How to get my dream job?

[nursecher]

I need some advise. I graduated in May and have been working med/surg for seven months now. A labor and delivery job came available at a hospital near me for full time or part time. I applied and said I am willing to work either. I was told they are looking for someone with L&D experience. Another hospital 45 minutes away won't even let you do the online application unless you check the 'yes i have L&D experience' box.

I want to do L&D nursing more than I can say. I love everything about it and it is a true passion for me. I am even considering going back to school for midwife, but obviously want to break into it first.

So my question is.....How am I suppose to get an L&D job when everywhere wants L&D experience?? Anyone else deal with this?

[MICORAZON]

Good Question, I Look Forward To The Responses. I Know At The Hospital I Applied At Has 2 Positions Available, One They Want 1 Year Plus And The Other No Exxperience At All. Good Luck!

[babyktchr, BSN, RN]

If OB is what you want to do, then make yourself marketable. Though you don't have direct experience, take a fetal monitoring course, take NRP. Show that you are really determined. As a manager, I listen to many people in interviews TELL me that OB is what they want to do. It is rare that I really FEEL it in them. I took a chance on an inexperienced nurse just a few months ago. I just got a good "vibe" from her, and I thought she would be a good addition to my team. I told this particuluar applicant that I saw 8 other people with big time experience, but none had her passion. It is very expensive to orient someone...so the quicker you can get it done, the better. And, lets face it....there are more times than none you put the effort into orienting someone, for them to turn around and leave with their newfound experience in OB to bigger and better places.

My advice is to keep trying, be persistent and be passionate about what you want. Be good at what you do now, and keep learining.

Good luck

[nursecher]

If OB is what you want to do, then make yourself marketable. Though you don't have direct experience, take a fetal monitoring course, take NRP. Show that you are really determined. As a manager, I listen to many people in interviews TELL me that OB is what they want to do. It is rare that I really FEEL it in them. I took a chance on an inexperienced nurse just a few months ago. I just got a good "vibe" from her, and I thought she would be a good addition to my team. I told this particuluar applicant that I saw 8 other people with big time experience, but none had her passion. It is very expensive to orient someone...so the quicker you can get it done, the better. And, lets face it....there are more times than none you put the effort into orienting someone, for them to turn around and leave with their newfound experience in OB to bigger and better places.

My advice is to keep trying, be persistent and be passionate about what you want. Be good at what you do now, and keep learining.

Good luck

Thank you for your response. I will look into taking some related classes. I WILL work in OB someday! :heartbeat

[kalley]

My passion is also L&D nursing with midwifery also in my future. I am by no means experienced, I am just a pre-nursing student. With that said, I just landed a job in OB as a tech. I feel that it is the perfect job to get my foot in the door and for me to learn during nursing school. During my interview with the director of the unit she informed me that she doesn't hire nurses straight out of NS, but to spend 6+ months in a unit that requires lots of monitoring and then she would accept a newer grad. I had expected that so I just decided that I would take her advice, but for now I have my foot in the door and can earn respect from the others in OB.