home study training for OB/L&D nursing?

I found out about a hospital hiring in ob/L&D/ante/pp nursing but was told part of their training is "home study." you would read and take written tests at home and work with a mentor for six months covering the areas taught in the readings. Has anyone done this? It seems like an odd way to teach a nursing specialty, but I'm not familiar with any specialty training yet. The nurses in this area cross cover L&D, ante and PP patients, and float out to one other area - critical care was mentioned as a possibility. This area would also involve "home study" and mentor for six months. Does anyone have any input about this method of training? How does your unit train nurses new to the specialty?

thanks!!!!!