New Grad L&D or Postpartum Programs

NickL521 · Aug 4, 2016

I am a new grad as well, in California. Im not certain but don't think its common practice to hire new grads in OB departments. I am looking to work in postpartum or L&D as well. No luck so far!

meghankavs · Aug 5, 2016

Congrats on nearing the end/graduating nursing school! I graduated in May of this year and got a job as a labor and delivery nurse right out of school. (We train in L&D, postpartum, newborn assessment/resuscitation, and OR scrub on our unit.) I know that a lot of people say that getting into the specialty is impossible, but although it may be more difficult, I assure you that it is certainly not out of reach! If I had a dollar for every person who told me to go to a med-surg floor for 1-2yrs first........ :)

The way i got in was: while I was in school, I did a summer nursing student internship on my unit, then worked per diem as an aide on the floor, and when I graduated they hired me as an RN. While I definitely did have the advantage because I had already worked there (fyi employers LOVE hiring their own!), it's NOT always a necessity. Ironically enough, my unit had 2 positions open up recently and they were ONLY looking to hire new grads. :yes:

My best recommendations to you would be:

-make yourself stand out as much as you can. If you truly have your heart set on L&D and it is your passion-- show them! Emphasize it on your cover letter, send a follow up email to reiterate, or maybe just get creative. This specialty tends to have an extremely long, expensive orientation period + certifications that they need to send you through (NRP, ACLS, EFM) so they often look for candidates that they feel will stick with them and not look to leave after a year or two.

-join AWHONN.. this shows that you are serious about being in the OB specialty. I would esp. recommend joining while you are still a student because it is half the price :)

-find an "in" any way you can. if there is a hospital that you have your heart set on, check to see if they offer any internship programs. Also look into taking an aide position on an L&D unit until you graduate if there is one available. See if you can volunteer on the unit or in the NICU, even if you're just helping them with seemingly trivial things like organizing paperwork/stocking/etc. Letting them see your work ethic and recognize your face goes such a long way.

I have to say that I truly love my job and if you know that this is what you want to do, absolutely go for it and make it happen any way that you can! I hope this helped a bit. Best of luck! xo

Newnurse75 · Aug 5, 2016

Meghankavs has some excellent advice. Another thing to think about, too, is trying to get some certifications that are special to that area (like NRP, EFM, and even ACLS or PALS would look good on your rÃ©sumÃ©). Having these certs makes you stand out to interviewers as this would be saving them money on having to get you certified. While it can be costly, it shows potential employers that you are serious about nursing and this area. It also makes you stand out among a crowd of sometimes a hundred applications.

As far as specific programs to your area go, I don't know of any (but most of the major hospitals typically have residency programs- but big hospitals also may be more competitive with their residencies with a massive number of candidates, so be sure you make yourself stand out in a good way) BUT google google google. That's how I found almost all of the programs that I had applied for. It takes time, but do your research and then research the hospitals. Find things you like about them and include that in you cover letter or interview. Let them know that you didn't just pick random hospitals, you picked hospitals that stood out to you.

Also, try asking your instructors or even your preceptors for clinicals. If you like the hospital you are at for you clinical rotations, try to talk with the nurse recruiter or even the OB manager (which is what I did- they weren't hiring, but it goes with the networking that Meghan talked about). Don't be afraid or intimidated to speak with any higher ups. Call them and ask if they can schedule a meeting with you to speak about new graduates and their OB unit.

And another thing that goes along with networking, some residency programs have meet and greats and open houses where you can go, meet with those running the programs, like the nurses or managers of different units, and you can also do d out more information during their info sessions. These are GREAT to go to. I have heard that 90 or so percent of the hiring decisions are made based off of meetings that happen here. You basically have a couple of minutes to sell yourself to them- like a mini interview. Sometimes they will ask the same question to the person standing right next to you, and talk to you both at the same time. Can be intimidating, but a great experience.

I have heard that its recommended to apply to these programs before graduating. Start early, you know.

Best of luck to you!!