Becoming an L&D nurse

djksjdalksjf · Nov 26, 2017

I'm a student nurse as well and although I'm by no means an expert, I'm in the same position of you and I have done some research.

Basically, you have about 4 options.

1. Work wherever you can get hired for a year or two, and then transfer to the L&D department when a position opens.

2. Accept a PT or CPT position on the L&D unit.

3. A hospital in my state has a nurse residency program where they will train BSNs to be better more experienced nurses, and they hire you into your department of choice (typically)

4. Be lucky.

With that, I will also say that while I would LOVE to be hired for L&D right out of nursing school, L&D nurses need to be extremely confident, so I fully agree with the hospitals typically requiring an experienced nurse.

ruby_jane, BSN, RN · Dec 8, 2017

About 10 years ago when I was a new grad we had maybe three classmates get on at the public hospital as L&D nurses. They all did their capstone (six weeks of intensive preceptoring prior to graduation) there. At that time all the hospitals BUT the public hospital were sending L&D nurses home because census was low. That's something you cannot control. Take every opportunity you can, consider working on an L&D unit as a tech during school if that's possible, and research where a new ADN could get a new-entry position....it may not be in your city. Or your state. Look where there are medical shortage areas and aim for those if you can.

The previous poster was spot on - take the job that you can get. Perhaps on the Gyn surgical floor? It will make transition easier.

Finally, be aware that what you want to do right now and what you'll want to do in a decade may be two completely different things.

Good luck!