How long until they take apps for L&D?

[HeartsOpenWide, RN]

I am precepting in L&D at a hospital that I would like to work at after I graduate. There are three hospitals in my area so I am not sure if they are all like the one I am currently at, but they told me that they will not hire a new grad in OB until he/she has worked on Med/surg for a year first. Is this common place? If so I am really bummed. I am in nursing school to eventually get my masters and become a nurse midwife. Not that I am that old or anything (27) but I have one year of nursing school left and most masters programs are 18 months. I planned to work a year in OB if I did not get in and then apply again, so if I have to work a year in Med/surg, then a year in OB before I get in to an 18 month program I will be 32 before I graduate. I want to wait to have kids until I get my masters....but 32...I don't want to wait THAT long...but I do not want to try and get my masters while having a baby either...please tell me not all hospitals make you work a year in med/surg before getting into L&D!!!

[rn4babies63]

I currently work at 2 hospitals on L&D. I was hired directly from nursing school into L&D 12 years ago with NO med/surg whatsoever. That was a large high risk teaching facility. My 1st current job hired 6 new grads last year with NO med surg experience. However, my casual position won't even consider hiring a new grad. I guess I completely depends on the facility and their needs!.. Personally, I feel you should have at least one year of med/surg but, thankfully, I've learned alot from my coworkers in differant areas. I've only worked OB and don't think I'd ever want to do anything else!

[mom2michael, MSN, RN, NP]

It's pretty common where I live. Most want at least 1 year of experience and there aren't any facilities where I live/work that will take a new grad in OB.

[HeartsOpenWide, RN]

thanks for the replys but....

[Halinja, BSN, RN]

I went straight into L&D when I graduated. There were six of us new grads that were hired. And I had an offer from a different L&D unit at the same time. I guess it depends on where you are. They were in the state I'm living in now. I could also have hired into the hospital where I did my practicum in L&D, had I stayed in that state.

[jenrninmi, MSN, RN]

but they told me that they will not hire a new grad in OB until he/she has worked on Med/surg for a year first. Is this common place?

Yes, it's very typical - at least in my neck of the woods. I had to do the same thing. That first year of med/surg went really fast and I learned so much and got a ton of bedside experience. Not that I fully believe you should have to have that year of med/surg, but I am happy now that I had it.

[CEG]

I am a new grad working in LDRP and I had two other L & D job offers so in my area it is very common for new grads to work in specialty areas.