Desperate to be a Labor Nurse

Specialties Ob/Gyn

Published

Hello. I recently finished my LPN program and was Valedictorian. I am now in the LPN-RN transition program. When I was pregnant and delivered my son, I became obsessed with pregnancy and the labor process. When I was in the hospital giving birth I recieved such amazing care. When I started nursing school I knew I wanted to be a Labor Nurse. I then found out there is no way of becoming one as an LPN and even when I am an RN it is a highly competitive specialty. I want to make myself highly marketable as a labor nurse and get every certification available. I have the opportunity to get a preceptor the last two semesters of nursing school. But I do not know anyone in Labor and Delievery at any hospital nearby. I do have a rotation in L&D before I can apply for a preceptorship. So my plans are to become familiar with fetal monitoring and just become extremely knowledgable before I do my rotation. Then, hopefully I will be assigned to a sweet, amazing nurse who I can show my passion and knowledge to and they will want to precept me! So my question is.... what courses and certifications do you recommend getting in my situation? Thank you in advance.

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Specializes in Med/Surg.

NRP, and AWHONN Fetal Monitoring, maybe ACLS as well.

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NRP, and AWHONN Fetal Monitoring, maybe ACLS as well.

Thank you. Any one have any advice on what else I can do to improve my chances?

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Would those certificates work for the NICU as well?

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Specializes in ER, Pediatric Transplant, PICU.

As far as things other that certifications, I would say NETWORK. Seriously. It's how a lot of people I graduated with got jobs where they wanted. Its how I got a job where I wanted! If a GOOD employee puts in a good word for you, it makes a world of difference.

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Specializes in Ambulatory Care, Case Manager.

See if you can volunteer at the hospital or as a Doula. You can also try to get a paid externship, but keep in mind that you will be competiting with those who want to get that position too. Also, do plenty of networking.

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Specializes in Med/surg, L&D, ICU briefly, Informatics.
See if you can volunteer at the hospital or as a Doula. You can also try to get a paid externship, but keep in mind that you will be competiting with those who want to get that position too. Also, do plenty of networking.

I would not suggest being a doula. Many labor nurses frown upon them because most (not all, there are some good ones) of them like to dictate the patient's care and forget that we, the nurses, are ultimately responsible for the patient.

It's all about who you know these days. I got lucky when I got to go to OB because of a major hospital merge and they were hiring warm bodies. :D. Volunteer, make yourself known, write to the nurse mgr after your l&d rotation, and most of all, don't give up!

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Specializes in Psych, OB-GYN.

Volunteer, network, ACLS, Fetal Monitoring, and NRP.

Good luck!!

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Specializes in CNA.

I also want to do the same but I have a long ways to go..I'm just starting my pre-reqs.

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Specializes in Occupational health, Corrections, PACU.

If you are in a large city, see if there are any free-standing birthing clinics where you can train and learn under a CNMidwife. The one that I know here has been in business for 17 years and does a booming business. She has hired techs to be trained to do the ultrasound monitoring. If you can find a good one, they would likely train you in ultrasound as well as being a Doula. Tell them of your passion for it. Then when you transition to the hospital later, you will have the "natural" facet of childbirth to help you with the hospital version of L & D. They complement each other.

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Specializes in ER, ICU, Med-Surg.
Hello. I recently finished my LPN program and was Valedictorian. I am now in the LPN-RN transition program. When I was pregnant and delivered my son, I became obsessed with pregnancy and the labor process. When I was in the hospital giving birth I recieved such amazing care. When I started nursing school I knew I wanted to be a Labor Nurse. I then found out there is no way of becoming one as an LPN and even when I am an RN it is a highly competitive specialty. I want to make myself highly marketable as a labor nurse and get every certification available. I have the opportunity to get a preceptor the last two semesters of nursing school. But I do not know anyone in Labor and Delievery at any hospital nearby. I do have a rotation in L&D before I can apply for a preceptorship. So my plans are to become familiar with fetal monitoring and just become extremely knowledgable before I do my rotation. Then, hopefully I will be assigned to a sweet, amazing nurse who I can show my passion and knowledge to and they will want to precept me! So my question is.... what courses and certifications do you recommend getting in my situation? Thank you in advance.

In our rural hospital we have LVNs in labor and delivery. If you live in a rural area some states allow it.

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Specializes in Oncology, Med-Surg.

Take a job as a nurse aide. You will get to know the unit, know the manager and staff. Easy transition and you will be a better candidate compared to someone without experience.

I worked as nurse aide in postpartum and intern in L&D. Unfortunately, there was no new grad job available at the hospital I worked at.

Many nurses suggest to get your experience in med-surg before specializing in L&D and Postpartum. I took a New Grad job in med-surg. I tried to get my DONA doula training/certificate/volunteer. It was tough working full time nights to finish the certificate program. I am still trying to do this the best that I can and just do a lot of CE readings in Maternal Health and OB-GYN.

ACLS, NRP and AWHONN fetal monitoring are also what I plan to this when I decided to switch over to L&D, thanks for the suggestion guys.

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