changing specialties after med/surg experience?

[lannisz]

I have a question about changing specialties and I'm hoping this is the place to ask. I have always wanted to do perinatal/OB/L&D type nursing and am wondering:

1) Are there any hospitals willing to provide training in L&D, perinatal or NICU specialty areas? Will they hire an experienced nurse and train on the job?

2) Is it ever possible to obtain L&D experience through traveling assignments or short term assignments?

3) I know there are internships for new grads, but are there similar training programs for nurses wanting to change their specialty, and are formal re-training programs required in order to change?

I have my BSN in Nursing and two years experience in med/surg and 2 years of urgent care exp. I am in my second year of an FNP/MSN program. I am certified in BLS, ACLS and am scheduled to take my PALS/NRP certifications in Sept. I also have 5 years of pediatric case management (non-nursing) experience working with medically fragile children and their families, and worked in community health for WIC providing counseling on breastfeeding and nutrition.

Thanks in advance for any ideas and advice!

[KellNY, RN]

To answer some of your questions to the best of my understanding and experience....

1) Perinatal--yes, they're usually willing to train (got mine with no hospital experience). NICU may or may not require Peds or Newborn Nursery experience. L&D varies-some hospitals are willing to train, some are adament about having experience.

2) That's usually impossible (most agencies require 1-2yrs experience), and would be very foolish. Traveling/agency nurses are most often thrown into the fire...have to hit thr ground running (insert other cliches here). They're expected to be very secure in their skills, to have plenty of internal resources, have confidence, and know ALL the basics, plus many of the extras. To go in there with no L&D experience, you'd be putting your license and reputation on the line, both of which I'm sure are important to you.

3) I've never heard of those, but they might exist. Ask around--can't hurt.

Some extra advice--get certified to teach childbirth classes, become a doula, volunteer at a pregnancy center (not a crisis pregnancy center, but maybe a center for low income preggies) to not only show your interest in obstetrics, and to fluff up your resume, but to gain experience as well. Many nurses use perinatal (antepartum) or postpartum to break into L&D. L&D seems more willing to train someone from those areas (who will have experience with breastfeeding, MgSO4, common drugs used in pregnancy, basic care of the newborn, etc....and who will be NRP certified) than from basic med/surg.

Good luck!

Kelly

[lannisz]

Thanks Kelly, that's all great advice!