[JulieRN07]

Hello all! I am new RN grad and have been trying to get into L&D for months. Every place I talk to wants previous experience. Does anyone have any advice as to how I can get my foot in the door or know of any hospitals in Ohio that hire new grads?
Thank you so much!

[nursecher]

Originally Posted by JulieRN07

Hello all! I am new RN grad and have been trying to get into L&D for months. Every place I talk to wants previous experience. Does anyone have any advice as to how I can get my foot in the door or know of any hospitals in Ohio that hire new grads?
Thank you so much!

What part of Ohio? I am also interested in L&D but due to lack of positions in my area I am choosing to do Med/Surg for a year or two first. I know if you go down south there are a ton and its probably like that in any hospital that is that large. For example the hospital in my area delivers 100 babies a year, down there they deliver 2,000 per year. Good luck!

[JulieRN07]

I am actually down towards Cincinnati. We do have large hospitals here, but I have yet to find one that doesn't want experiance. I do have 3 years in med/surg as an LPN, even though I know its not exactly the same as being an RN. I don't know how I am supposed to get experiance if no one is willing to train me.

[nursecher]

Originally Posted by JulieRN07

I am actually down towards Cincinnati. We do have large hospitals here, but I have yet to find one that doesn't want experiance. I do have 3 years in med/surg as an LPN, even though I know its not exactly the same as being an RN. I don't know how I am supposed to get experiance if no one is willing to train me.

Maybe you should apply for those positions anyway. I think that the LPN med/surg experience is valuable. Again, you may end up working med/surg until something comes up. I understand your passion I too love L&D.

[MalgaBSN]

Sometimes there are positions that are internships in OB-- that would be a good place to start. Otherwise, get a job in a hospital with an OB unit that you want to work in and then transfer from within when an opportunity arises (better odds-- most hospitals hire from within first). You may have to take a crappy shift/hours. While you are waiting do some self study on Perinatal nursing, join AWHONN, and take some contiuing ed in perinatal areas because that will help to show your interest on your resume. Maybe get your certified lactation couselor training done (good healthy children CLC to find more). You may get into mother-baby first and then work your way to L&D.

[crissrn27]

I was just replying to another thread like this, and I told her to keep applying and really play up your hospital experience as a LPN. Around here (and I am in the south) they like at least 1 year hospital experience and don't really care if it is as a LPN or RN.

Good luck!

[GRAD0507]

Julie, another suggestion is ... are there any freestanding birth centers where you live? Most patients that go to these facilities to have their babies are low risk so get to see what the norm looks like and any experience you could get there would help. I totally agree with the fact that hospitals are a little "silly" with the fact that they want you to have experience but no one is very willing to give the experience so how in the world do you get it??

[Chloe'sinNYNow]

Hiya Julie,
as Malga stated, request a position on ante or post partum to get on the unit. They seem to be offered most. And in my experience they are where most units want you to work for 9 mos - a year while gaining valuable certification in various courses (FHM, EKG, NRP, ACLS...)

This is the course I am taking. I'm excited and scared all at the same time. I am relocating to take my dream job. It's there for you too. I'm also an new grad RN. I tried to convince myself that Oncology/Heme was a fit b/c it's all that was offered at the crazy time I graduated. But I looked waaaaaaaaaaay beyond my zip code.

PM me if you have any questions. I am crazy busy after driving Ga-NY-Ga to pack and move back to NY for my new job (um, I mean career! LOL ) But I will share all I have and know and have learned the hard way to get here!

Congrats on being a new grad and good luck w/ any decision you make!
Hugs,
Chloe

RN-BSN, BA

[jhhrn68]

I worked for one year on the skilled nursing unit in the hospital. Then I saw an opening on OB and applied. It was for part-time and that was what i wanted. I had absolutely no experience but the director was willing to give me a chance. They trained me for about 6 months. If you could afford to work part-time, this might be the way to go. then when full-time becomes available, you will be in a good position to get it.

[JulieRN07]

Thank you all for your advice!
I have a job offer for a med/surg postion in a hospital that has a family birthplace upstairs, and a job offer for phone triage in a OB/GYN office. Should I consiter one of these?