Have to start in L&D first before post-partum??

dansamy · Aug 11, 2013

Upon graduation from nursing school I had an interview on family birthing unit (where I have always thought I've wanted to be spent hours watching labor and delivery shows, etc.) and was told if they would have been hiring 1 more I would have got the job at that time. I received interview not long after at same hospital on neuroscience/spine floor and took the job and have been there for 1 year n 5 months and recently landed interview on family birthing again. This hospital though trains RN's on labor and delivery first now and then to postpartum and I really feel like it would be better for me all around to begin on postpartum. I want to really get to know population before jumping right into Labor and delivery which is a lot more intense and a lot more to learn. Is it ok to ask to start in postpartum? I know a nurse that works on that floor (went to school with her) and she told me to just ask them. And what would you give for a reason without loosing opportunity all together? Honestly I'm not sure I want the position if I have to jump right into labor and delivery. Comments are much appreciated.[/quote']
Post partum is generally very light & easy. You only usually get a week or two for orientation there. The bulk of your orientation time will be on L&D as that is highly specialized.

DalekRN · Aug 26, 2013

I would just roll with it. I had 14 weeks of orientation on postpartum and it was just barely enough, it's a complex area of care. If they want to start you in L&D it is probably because that is what works for them. It will be great learning both, I hope to work in a facility someday where I can do both.

Lanesmama · Sep 3, 2013

If they ask you 'which of the 3 main areas labor, PP, nursery do you think you will prefer?' then go ahead and say PP but I would not say because I am scared that Labor is too difficult. TO a hiring manager saying something like that, even if not in those words, says sorry guys I'm not confident in what I know so I think you better give me the easy job. They will pass on you immediately. Labor is rough. There is a lot to learn. But they aren't going to throw you in by yourself until you have had a thorough orientation. Even after that you will have people who are willing to listen and help....

IamSusan · Sep 3, 2013

I think labor and delivery first makes the most sense actually. Unless your unit is highly specialized you will learn a lot about how to care for postpartum patients in labor and delivery because you will be recovering the mom for the first couple hours postpartum which is when most emergencies happen. A labor nurse can safely float to mother/baby but a mother/baby nurse really can't safely float to labor. Once you are a competent and safe labor nurse you will know what you need to know to handle mospostpartum emergencies. You won't know the nuances of postpartum but it won't take long to be competent there. I would say that they probably are doing it the most effective way to get you up to speed. I agree to that if you don't have the job yet telling them that you prefer postpartum could, to some people, look like you might prefer "easier" work. I wouldn't say it unless asked and then I would stress something like that you like teaching not that you are afraid of labor and delivery. Even though it's appropriate to be anxious about it.. it is intense. But if I were doing the interviewing I would be looking for someone who is enthusiastic about L and D if that is where I have the need for nurses.

Seas · Sep 19, 2013

I think they would go on to the next candidate who has no issues getting the position they need someone in.

Saying such a thing doesn't sound favorable. I would recommend that apply for pp positions.

lizlemonrn · Sep 22, 2013

I started as a new grad. I was oriented to PP first and then Labor, and that worked for me. But there were a couple new grads who started a year or two before me and did Labor first. They said it was probably more overwhelming then if they at least had some PP experience. But hey, they made it though :)

I agree with the other posters, I wouldn't say anything unless they ask you what you prefer. In that case, maybe you could tell them that you have talked to nurses who started on PP first and it seemed to work for them? But stress that you trust whatever they suggest.

Katie71275 · Sep 22, 2013

Exactly what IAmSusan said. LD nurses usually are just fine in PP b/c they deal with it directly after delivery for the first few hours(heck even days if there isn't a room on PP available)....whereas LD is a little different for someone to float to. L&D scares me as well but I also love it.