About how long is an L&D orientation?

SweetTeaRN, BSN, RN · Sep 2, 2008

I was interested in ER primarily when I graduated last December, but (oddly) my second choice area was L&D. I applied to both ER and L&D units. At every hospital I applied to, L&D units were the first to pick their new hires and the first to fill up their units. I began applying in September and most places were still hiring for all units except maternal. If you haven't already started applying, I would do it now if you can. I was offered my current position in the ER in mid-October, after interviewing the first week of October. I don't know about most places, but the hospital I work at offers 6 month orientation for all new grads, regardless whether you work in ER, OR, floor, units, L&D, etc.

lalagrace · Sep 2, 2008

About six months is typical for an L&D orientation. It can be hard finding a job in L&D right out of school, a lot of places like to see a year of Med surg or even post partum prior to getting into L&D. If you don't want to do that try to get your senior partnership in that unit, the more exposure you have the better your chances.

good luck.

supernurse20 · Sep 2, 2008

Doing a senior year L&D rotation at the place in which u want to work is a very good Idea. I did my senior focus hours in the NICU and L&D and as a GN i was considered for the position before anyone else. Any hands on experience is a plus. Good luck!

mom2michael, MSN, RN, NP · Sep 3, 2008

There are lots and lots of threads on new grads in L&D.

Mine does not hire them anymore and it was out of fairness to the new grad. That doesn't mean though it's not possible, my manager just prefers "some" experience before L&D.

We are also a full service OB department meaning we have to be able to do everything from postpartum to nursery to L&D and sometimes all 3 jobs in one day.

I am an experienced nurse (but not in L&D) and my orientation to postpartum was 3 weeks, nursery was 4 weeks and L&D will be 16-22 weeks. Lots and lots of orientation.

When we did hire new grads it was no less than 9 months of orientation and usually closer to a year for them.

It is a great question to ask though when interviewing because our sister facility only orients their new grads for 16 weeks total in L&D so obviously it can differ, even within the same hospital system.

PyshRN · Sep 3, 2008

I'm kind of feeling as if I as jipped on orientation. I'm working in a high risk L&D unit. Granted I was not a GN and I have critical care experience, but I recieved 12 weeks of orientation and 2 of those weeks were learning to scrub for c-sections. Do most places get 6 months of orientation? Or is that just for new grads?

Barkow · Sep 3, 2008

As a GN on a low-risk LDRP unit I received about 14 weeks of orientation. It definitely could have been longer, but on the other hand there's no way you could ever experience everything during your orientation. As long as people you work with recognize that they'll still need to help you along after you're technically off orientation, then it's not too bad.

Baby1nurse · Sep 3, 2008

He everyone,
I'm about to graduate in December and am hoping to go into L&D I have a couple of questions: how hard is it to find a GN L&D position? and about how long is the orientation for it?

Where do you live? I'll hire you! We are always looking for motivated GN's, especially ones who will have some loyalty to the hospital. A lot of cause for hospitals not hiring GN's is that, because they are young, they "job hop". We don't like to put in a lot of time training someone who will leave within the year. We usually precept our GN's for six months. The first two months are more like an orientation to the hospital and OB nursing. They receive a basic monitoring course, NRP review, lectures on OB emergencies, and how to do a lady partsl exam. Then they are placed on the floor for four months on day shift and, when they go to nights (every new nurse usually goes onto night shift first) where they are mentored for another month before we throw them to the wolves (just kidding). Don't expect to be a pro right away. It takes years to make a good labor nurse but a life time of learning. I have been L&D for 20 years and I learn something new every day. I wish you the best of luck - there is nothing like it in the nursing profession. I still love going to work every day! :wink2:

shorty24 · Sep 4, 2008

I'm from Texas in the DFW area. I really would like to go into L&D right away but am afraid I'll have a hard time finding a hospital who will want a brand new GN. Thank you for your time and info.

Baby1nurse · Sep 4, 2008

I'm from Texas in the DFW area. I really would like to go into L&D right away but am afraid I'll have a hard time finding a hospital who will want a brand new GN. Thank you for your time and info.

Shorty,

Don't give up, okay? There is always a place for a new grad who is motivated. Try to sign up for a basic fetal monitoring course or some kind of seminar relating to OB (nothing advanced, just basic) - that will give you a leg up on the competition. Also try to sign up to be a childbirth educator. That is a sure way to get a job. Do anything you can to learn a little bit about OB while you're applying. If a department manager sees that you are motivated to learn and you really want it, there should really be no problem. One piece of advise, though. If you fill out an application, don't rely on the nurse recruiter sending it over to OB. Call the department head and ask if they received your application, tell them that you are willing to orient anywhere in the unit that they need you and, once you get a foot in the door, learn everything you can and go for it! Just remember, though, most of the hospital thinks we do nothing but hold babies all day, so if you are thinking about going into OB because it is easy, think again. It's a lot of work and sometimes a lot of stress. Nurses either come, orient, and leave right away because it is much harder than they thought, or else they love it and stay forever. I'm one of the lucky ones who loves it! :nurse:

SmilingBluEyes · Sep 4, 2008

Anything less than 6 months' orientation for a new graduate is not doing justice, not nearly enough.

Look for a place that offers OB residencies or orientations for new graduates that are no less than 6 months' duration or let the buyer beware. 12 weeks, ridiculously short unless you are a nurse from another specialty with good acute care skills.

REALLY OB takes a long time to learn......you need it!

SmilingBluEyes · Sep 4, 2008

PS our hospital hires new graduates all the time. It's definitely NOT impossible. I was a new graduate OB nurse. The main complaint for me, was my orientation was barely 4 months. I know it was not NEARLY enough. It took me about 2 years before I felt the confidence I needed to be "on my own"

In ANY nursing specialty the rule is: NEVER pretend to know what you do not and be SURE you ask questions. Heck, after 11 years, I am still unafraid to ask colleagues to assess things with me, or to bounce things off them. Collaboration is CRITICAL in nursing; OB especially!

GOOD LUCK and I hope your dream to be an OB nurse is realized.