HELP!! Becoming discouraged....

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Specializes in LTC, Med-Surg.

okay..this is going to be quite long so i can give some background info before i get to my problem.

i started in the nursing field as a cna. i became a cna through a program in my highschool and started working on a snu (ltc) at 16. i became an lvn at 19 and an rn at 23. i've always known that i wanted to be a cnmw (well since i became a nurse, anyway); not work in ltc or rehab. i currently still work at the same facility, but they've kinda changed. my unit became a "sub-acute/rehab" unit about 3 years ago when we moved to a new location. i sometimes feel like a brand new nurse, because of my lack of experience in other areas.

i was supposed to move to arlington, tx in august, but i want a labor and delivery position (internship, whatever; i just want to get my foot in the door). i feel like i'm being railroaded, because i've been applying for these positions at the same 3-4 hospitals in dallas for the last 2 years and they all go to the nurse-techs that already work there. i'd even settle for mother/baby; right now. is it always this hard to switch specialties?

recently, i just started applying for med/surg positions. and i've done a few "phone" interviews. i live in a small city, and work the "week-end plan". my pay is great for where i am, but every position i've applied for, they want to start me at the lowest possible pay rate. i was offered $20/hr to work a tda (week-end plan) at baylor specialty hospital, basically doing the same thing i do now. that's a serious pay cut for me (almost $12/hr), and the cost of living there is alot higher; but i'm starting to really consider taking it. my fiance is in arlington, so i've gotta do something.

is there anyone else who has had this or a similar obstacle? maybe i'm expecting too much, and need to realize that i have to start from the ground up. any suggestions or advice would be greatly appreciated.

sorry for the length, and thanks to all in advance.

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Specializes in LTC, Med-Surg.

is this in the wrong area or something? because i'm not getting anything here....

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is this in the wrong area or something? because i'm not getting anything here....

will move this thread to ob/gyn nursing.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

I think the problem might be that some hospitals tend to think that without hospital experience, you are starting as a new grad (which you are not). Anyway...I would consider any position to get my foot in the door, even if it is something way off the wall. I would also try to negotiate for higher pay - have you asked?

I know that when I became an RN, my LPN experience was not counted for anything at all.

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i agree, get your foot in the door at the hospital, and give it 6mos then watch the job postings, i think it will help, $12/hr cut in pay hurts, look at everything involved tho, you may find it more acceptable. good luck

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A lot of getting into OB is the hospitals staffing and education issues. If you live near a hospital that is hurting for L&D nurses, chances are they might have a training program or will send you to one. The hospital that i'm at had a great training program. They snatched up as many of us that they could right out of nursing school and trained us in whatever specialty we wanted. ICU, NICU, OR, L&D, MEDSURG, etc. We did have to sign a 2 year employment contract with the hospital to receive the training which was definetly worth it. Would you consider relocating to another area for training for a couple years?

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Specializes in LTC, Med-Surg.
we did have to sign a 2 year employment contract with the hospital to receive the training which was definetly worth it. would you consider relocating to another area for training for a couple years?

i've been treading water here for the last 2 1/2 years, and my fiance is probably getting ready to leave me. lol. no really, we're both tired of the long distance thing, so i'd really rather not move somewhere besides arlington.

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

Sometimes, we have to go where the jobs are. It's not easy to "break" into OB or most especially, into Certified Nurse Midwifery. Some areas have lots of opportunities for CNMs; others next to none. You may have to move to get what you want.

Good luck to you.

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

Is your fiancee able to move at all? Maybe if there was somewhere you could both find desireable jobs. Obviosuly, I do not know anything about the situation, but just a thought.

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All I can tell you is keep applying because it took me almost 2 years to get my position. I was all set to make a long distance move when I got the call for the job I am currently in and honestly I love it but at the time I really didn't think I would ever get the call. Best of luck.

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Most positions in OB become available because of retirement or death! Once you become OB, you never leave (or at least it seems like it) You'll probably have a better chance sneaking in through Mother/Baby, this requires the least amount of training.

But, at least get into some place in the hospital. Positions are offered to current employees long before the general public knows about them. It wouldn't hurt to let the OB manager know you're available. Put a bug in her ear, she'll think about you when a position opens up.

Good luck!!

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