How to get L&D experience

[jessnye]

Hi, I am just a beginning nursing student and would like to eventually work in l&d. But all the job postings all over my state (Maine) for l&d nurses are looking for people with experience in l&d. How do you get experience if you have to HAVE experience to be hired? :) I know some states have new grad l&d and also NICU programs but I can't find any in Maine. Anyone know of any in New England? Thanks everyone!

[HeartsOpenWide, RN]

I was wanting to know if you felt that it was beneficial in assisting your patients during labor. Guess I should have been more clear, but I suppose it can also help in the hiring process. Thanks again for your input :)

Yes it has definitely helped with with assisting women in labor; for sure! I of course can not be with the woman at all times like doula would be, but I function as a nurse and give comfort like a doula. Does that help?

[tokidoki7, ASN, RN]

I did three hundred extra precepted clinical hours in labor and delivery, became a certified doula, got my NRP while still in school, and took a beginning midwifery course with a licensed midwife. Another girl in my class also got hired into L&D after graduating because she was working as a unit clerk in our L&D unit.

When you attended the 2 live births, did your trainer arrange that for you? Did you ever have the chance to work as a doula? If so, how were you compensated? Did you find that doulas were heard of on the L&D you worked on? If a woman is about to give birth in a hospital and requests how doula, what processes are taken to do that? Thank you!

[nkara, CNA]

I have a question about becoming a Doula. I work full time nights at a pediatric hospital and would like to become a L&D nurse .. right now I'm a CNA. My question is become a Doula how do I co-ordinate the hours? Should I just try to do post-partum Doula?