Frustrated! Should I give up?

DalekRN · Jul 24, 2013

Postpartum is my second job. Doesn't matter really what your first job is. Just get in there, even if its not what you want (keep trying though!) Six months and you can transfer within a hospital. Dont get too twisted on having to stay at a first job longer, I didn't, I was at my first for six.

gambron · Jul 24, 2013

Unfortunately, your situation is not unique. There are tons of new grads flooding the market, which makes it more difficult to find a desirable job right off the bat. My only advice to you is to work where they'll hire you (med-surg, etc) for 6 months - 1 year and do your BEST work. That will give you a good reputation and the experience needed to transfer to your desired unit. Good luck.

For nursing jobs, new grads need not apply - Jan. 14, 2013

EarthwormRN · Jul 27, 2013

I know how you feel. I have been a nurse for 2 years and even with that under my belt, I feel like I won't even have a chance at an interview. If I had my bachelors I'd have an easier time, but right now I only have an associates. I have been looking into getting my BSN through on online school but I'm not sure yet if I want to start now or wait a bit longer. I have looked at midwifery schools as well and I did find one that has an ADN to MS Midwife bridge, buuuut of course in the application process it strongly recommends some sort of experience in pregnancy, labor/delivery or something to do with newborns. I have though about asking our local midwife about volunteering in their clinic and I have found some classes to be a childbirth class instructor or lactation consultant. I haven't committed to anything yet, because there are so many options, I'm not sure which one would give me the best outcome. Volunteering would really up your chances, especially if you volunteer at the hospital you want to eventually work at. Once they know you, they might overlook your experience and let you right in. Wish you best. :)

BuckRN · Jul 28, 2013

I went into nursing school knowing that L&D was absolutely what I wanted to do. However, after I graduate, rarely were people getting hired as new grads into L&D. I worked as a Tele Nurse for 3.5 years before I finally landed my L&D job. I can honestly say that I don't regret that I took that first Tele job. I learned so much and it's also a confidence booster to see yourself be successful even in an area that is not your passion. I think it was the amazing letters of recommendation I received from my Tele supervisors that got me my L&D job. L&D is great, but it is HARD and STRESSFUL a lot of the time. I am so glad to have my time management skills honed and my basic nursing skills mastered. It has made the transition into L&D that much easier.

Good luck!

Nurse ABC · Jul 30, 2013

Take whatever nursing job you can to get your foot in the door. Then when a L&D position opens up you will be able to bid on that job internally before the job is ever posted to the public. Also, it never hurts to have a med-surg background of some sort. You will get labor patients that occasionally have NG tubes, kidney problems, diabetes, etc so if you already have all the basics down it is so much easier to learn the L&D side of things instead of learning it all at once. (Not that it can't be done as a new grad-just that another type of experience will not hurt and can actually help you.)

Labor RN · Aug 1, 2013

Hello. I just graduated with my ADN and was hired about a month ago in L&D. There are many nurses who get hired straight into L&D, BUT there are a thousand more who have prior experience elsewhere. Don't wait around. Just because you take a job in med-surge, tele, IMC first does'nt mean you have given up on your goals. Although it would be awesome to prove those wrong and get directly hired, it is'nt really worth waiting for because this means you are allowing yourself to give up great opportunities that will only make you stronger in your career. Good luck to you!

jhudson2780 · Aug 2, 2013

Hey frustrated! I started as a new grad in L&D, as did many of the nurses where I work; it can happen, usually in more high need areas. You may have to widen your search to smaller, not as well paying facilities.

A word of advice; I have seen many of my coworkers struggling, as L&D is a high risk, high litigation place. Anything can and will walk through your door and you have to be brave. I have worked in other areas but nothing gets your blood pumping like a mom coding and your baby having a prolonged decel. Many places want experience in other areas like Med Surg first so you can pop in a foley and 2nd IV on your way back to a stat section. If you want it, keep trying, but your best day and your worst day happens in OB.

OB-nurse2013, BSN, RN · Aug 2, 2013

HI! I started in L&D as a new grad. It can be done but I think you either have to know someone or it helps depending n where u live. If you live in a more metro area then apply to any large women's hospitals around. Also can you contact any of your old professors or clinical instructors from OB? That's a good place to start that may help.

Katie71275 · Aug 2, 2013

I just started as an L&D nurse in June as a new grad. It was what I wanted and I waited it out to get it. I waited about a month after graduation, so not too long though! I would have accepted something soon if I didn't get it. Good luck!

sjc2005 · Aug 2, 2013

Thanks for all of the good advice. I just got an interview for an CVICU at a really awesome hospital so hoping that goes well! I think that would look good on applications for future L&D positions :)