How to "get in"?

[what2donow]

Does anyone have any advice on how to get a job in L & D, post-partum, maternity, or any form of women's health nursing??? I feel like I've finally decided where my nursing niche is and want to go back to school to become a nurse midwife, but I cannot for the life of me manage to get a job in a related field! I have 6 years of nursing experience in med-surg and ICU, including charge nurse and preceptor roles, but it seems that those rare perinatal jobs that open up require experience in L and D or some OB nursing. How does one get experience if every position requires experience? Any thoughts? Thank you.

[byrd262, BSN, RN]

I can't speak for the experience side of L&D/WH/Post-P but I can tell you that a lot of Certified Nurse Midwifery programs DO NOT require experience. I am still in school for my 2nd degree BSN and received dual admission into 3 Midwifery programs during the application process. They didn't require any experience. Additionally, each of the programs are high ranking midwifery programs (whatever that means).

So, if you think that experience will hinder you, it probably won't. Afterall, you have experience as a nurse. Check out your schools of interest and evaluate their requirements though. Then go from there.

[Be_Moore]

The best bet is to probably try to transfer in the facility you are in, considering most facilities give preference to transfers vs. new hires. Talk to the manager of your facilities women's health floors (or managers) and see what they think about looking at you for a transfer.

And don't tell them it's because you want to go to school to be a Midwife....they'll definitely not accept you knowing that you want to leave and go to grad school.