Why (I'm told) I can't get job in OB

[pbajil]

I have been working with adults out of school because there were no L&D/PP jobs back then. Now I have been looking to get a job with women, babies for a long time and no one will hire me. I was told by a nurse recruiter the other day that since one local hospital is closing their OB services, that jobs are limited in the surrounding ones, and are going to experienced nurses in those areas. That reason I understand. Except for when they have listings for open positions that last months. I was also told by another one that there is a low turnover rate in OB, and that alot of the empty slots they do have go to new grads.

So here I am, with adult experience, and can't get a job in OB. But new grads are able to break in because they are new grads? I don't get it.

[babyktchr, BSN, RN]

Are you applying for these positions that you say are open?? Are they giving you an interview at all? Do they only interview experienced OB nurses? Sometimes it is difficult to break into OB without experience. I cannot speak to saving jobs for new grads, though it seems rather a bold statement to make. Seems to me you should get in there and apply and INTERVIEW for a position, if that is what you really want to do.

[RNfloatpool]

it took me 6 years to get into the mother/baby unit I'm at now. I just kept applying and was willing to flexible with my schedule. Take some courses on breastfeeding, infant care, etc. to show them your interested. It will happen for you!! Just keep trying. Don't give up!!

[hope3456, ASN, RN]

where I used to work, the OB dept would get 40-50 applicants for every job opening. It is probably the most sought after dept to work in. so maybe you are just up against alot of competition.

[medicrnohio, RN]

It is very possible that the OP is being turned down because she doesn't have OB experience and isn't a new grad. I had a similar experience when I first started looking for ICU jobs. I actually had nurse managers tell me in interviews that they weren't looking for people like me who had nursing experience but not in ICU. They wanted the nurse they didn't have to train or those who they thought they could train to be exactly what they wanted them to be.

Be persistent and you will find the job you seek. When it is the right time and the right job, you will get it. Good luck.

[elanddeenrs]

My nurse manager has said something similar to the previous poster: she likes hiring new grads so she can "mold" them, as opposed to nurses with experience in other areas who've already found their own ways of doing things-- it's harder to change old habits than it is to create new ones.

[SummerGarden, BSN, MSN, RN]

i believe all of you when you say you have experienced this ... in fact as a soon to be new grad i have decided that if i cannot land the floor in the hospital i want, i am going to look outside of the hospital for the very reasons posted here. working in other fields i learned that if an employer tells me to "wait" for whatever reason (an opening, experience, etc.) that it is a poor excuse and i should not bother. if someone really wants to hire you he/she will hire you, train you, and try to retain you... look at the exceptions to the rules if you need proof. for example, most of my class were told that icu does not take new grads but two were hired last semester. the rest of us for some reason need med-surge for 1-2 years. although i am not interested in working on the icu, i just find it to be interesting....

op: is it possible for you to find another place to work? maybe an outpatient clinic? public health (this is not mother baby but if you work for a federal program that serves this population you come close). i agree that you should be persistent, but in the meantime i would look at alternatives even possibly moving out of the area. gl!

[zahryia, LPN]

i believe all of you when you say you have experienced this ... in fact as a soon to be new grad i have decided that if i cannot land the floor in the hospital i want, i am going to look outside of the hospital for the very reasons posted here. working in other fields i learned that if an employer tells me to "wait" for whatever reason (an opening, experience, etc.) that it is a poor excuse and i should not bother. if someone really wants to hire you he/she will hire you, train you, and try to retain you... look at the exceptions to the rules if you need proof. for example, most of my class were told that icu does not take new grads but two were hired last semester. the rest of us for some reason need med-surge for 1-2 years. although i am not interested in working on the icu, i just find it to be interesting....

op: is it possible for you to find another place to work? maybe an outpatient clinic? public health (this is not mother baby but if you work for a federal program that serves this population you come close). i agree that you should be persistent, but in the meantime i would look at alternatives even possibly moving out of the area. gl!

op, i agree. look into the local and/or state health departments for a home visiting program. as posted above, outpatient clinics/offices are a great idea.

in the meantime, maybe you can take a basic breastfeeding class, become a doula (0r just take the class), take a medical spanish class (depending on where you live), or a childbirth education class.

you will be extremely marketable if you do the above with your med-surg experience.

[mjb324]

Don't give up. I assist with the hiring of new staff and have conducted many interviews. We are currently hiring in L/D now and have taken on RN's with no OB experience. The deciding factor for me in an interview is enthusiasm. I am drawn to the nurse who has a positive outlook on life in general, who demonstrates a passion for OB, who looks put together and speaks well. I look for confidence. I also like honesty. Someone who is clear on their strengths and weaknesses. I have hired many new grads because of their eagerness.

Adult nurses bring wonderful experince to our team. I have hired two med/surg nurses whose skills have been very beneficial. They spent three months in our preceptorship program and have become excellent perinatal nurses. We chose them because over experienced OB nurses because of their personality type. Good Luck!

[GooeyRN, ADN, BSN, CNA, LPN, RN]

My nurse manager has said something similar to the previous poster: she likes hiring new grads so she can "mold" them, as opposed to nurses with experience in other areas who've already found their own ways of doing things-- it's harder to change old habits than it is to create new ones.

I have been told that when applying for a different area. They want someone experienced in that area, or brand new so they can mold them.

[SmilingBluEyes]

Don't give up. We hire nurses from other areas all the time!!

[pbajil]

In the meantime, maybe you can take a basic breastfeeding class, become a doula (0r just take the class), take a medical spanish class (depending on where you live), or a childbirth education class.

You will be EXTREMELY marketable if you do the above with your med-surg experience.

The funny thing is, I HAVE taken both a breastfeeding and childbirth class, I have kids and have breastfed them both. Know all breastfeeding issues inside and out. In fact, my love of babies and breastfeeding is partly why I want to switch from adults to OB! So you think I should include that on my resume? Like, that breastfeeding knowledge would help me to get a job in OB? Wouldn't that count for a lot of women/moms though, nothing special about me?

Anyway - still getting no calls for interviews. Thanks everyone for insight. I have been told that some hospitals hire "internal transfers" into OB so I tried that, no, not without experience. No one is budging!