[*Bethany*]

My goal is to be a CNM..but I'm wondering what are the chances of working in the department I want (L&D)? I'm very new to this board and I really don't know how any of this nursing stuff works. When you're a new nurse, do you have a choice in what department you work in (assuming you work in a hospital). The only reason I want to do nursing is to end up some day as a CNM, so I'd really only like to work in departments that would be pertinent to this goal. Such as L&D or mom/baby care.

[ChristineN]

Hi Bethany, I've wondered the same thing. I've been told that my local women's hospital isn't to thrilled about putting new grads in L&D. Some suggestions I've been given to build experince from nurses has been, work/volunteer at birth center, work in NICU (you'll be working with babies, and building skills you may need in your CNM practice) or work in med-surg(general nursing skills never hurt). I like the birth center suggestion best

[*Bethany*]

I'd love to work in a birth center (it would actually be preferable over a hospital setting for me) but there are none in my area.

[ChristineN]

Originally Posted by *Bethany*

I'd love to work in a birth center (it would actually be preferable over a hospital setting for me) but there are none in my area.

Perhaps you could volunteer/work part-time with a CNM or OB in their office?

[dansamy]

As a new grad, the hospitals in my area practically offered you whatever area you wanted. I took a Peds day shift. I have a friend going to OR, another to Tele. Several went to ERs and ICUs in the area.

[TheCommuter]

If you are willing and ready to work the increasingly unpopular night shifts at the hospital, then you might have a pretty good chance of finding a position on the L&D unit. Quite a few L&D nursing jobs become available every year, but the hours are during the night time (7pm to 7am or 11pm to 7am). Many nurses who are desperate to break into L&D often turn these night shifts down because family obligations dictate that they must work during the daytime hours.

To sum this all up, the chances of getting hired into L&D are good if you are willing to start out on nights.

[dansamy]

Originally Posted by TheCommuter

If you are willing and ready to work the increasingly unpopular night shifts at the hospital, then you might have a pretty good chance of finding a position on the L&D unit. Quite a few L&D nursing jobs become available every year, but the hours are during the night time (7pm to 7am or 11pm to 7am). Many nurses who are desperate to break into L&D often turn these night shifts down because family obligations dictate that they must work during the daytime hours.

To sum this all up, the chances of getting hired into L&D are good if you are willing to start out on nights.

QFT. I could have gone L&D or nursery, if I took nights. My main interest is women's/children's areas. OB, L&D, Nursery, Peds, Post-Partum The only unit of interest where I could get days was Peds.

[*Bethany*]

Are there evening shifts? Or are the shifts either day OR night? I think I'd be willing to do a night shift, but it would be hard to figure out logistics with the three children we have.

[TheCommuter]

Originally Posted by *Bethany*

Are there evening shifts? Or are the shifts either day OR night? I think I'd be willing to do a night shift, but it would be hard to figure out logistics with the three children we have.

Some hospitals still offer 8-hour shifts such as 7am to 3pm, 3pm to 11pm, and 11pm to 7am.

[*Bethany*]

I guess I should have worded my question differently. I've only seen people talk of shifts like 7am-7pm...or 7pm-7am. I haven't seen anyone mention any 5pm-10 or 12midnight type shifts....