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Discussion

Applying without experience

Hi everyone!

So like thousands of other students, I want to become a L&D nurse. I'm going to be a new graduate nurse but I would truly love to get in to maternity (even if it's not specifically L&D) as my first position. I completed a summer externship and directed study in L&D so I've accumulated hundreds of hours on the floor. Both of these programs were extremely hands on so I feel as if I have a good taste for the field.

Now, here's my question:

I cannot apply to the hospital I completed these programs at because I'm not based in this city. The city I'm moving to has a variety of opportunities for new grad residencies, but all are focused on non-specialized units (like med-surg). There are job positions posted for maternity but they require a year of experience. Would it hurt to apply anyway? Would I even have a shot? Obviously I'll be applying for backup positions but the prospect of being so incredibly unhappy for a year (or until I can transfer) is really scaring me to be honest. I need a job so I'll take what I can get, but my heart is so longing to work on OB.

Opinions?

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    • Featured Replies

    Can you relocate?

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    • Experts
    Can you relocate?

    This!! We hire new grads into L&D and NICU every round. It is competitive being a large city with lots of new grads, but not all the hires were from local schools (a good thing!). Also, relocating is a good thing, not enough people do it.

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    • Experts

    I don't think it hurts to apply -- especially in your situation. With a good cover letter, someone might make note of your student level experience and give you a chance.

    But note, if you are hired by a unit that never hires new grads, they will not have an orientation program suited-for new grads -- and that might give you a very stressful and rocky period of transition. Also, their expectations for new nurses on their unit will not be geared for new grads and that might lead to troubles even after orientation is over. Finally, the other nurses on that unit (who had to wait a year or two to transfer in) might resent you and it could hurt your relationship with your co-workers.

    In short -- you might get the job you want -- but end up being miserable because you won't fit the standard new employee expectations. I've seen that happen lots of times. The only specialized units who should be hiring new grads are those that regularly hire new grads and have the supports (including a culture) in place to facilitate a smooth transition from student to professional. I believe that new grads can start in any type of unit -- but only if that unit is truly prepared to receive them and meet their transition needs.

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    It never hurts to apply. I, like you, am in love with women and infants. It's the whole reason I went to nursing school, and I had a really hard time thinking about possibly having to do any other form of nursing first to get experience. I would if I had to, but I really didn't want to. fortunately, I made good connections during clinicals and that helped me to get an interview, and the job I wanted in L&D!

    I kept in contact with every nurse I shadowed that was willing, I met and spoke with all the managers, and I contacted them when I was close to graduation, when I had my nclex date, and when I passed the NCLEX. Networking really cannot be underestimated, if you have any connections I would go through them first. Ask them to contact their managers or give the contact info to you if they're willing. Form a great resume and cover letter for why you're a good fit for their unit. Good luck! It may be more difficult but not impossible to get the job you want :)

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    Never hurts to apply, they will not contact you if they are strict on the experience rule.

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    My hospital will hire new grads into L&D and NICU but not post partum. We have had quite a few great nursing students working on our unit as nurse assistants and when they graduate we'd love to have them join us but they cannot without a year of med surge experience minimum.

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    My hospital will hire new grads into L&D and NICU but not post partum. We have had quite a few great nursing students working on our unit as nurse assistants and when they graduate we'd love to have them join us but they cannot without a year of med surge experience minimum.

    So weird. Of those specialties, I feel postpartum is the easiest to pick up for a new grad. We are an LDRP, but we always start our new grads in postpartum for about a year before training them to labor.

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