Can't land a job on labor and delivery

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Hi everyone,

I am trying very hard to land a job on the labor and delivery unit. I live in an area where I only have 2 choices for this floor and the turn over is low. I apply as soon as I notice an opening but I've only been lucky enough to get 1 interview. This interview was almost 4 weeks ago and I followed up but she said she is still doing interviews. I don't feel like I got the job though and i'm very bummed. I've been a nurse going on 3 years and have to take jobs that I'm honestly not interested in. I love nursing as a whole but I truly want to be where I feel I belong. I finally joined AWOHNN yesterday and I'm currently looking for a place to get my NRP certification to hopefully boost my chances. There are about 2 other hospitals about an hour away that I'm considering applying to but I don't want to travel since I won't be getting the "traveling salary" and I have 3 kids.

Any advice would seriously be appreciated. I need to get this job. ):

-Brittany

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Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.

If you absolutely want L&D and nothing else, then you are going to need to make sacrifices. The area you are in clearly cannot employ all nurses who wish to work in L&D. Expand the area you are applying to. Consider relocation to an area where L&D nurses are being hired. Is your resume up to snuff or should you have another set of eyes take a look? What about your interviewing skills?

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I can show you my resume if you would like and also I get very nervous for interviews so I'm sure I could work on that ): any advice?

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Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.
I can show you my resume if you would like and also I get very nervous for interviews so I'm sure I could work on that ): any advice?

Practice, practice, practice. Sit down with a trusted friend who can ask you various interview questions and provide ​honest feedback. Not just on your answers but also on your body language, tone of voice, and other non-verbal cues.

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Specializes in LDRP.

I applied to OB floors for 3 years until I finally got an L&D job. The job I got is an hour away, but it is worth it to me. You have to expand your search. Even if you land a job an hour away, you can always get 1-2 years experience and then you will be a hot commodity. Any L&D floor would love to have you, and you could find something closer to home. Or you could move closer to a hospital that will hire you.

Getting NRP and joining AWHONN are good steps. Look into STABLE, any kind of breastfeeding class, a fetal monitoring class, ACLS (if you don't already have it). Good luck, I know how it feels to try and try and get rejected!

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Thank you so much, this was very encouraging. I actually have an interview next week with a hospital about 40 minutes away! I feel like it'd be worth it. I have 3 kiddos so that will be a little hard but I know I'm not too far! I'm not sure if I'll get it but do you have any interview advice maybe for this? I'll definitely look into BF classes, I only know BF from personal experience, I've fed all 3 of my children that way and I'm actually currently still BF my 7 month old. I also do have ACLS!

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I would love to know how it goes! I too am trying to transition to L&D with one year experience in cardiac med/surg as an RN and more before that as a CNA. I am currently unable to find any position as a nurse at all in Puerto Rico. It is very frustrating. My fiancé and I will relocate back to the states in the next 7-10 months but it is very discouraging that I have a gap in practice. I am currently looking at childbirth educator courses or lactation educator b/c I feel so passionately about BF. I am hoping one of those will at least give me an opportunity to invterview. I also love nursing and know that I can more than likely transition back to cardiac & everyday I walked into work I prayed thanks for a job to walk into but I also feel like I am ready to do what is going to make me happy make a second home of my career & I know that's the OB/Women's Health/Newborn world!

best of luck í ¾í´—

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Well I ended up having 4 different hospitals open up. 2 were an hour away and the other 2 were close. One was at the hospital I'm already working for just another unit. I got 2 offers! I chose the hospital I'm working for since it's a transfer and I am beyond ecstatic!

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Congrats. !!!!

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Specializes in peds.

Congratulations

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congrats!! that is awesome

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Thank you everyone! I am so blessed! I start April 17th! I am beyond excited!

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