I finally did it!

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Specializes in Labor & Delivery.

I got my foot in the door of OB nursing finally!

It took me six months to get my first job out of nursing school when I was living in Colorado. So I started out working in a prison for 6 months, we then moved to Texas and I worked on a Med/Surg unit for 9 months. I now live in Missouri and have worked in critical care for 6 months and I just introduced myself to the Director of Women's Services.

I had an interview for a L&D position at the hospital I work at and I felt defeated because the manager wouldn't give me a chance and wanted me to have Mom&Baby experience first. I must have mad a good impression though because no more than a week or two later she reached out to me for a Mom & Baby full time night position. She told me the job was mine if I wanted it and I accepted, I start Feb 23!

You don't know how long I have been waiting for this moment, to be apart of this speciality! I've been a member of AWHONN for over 3 years now and attended two conferences, I have my ACLS, NRP, and even took the Beginning to FHM course from AWHONN. And....I even have a interview for a L&D position at a different hospital next week!

All I have to say is don't give up hope, and to work you ass off to get what you want!

Now I have to pull out all my old OB nursing resources I have collected over the years, does anyone have any recommendations on what to do to prepare for my new position? Thank you so much!

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Nice! Congrats!! I got my dream job in the mother/baby unit pretty fast, too. I worked really hard to get that job! It feels amazing. I have been looking at my old textbook and looking up notes online to refresh my memory. :)

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Specializes in Critical Care, Postpartum.

Congrats! I'm almost a year on my current unit which is the requirement before requesting a transfer to the Women's hospital in our system. I'm interested in Mother/baby. The hospital favors hiring within the system so I have a good chance. How did you prepare for your interview despite lack of the specialty experience? You mentioned you are apart of AWOHNN. I was thinking of joining but noticed it didn't help you get your position or did it? Is joining something you recommend?

Sent via iPink RN's iPhone using allnurses.com

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Congrats! I'm almost a year on my current unit which is the requirement before requesting a transfer to the Women's hospital in our system. I'm interested in Mother/baby. The hospital favors hiring within the system so I have a good chance. How did you prepare for your interview despite lack of the specialty experience? You mentioned you are apart of AWOHNN. I was thinking of joining but noticed it didn't help you get your position or did it? Is joining something you recommend?

Sent via iPink RN's iPhone using allnurses.com

Honestly, the interview was like other interviews I've had. You can't really talk about a specialty that you have no experience with. It's basically how you handle patients, co-workers, and just nursing overall.

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Specializes in Labor & Delivery.

I think those things help because it shows you have initiative and are not waiting for your employer to provide those things for you.

I am a member of AWHONN (been for over 3 years) and have gone to two conventions. I also have my ACLS and NRP as well have taken the Introduction to FHM by AWHONN. I also had a interview today for a L&D position and I think it went very well! We'll see if I get offered that position as well.

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Specializes in Ob nurse.

Congrats! I finally made it out of orientation two weeks. I am so excited and loving every moment

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Specializes in Labor & Delivery.

I actually got offered a L&D position at another hospital and I accepted! I'm so excited! The manager was really impressed that I am a member or AWHONN and have my NRP, ACLS, and Intro to FHM class done.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.

I just wanted to say-CONGRATS!! :up:

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Specializes in Labor & Delivery.

Thanks! Any one have any tips for me? I start orientation in two weeks. Are there any good books or resources I should read? Thanks a lot!

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Congrats, that is so awesome!! I'm a mother-baby nurse at a busy hospital...Read up on topics like breastfeeding, preeclampsia, newborn jaundice/phototherapy... and familiarize yourself with postpartum and newborn assessments (for mom: feeling the fundus, checking bleeding, breastfeeding issues, s/s preeclampsia and hemorrhage; for baby: know normal vitals, jaundice, safety, how to swaddle heehee). Good luck!

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Specializes in Telemetry, L&D.

I'm in the same boat. L&D has been a DREAM for me, feels good to know you're starting a career in something you love! Congrats to you & good luck :)

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geekynurseRN

I live in Missouri also....what part of MO do you live in? Just wondered if we were close, I have my 2nd interview of OB unit this week.

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