How to get L&D experience

You could try working as a student tech in the nursery or L&D..it's what my cousin is doing. You'd get a bit of experience anyway.

I did three hundred extra precepted clinical hours in labor and delivery, became a certified doula, got my NRP while still in school, and took a beginning midwifery course with a licensed midwife. Another girl in my class also got hired into L&D after graduating because she was working as a unit clerk in our L&D unit.

How did you become a Doula?

I want to go into Labor and Delivery, but did not get offered the new grad RN at my local hospital. I did my internship there, but they are only hiring current employee who work there as aides and clerks. I use to work at that same hospital in past in Mother-Baby as an aide, but left due to nursing school. I currently work in Med-Surg at another hospital, but I really want to do Labor and Delivery. Will being a doula help to get some type of experience? I also want to become or take midwifery classes, but they dont offer it here in Hawaii =(

I got my doula training though Child Birth International. It was only $350.00 if I remember correctly. The teachings were all on line so totally doable with a school schedule. You have to read a certain # of books; write reports on them; attend child birth education classes; take there three courses; Communication (which requires a essay),Anatomy/Physio (which requires on-line quizes), and Doula skills; and attend two births (which requires a write up on each).

Many hospitals have nursing apprentices or nurse interns, in various units.. This is for nursing students that have finished 2 or so semesters in nursing school.. Try calling some of the hospitals you are interested working.. Call their Nurse Recruiter..
It might get your foot in the door, also you could find out if you really want to work there after graduation

Thanks for all the info HeartsOpenWide! Do you feel that your Doula training has been beneficial?

I am in Hawaii as well..there are (or were) a few different doula classes offered every few months or so. I had started a course but was so sick from being pregnant so I decided to put it off for the time being. There is also a midwife organization..I'll google and see what I can find or you can pm me directly. Can I ask which facility you applied to for L and D?

Some hospitals (none that I have found in Hawaii other than Tripler..and you have to be military to enroll in their course) have a new grad or re-entry program with didactic time and shadowing but it varies among facilities. I had looked into one in the bay area of California (thru Sutter) but it is postponed for now.

here you go..

http://www.midwiveshawaii.com/aboutmah.htm

It has helped me. The skills I have to help a woman in labor are not what I learned in nursing school, but as a doula. Plus the Grant I am working on steamed from my Nurse Manager's idea that I offered to take on which impressed her and probably contributed to me getting hired into L&D as a new grad; but it was not the only thing.