dont know that I would do it any different. The Universities hire Grads and the experience you will get there will be priceless. You wont see nearly as much at a smaller hospital. Keep looking and searching.You might consider Postpartum till you can get into a labor and delivery or critical care labor and delivery does love critical care experience.

Good luck

[KT-Jay731]

I would look at a smaller hospital; I just accepted a position on L&D in a small local hospital and the larger hospitals I applied to never even called me back. Like a PP I've also heard that L&D RNs do well in ICU even ER.
Good luck with your search!!

[WSUnurse]

I too am having trouble getting an L&D job. It was what I went to nursing school for. I live in Spokane,WA and am having trouble even getting an interview. I am a fairly new nurse (graduated in December) and have been working on a med-surg floor. I really do not want to be a med-surg nurse. I would love to try my hand at L&D, but they all want L&D experience. I own my house so it isn't very feasible for me to just move to a new area. Any suggestions? Please help!!!

[gemininurse71]

WSUnurse, I work L&D in Spokane. I started in post-partum and worked my way into L&D. It takes time (I was lucky, it only took a year in post-partum), but it is possible. Several of the long-timers in our unit (SHMC) will be retiring in the next 5 years, so just keep trying. Good luck! You can PM me if you want.

Alison

[HeartsOpenWide]

I am doing a preceptorship this summer in L&D in one of the local hospitals. I am going to work my butt off so they see that I am someone they would want on their team when I graduate...maybe you should look into somthing like what I am doing, they even offer preceptorships for people that have already graduated.