Graduate in August- Want to go into L&D. Advice?

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Hi all,

I will be graduating in August with my BSN. I start my precepted clinical at the end of this month hopefully in L&D. (I've qualified and turned everything in, but am still waiting on my instructors to find a preceptor)

The thing is that I want to go straight into L&D and I keep hearing people say that it just isn't possible. What is your advice for me. I'm planning on working my butt off in the precepted clinical and seeking out the nurse manager to talk about jobs, but at the same time I'm going to try to be researching other hospitals to see if they hire new grads to L&D.

Anything else that I can do? How did you get into L&D?

Thanks!

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Specializes in LDRP.

I personally worked 15 months on another unit before transferring to l&d, but new grads have been hired in.

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Specializes in OB.

New Grad in May, started L&D end of May with no prior experience~ it can happen!

I did what you did, precepted there and presented myself well, talked to the UNM. I am on a 6 month orientation/training program with a great staff. Loving every minute of it!

Good luck

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Specializes in NICU.

One of my friends who just graduated in May got a job in L&D w/ no prior experience at all.

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Specializes in L & D.

I graduated in May and will be starting in L & D next week!

Every hospital in my area was willing to hire new grads - except one. Just be sure to start contacting the nurse managers NOW. L & D jobs go quickly! I was hired in February to start in June.

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Specializes in OB, lactation.

It seems that shortage and demand often dictate whether an area takes new grads into specialty areas or not. My area needs nurses really bad, of all kinds. So around here you can go wherever you want. The only time ours gets limited is if they've just hired a new grad or two... they can't have all new people at once.

But some areas don't have as high of a need so they can up their standards and require exerience or whatever...

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I loved working L&D!! The other nurses and I would joke about all the new ones coming into the field! I started working medsug after some bad relationships. I would go backto L&D theres something about it.

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I graduated a few weeks ago with my ADN and will start a 16 week training program in L&D on July 9th. My friend and I were hired together, and we went on our interview in early Feb, way before the manager really even planned on hiring anyone! The new grad spots go really quick. Call around and try and schedule a meeting with managers/clinical educators as early as possible. We thought we were just going in to meet the manager & clinical educator in person to hand in resumes...they ended up offering us positions on the spot.

Good luck...I cannot tell you how excited I am!

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