How to transition from LT care to Labor and delivery?

[nursinggrl]

Hello all. I completed my ASN in the Philadelphia area summer 12 and completed my BSN dec 2013. I have been working in long term care/rehab unit since summer 12 because none of the hospitals would hire me due to lack of experience. I HATE LONG TERM CARE with a passion and I feel as a RN there is no growth there skill wise! I SO DESPERATELY want to work in the hospital but more importantly I NEED to work in L&D!!!! I have wanted to work in L&D before I became a nurse AND this was my strongest rotation during nursing school. How do I break away from LT care and get into L/D when all the hospitals keep telling me I don't have experience? I can I get experience when NO one will hire me?!! I starting to feel LOCKED into longterm care because now this is the only experience I have as a nurse. I AM VERY FRUSTRATED and feel like I'm just spinning my wheels here! Is there a class or course or cert I can take to help me get to this point? Is it true that I have to Known someone who works in the hospital to get hired? PLEASE HELP!!!!

[j0yegan]

I worked very hard to finally get my dream job in postpartum. It all started by volunteering in the newborn nursery and NICU. THAT'S how I started getting experience. Later on down the road, I made a friend who just so happened to work in postpartum at the hospital we work at. In the end, I got her to put in a good word for me and to let me know what her manager's email address was so I could email her about my interest in working on postpartum and send her my resume. Then I officially applied and kicked butt on both interviews I had and landed the job I've always wanted.

Basically, if you really want something, it's not going to fall on your lap. You've got to be smart and do all the right things and WORK for it. That is my secret. I hope I inspired you!! :)

[nursinggrl]

okay yes that makes a lot of sense to volunteer. I am going to look into that today. What about any certs I should take?

[RunBabyRN]

For certs, look at AWHONN fetal monitoring courses and at NRP (and maybe ACLS). Volunteering is a fantastic way to get to know people at the hospital.

I know that around here, people generally start out in postpartum then go to L&D, but I realize that's different everywhere. You might look at doing a lactation specialist course (different than lactation consultant), because it's a great skill and you can make good connections there. LC takes A LOT more time, and will be MUCH easier to get once you're on the unit.

Consider joining AWHONN and see if they have any kind of meetings or dinners or something in your area, where you can make connections. Put it out there on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, everywhere you possibly can that you are looking to move into L&D and see who knows someone. You never know!!

You might also consider seeing if any local OBs are hiring for their offices. It's outpt, but it's a step.

[nursinggrl]

thank you soo much for the advise. It is very useful and I will be using it!