Anyone here who went to L&D as a new grad?

ElliShay · Mar 31, 2009

Hello everyone!
I'm going for an interview on Friday for a full-time L&D position, and will be graduating in June. I'd like to hear from anyone who got into L&D straight out of school. I am going to be precepting in L&D/Mother/Baby so I will have that experience to bring with me, but would like to hear how new grads get offered these positions.:bby: What made you stand out in your interview if you made it in? Do you feel like you missed out by not going into med/surg or critical care first? Please, share, share, share!!!!:typing

I don't know if this will help--because it was ages ago, but...Yes--and I have never regretted it. I worked in OB during my last year of nursing school and then hired on as a new grad (that was my "in"). I worked OB for 12 years pretty much full-time then did a stint in ER/ICU, & was house supervisor before going to med surg for a year or 2 before quitting to become and educator. Now, I teach--and work in a hospice home on the side. I have never felt like I missed a thing. Keep your options open--and when opportunities come up--to learn, float, try something new, etc--take advantage of them. Don't compartmentalize too much--you never know where you will eventually end up!

Good luck!

OHIBB · Mar 31, 2009

My first job out of nursing school was PP/Nursery/L&D. We learned all 3 areas. It was a large enough unit, that I was never the only L&D nurse, and I was always there with a more experienced nurse. I think the orientation is imperative. The department needs to be sure to provide a very thorough orientation. I worked in Risk Management for a while, then as a house supervisor, and then managed an OB unit for about 7 years.

Labor & Delivery nurses do best if they are easy going, able to flex with what's going on in the unit. I hired 1 new grad ( the only one that applied ) because she was very enthusiastic, very much a people person, had a bright smile. She was one of my best nurses. Dress nice, nice pair of dress pants, no revealing shirts or anything (sorry, we can't see each other) I think managers do consider how you present yourself at an interview, man some people interviewed in jeans, with their stomachs peeking out.... Put your best foot forward, I'm sure you'll do great! Good luck.

SmilingBluEyes · Mar 31, 2009

I went into LDRP and GYN nursing right out of school. No place is "easy" for a new graduate, but I was glad I did this without the requisite 2 years med-surg because OB was my goal all along. No regrets 12 years later.

shortstuff31117 · Apr 1, 2009

I went right into OB after nursing school. Well actually I had a baby, and then started working 2 yrs later so I was VERY lucky. It helped that 1) I worked a summer as a nurse tech in OB at a big hospital 2) I did my senior practicum in OB and 3) The place I'm working was very desperate LOL. The night shift had been working short for about a year.

I don't regret it a bit, I hated med surg. We do GYN surgery pts. too, so once in a while, if there's a complicated one, I wish I had done med-surg, but only for a minute. My fellow nurses are very helpful, and have been a wealth of teaching and knowledge for me.

We do LDRP so I learned it all, of course I'm still learning though. I think if it's what you really want to do, then go for it!

house of nuts · Apr 2, 2009

I worked Antepartum for 1 year prior to going to L&D at a very large teaching hospital that was the best thing I ever did as it gave me a foundation of what to look for when someone high risk came through the door. As far as having that Med/Surg exp prior to going to L&D if you do Antepartum you will get it. Even if you do L&D out of Nursing school you will get med/surg exp as you will still get prego's with medical problems that you need to address the extra componant that med/surg does not have is the baby. L&D Nursing entails med/surg; OR; Recovery; ER; NICU nursing all in one so don't let anyone tell you different. L&D in my opinion is the most back breaking position in all of nursing. It is an adrenaline rush, it can be the happiest place to work and the most saddest, emotionally draining place you could ever work. Would I ever want to work anywhere else? Absolutley not! I love what I do, and don't ever want to go to another area of nursing!!!

mee6 · Apr 3, 2009

Yep - right to L&D from nursing school. Hated everything else in school. Once in a while have a few regrets about not getting any MS experience with pg pts. with "other" medical issues, but overall no. Still loving L&D after 6 years!!

prisicruz · Apr 6, 2009

I haven't graduated yet, but I really want to go into L&D; right after graduation if at all possible. I had no idea that med surg was a requisite, so I'm going to assume that it won't be an easy task I'll be taking on prior to graduation when I start applying for jobs. I have no problem with working in other fields to get to where I really want to be, but I know that L&D is that place. I seriously doubt that I'll want to work in other other dept. So I hope it won't be too long before I can land a job in L&D...sounds like all you other guys were lucky in your job search! :bow: that's awesome! :up:

twoangels · Apr 6, 2009

UPDATE

Well, I had my interview Friday!!!!!!! I feel like it went really well, but as the weekend has gone on, I've let doubt settle in. All I can think about is how much more I could have said and other questions I could have asked. At least I'm not kicking myself for anything that I DID say!! That would be worse than just wishing I could have sat and talked to them longer. It was so awesome to sit in a room of people who I felt shared my passion and love for L&D. I hope that they become my co-workers!!

HOPING...........:redpinkhe

romantic, BSN, RN · Apr 6, 2009

UPDATE
UPDATE
UPDATE
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UPDATE
Well, I had my interview Friday!!!!!!! I feel like it went really well, but as the weekend has gone on, I've let doubt settle in. All I can think about is how much more I could have said and other questions I could have asked. At least I'm not kicking myself for anything that I DID say!! That would be worse than just wishing I could have sat and talked to them longer. It was so awesome to sit in a room of people who I felt shared my passion and love for L&D. I hope that they become my co-workers!!
HOPING...........:redpinkhe

Good Luck to you!

kimmerc · Apr 8, 2009

L&D is the field I would like to go into after I graduate - anyone have any advise on additional courses I should take for this field?

Thanks!

imafostermom · Apr 13, 2009

I did it too, right out of school. It has been 15 years and no regrets. Best of luck. Keep us posted!