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

Specialties Ob/Gyn

Published

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

Thanks everyone, for your replies! I DID GET THE JOB!!!!!!!:yeah:Soooooooo happy!:redpinkhe

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Specializes in OB/Gyn, Surgery, Management.

Congrats!

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Congrats on the new job! FWIW, I also went into LD as a new grad. The hospital has a year long internship program. During that year you learn all areas of the maternity center (MBU, PNU, LD, and also to "scrub"/circulate in the OR). It was pretty intense but I don't regret it in the least. I also don't regret not having any med surg experience. I knew prior to going to nursing school that I wanted to do LD and clinicals sealed the deal for me! There are times when I do wish I had a bit more background in med surg. Mainly b/c at my hospital, none of the med surg floors like to keep any pregnant woman (be it 8 weeks or 38 weeks) on their floor. Regardless of the reason for hospitalization, they like to send 'em to LD/PNU. So when I have someone with endocarditis and a PICC line, I wish I felt more comfortable. But then you get someone from ACC with horrific pul. edema and see that nobody had listened to lung sounds for days and as you push Lasix you think "ok, maybe medsurg was overrated and all I need is some common sense" *smile*. Good luck to you on this wonderful journey!!!!

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Specializes in CVICU, ER.

I will be going to OB after graduation in May. I got the final "job offer" today! At first I was kind of bummed b/c this was the only job open at the hospital where I really want to work, but after my interview, I have been trying to psych myself up for OB. It is the only place in clinical that I was bored out of my mind. I am a critical care/CVICU type person. Anyway, the nurse recrutier called today to say the job was mine, and I am strangely feeling very excited about it. She also preceded to tell me that once I was proficient there, they were going to look at cross training me for L&D!! I can handle that! I loved the excitement in L&D, and even got to help with a couple of deliveries, and c-sections while there. I can say that even though it is not where I expected to go right out of school (or ever), I am very excited about it and feel like there will be a wealth of information for me to learn there! Best of luck to you!

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Specializes in L&D, MBU, NICU,.

I went directly to L&D as a new grad - to a high-risk L&D unit no less! I didn't even know what questions to ask but I have never had any regrets. Actually I learned so much in that unit that it really worked in my favor when I later went to "normal" L&D and when I finally got to go to midwifery school which really was my calling (no program available until many years later when distance programs started). Good luck; keep us posted!

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I just passed my nclex, but have been out of school for almost 2 years now. Right after graduation, my mother was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer and given only one year to live, so I put everything on hold. I only want to work in pp or l/d. I am afraid that no where will want to hire me b/c I have been out of school so long. Do you think someone would still consider hiring me?

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Specializes in Obstetrics/primarily L&D.

i guess since your job started in april this is a little late, but i wanted to share anyway... i started in l&d immediately after passing boards, was 21, never married, no children and really was unsure of myself (normal). i fell in love with taking care of laboring patients and assisting them in probably the most important aspect of their life. i worked in l&d for 28 years, then i took the nurse educator position in the ob dept. i absolutely love l&d, would not and could not think of a better area of nursing to work in. our staff and docs are more like family and how many people get to see a "miracle" from god everyday... i have not missed suctioning trachs, catherizing males, working with ped. pts.. or colostomy care. the patients i have worked with through the years seem to always remember you (they will stop you at the wal-mart), especially if you love your job & you pour your soul into it. just remember why you wanted to become a nurse and no matter where you choose to work, you will succeed! may god bless you with your decision and your nursing career!

sincerely,

veteran l&d nurse

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Specializes in CNA.

I just wanted to thank everyone that posted on this thread, and the creator!!! it was very inspirational! I am just starting my journey,,, i am currently taking a CNA class and start my clinicals monday at a LTC facility, I really want to go on to become a L&D nurse, and I hope that i can juggle my 3 kids, and Nursing School, If anyone has any advice for me, please feel free to message me! Thanks GUYS!!!:heartbeat

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Specializes in L&D.

Congrats on the job! I went into PP/nursery after graduating because L&D wasn't hiring at the time. When an opening poped up 4 months later, I transferred.

I DO regret not having med-surg training because so many L&D patients have other health issues and I have no intention of staying in L&D forever.

My sincere advice to you is to take a critical care course if they off it to you in the hospital. You'll be a more well-rounded nurse for it!

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congrats!!!! I was a new grad starting out in the Special Care Nursery and its been two years and I have never regretted my decision! I love my job, and have a passion for nursing that I may have never uncovered if I went to med-surg first. Good luck!

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Y'all give me so much inspiration! I have been interested in L&D since I was in elementary school! I'm not even in school yet, take my NET on 05/30/2009, but I am so excited!! Thanks for this thread!

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Thanks to all of those that gave helpful interview tips. I just had my interview for L&D new grad internship today!!! i think it was the best interview i've ever had and i felt like this is the place for me :) hopefully i have as good of luck as the others did with their similar stories! as for going into L&D as a new grad myself i think no matter where we start off at, it will all be overwhelming at first. that's what questions and preceptors are for though :) crossing my fingers

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