How do you become a Labor and Delivery nurse in a retirement community?

[WannaBNursey, ADN, ASN, RN]

I've wanted to work with pregnant women and newborns since I was 15 and helped my mother through the birth of my youngest brother. Though this his my passion, I know that it's the passion of every other student going into nursing school as well. I want to know what sort of job should I try to get right out of school that would position me well to get into L/D or the NICU. I live in Southwest Florida, in a very big place for retirees, so it's even more difficult to get a job in L/D when only 2 out of 5 major hospitals in the 20 mile radius offer any L/D services. Is there anything I can do while in Nursing school to make myself more attractive to labor and delivery. I'm wary of doing my preceptorship there since I don't believe they would hire a new grad and the experience could be better used working in medical surgical. I just got into my nursing program, so I'm a little new to this (well...a lot new!) any help would be appreciated. Should I try to do my preceptorship in L/D or somewhere where it's more realistic for me to get a job. Thanks for the help!

[ASPIRING2BGREAT]

hello supermeghan91,

i was reading your post and though i can't help answer your question, i was just wondering what school are you attending?

in the near future i will be moving to the lee county area. i anticipated to have already completed a lpn program and be ready to move on into a bridge-rn program. i have inquired to the program at edison.

i wish you well in your program, and i also hope you find a answer to your question.

any insight you could offer would be appreciated.

thanks in advance!

[WannaBNursey, ADN, ASN, RN]

I just got admitted to Edison Charlotte Campus Basic Nursing! It's the easiest out of the three Basic Nursing programs to get into, Lee being the most difficult, but the LPN-RN transfer is a bit easier to get admitted to. The nursing admissions staff are very friendly, more so than at other schools I've applied to. It was a pleasure applying and I was shocked when I got accepted. Good luck!

[ASPIRING2BGREAT]

By the way Congrats, you must be over joyed! Well it is good to hear to you have had a good experience in the application process at Edison. Hopefully when I get to that point, I will have a good one as well. I do think the Lee location would be the closest one to me.

Well thanks again for your insight, and I wish you well with your goals.

See you around!

Your desire to succeed, must be greater than your fear of failure!

[WannaBNursey, ADN, ASN, RN]

I'm thinking of volunteering in the NICU or L&D at the hospital I want to work with. Would this give me a leg up and show that I have experience on these floors if I volunteer there while I'm in nursing school, or do volunteer experiences not help much? Any other advice would be greatly appreciated.

[Cr8zyamy]

Try talking to the managers of the 2 L&D units. Ask them what they are looking for in a new hire. You can never go wrong doing time in Med-Surg, it will help to cement your knowledge and gain valuable time management skills. Another consideration is postpartum if they have a stand alone unit. Your next consideration Women's health hysterectomys, tubal ligation, and the like. I wish you luck, remember that a BSN is the hardest degree to obtain according to The Guinness Book of World Records, it will be hard but stick it out. Ask questions, help the nurses with baths, linen changes, and call lights, don't sit in the break room unless you are with your assigned nurse or your instructor. The more helpful your the more the nurses will want to teach you. Oh! You can try for your CNA after completing a certain number of nursing classes, get your certificate and apply at the hospital of your choice, this will give you an edge when applying for nursing jobs in that hospital as you will have some experience. Good luck to you, hopefully the hospitals will be hiring more new grads by the time you finish.