Transitioning from an ED nurse into L&D nursing

Specialties Ob/Gyn

Published

Hi, I'm graduating with my BSN next week (yeay!!) and have been working as a nursing tech in an ED for about a year and a half. I was offered a job at the ED right after graduation and thought this would be a good experience because I am already familiar with the people and the environment however my heart is not all in ED nursing. I really want to to become a labor and delivery nurse within the next few years. I know that the ED will make sure that I get ACLS and PALS but I am wondering how easy (or hard) this transition might be. Can anyone give me advice, like how long would I have to work at the ED before I can move on to applying for an L&D job? Are there any other certifications I should get before applying? Any information is very helpful!! Thank you!! :)

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

Does your hospital hire new grads into L&D? If you do take the ED job, it's always nice to stay 1-2 years before you move on.

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Does your hospital hire new grads into L&D? If you do take the ED job it's always nice to stay 1-2 years before you move on.[/quote']

Oh yeah, I would definitely stay 1-2 years for the experience. I just know that ED is not where I ultimately want to be. It's a great learning experience though and I don't want to start in L&D as a new grad because I'm afraid that will be too narrow of a population in nursing if I'm not happy there. Trying to get a good general platform at first and then decide what specialty I like best. I am just wondering what some of the best steps are to help get me into L&D after some experience in the ER.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Postpartum.

Join AWHONN if you haven't already. There are FHM, NRP, STABLE certs and yes ACLS will need to stay active when you eventually move to L&D. Does your current hospital system have a women's hospital or an OB unit? If so, they'll most likely hire within; that's how many of us were easily able to get into our OB units. Watch the board on your hospital website for openings when you reach a year. Good luck!

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