how long did it take for you to get into L&D nursing?

RNnicu42 · Nov 26, 2012

My first acute care RN job was a perinatal nurse (PP, L&D and antepartum). The only other nursing I did before this was home health flu clinics. It took my a year after graduating to land the job but I couldnt imagine myself working anywhere else. I have always known that maternal/child nursing was my place and even though I did apply to med/surg jobs, my passion for OB is what ultimately landed me my perinatal position. I have been in the position for 8 months and do not feel like I have missed out on anything. Why not start applying now?

melmarie23, MSN, RN · Nov 26, 2012

I became licensed in July 2010 and had a few interviews (L&D and LTC) and got neither. But I was also visibly pregnant, and also a new grad......so yeah. Not surprised I didnt get those jobs.

My first floor job was a per diem float between a med/surg unit and an acute rehab unit in hospital. I started that in April 2011 (my son was 3 months then). I applied for another maternity position that June (per diem on an LDRP unit), interviewd in July and started in August. I quit my first job, the float, in December 2011 and have been exclusively doing the maternity nursing gig since. I went from per diem to part time nights this past April (was offered either FT or PT and opted for PT because I was pregnant and due with my second son this past July).

So in short, I was working med/surg/rehab for almost 4 months before I started working in the maternity setting. :-)

anggelRN · Nov 26, 2012

I started in labor and delivery and really don't see myself doing anything else.

Fyreflie · Nov 26, 2012

I started in labor and delivery and really don't see myself doing anything else.

Me too!

NurseJessie2 · Nov 26, 2012

My first acute care RN job was a perinatal nurse (PP, L&D and antepartum). The only other nursing I did before this was home health flu clinics. It took my a year after graduating to land the job but I couldnt imagine myself working anywhere else. I have always known that maternal/child nursing was my place and even though I did apply to med/surg jobs, my passion for OB is what ultimately landed me my perinatal position. I have been in the position for 8 months and do not feel like I have missed out on anything. Why not start applying now?

I love the hospital I am at now and I want to stay there for my whole career but they don't have any l&d positions open right now. I'm not sure if I should contact the nurse manager on that floor, or just wait for an open position. I font have any connections that floor so I'm thinking it might be difficult to get hired. I did apply to another hospitals l& d unit thinking if I get experience I can always apply once a position opens in my hospital.

HeartsOpenWide, RN · Nov 26, 2012

I got into L&D right out of school. ER experience can be good or bad, great for the skills; but remember L&D is way more holistic, my experience with ER nurses is that that are a lot less holistic; to put it nicely...I don't have thick enough skin to be an ER nurse.

Alikatz · Nov 28, 2012

I landed a super L&D job right out of school! Definitely can't see myself anywhere else!

knufflebunny · Dec 5, 2012

I got a job in L&D a month after I got my license. I applied all over S. CA and the only hospital that called me was in the boonies but I took it!! I relocated my whole family out here...and I LOVE it! I can't imagine myself anywhere else. As for tips...start looking now!!! Don't wait. Get your resume out there, apply, and let the nurse manager know that you are interested in L&D. If she says there are no open positions, keep checking back. One nurse did that on my unit, kept calling and bugging her...are you ready for me yet?! :) But do it in a nice friendly way. Get to know her. She will keep you in mind once a position opens up. But don't wait a year...you already have a foot in the door so you are WAY ahead of most new grads.

MommyandRN · Dec 7, 2012

I've been an adult nurse for over 10 years and it is impossible to get into L&D, NICU, or Mother/Baby. I'm frustrated. Most of the time I don't get a call back. I went on one interview and didn't get the job. I am discouraged. Is there something I can do? I have awesome experience in terms of adult ICU and surgicenter. My heart is with babies. I wish I chose this specialty right out of school. It seems new grads get hired and I can't.

chaunie59 · Dec 10, 2012

I graduated in 2008 and have been working in med/surg. I did my preceptorship in the nursery and had been trying to get back there. After 7 months of constantly applying to NICU/L&D/mother-baby , I have been offered a NICU position. My advice is dont give up and make it known what your "dream job" is. And pray.

lbingham · Dec 11, 2012

I graduated May2011. I wanted more than anything to go into L&D. However, I took the advice of EVERY nurse Ive come into contact with and went and got that foundational Med-Surg experience... I have been working the CRAZIEST floor in the entire hospital since then... i have seen nurses that went straight to OB/GYN womans floor get pulled up to my floor and just not have some of those foundational skills I have mastered. I had been applying online for positions at my hospital for the past several months with no success so I went to my manager and asked about the best way to go about getting in that specialty. I dont know if this is the way it is where u r but she told me that it was best that i talk to her about it and tell her where my interest was, bc so often when positions become available she already has ppl n mind for them. So my two cents... get that foundational experience. It will serve u well. But then go straight to the boss to discuss ur career goals. They r the ones that can make it happen. I was just offered a charge nurse position on the OB/GYN floor... its only been a little bit over a month since I had that conversation with my management team. So it seems to have worked for me... Just ask those in charge of making the decisions whats the best way to get things done in ur facility.