Is OB nursing too competitive to consider?

Magen1021 · Apr 20, 2011

I'm in a similar boat. I graduate in August and have extreme nerves about finding a job, let alone my dream job!

I say apply for every OB position you can along with general med/surg just in case. If it gets to the point that you aren't getting called back for any OB positions then what the hell, do 1 year or so in med/surg and then you'll be that much more marketable.

I know many of the birthing centers prefer (if not require) at least a year of prior experience anyways.

Good luck to you and I'm sure no matter what eventually you make it to where you want to be!!

Double-Helix, BSN, RN · Apr 20, 2011

If you want to do OB nursing, then that's what you should pursue. Just don't limit yourself to applying for ONLY OB positions when you are graduating. Be willing to accept a Med-Surg or other position when you are starting out. If you want an OB position starting out, then doing your partnership there probably gives you the best opportunity, since most OB positions will require experience. It's true that lots of nursing students say they want to do OB, but many change their minds and a much smaller percentage actually end up pursuing or working in that field.

Like you said, this is a tough economic climate, but that means that, at the moment, EVERY nursing position is highly competitive, not just the specialty areas.

I would advise against doula training, unless it's something you would like to do on the side. The role of a doula is primarily supporting the laboring mother, which is a VERY small part of what OB nurses do. If you want to be more competitive, consider Neonatal recussitation, fetal monitoring, and ACLS.

Ashley

loriangel14, RN · Apr 20, 2011

Aiming for a job in OB is fine but it's not realistic to expect to get an OB right out of school.Any OB nurse I know worked in other areas first to gain experience. In a specialized area they will want you to have general experience first.

shlay51 · Apr 20, 2011

I think every nursing class has a large handful of students that want to go into OB. My class had 4, but my class was also super small, only 8 of us. By the end of it, I was the only one that still wanted to do it upon graduating. Actually doing our OB rotation is what changed the minds of the others, not sure exactly what but by the time we were done, they were over the idea of OB nursing.

I'm not in an OB position right now, but I haven't given up hope to eventually be in one. I'm in the process of trying to move to FL and I apply for OB positions, but also Med/Surg etc. Don't limit yourself to just one area because you will be sadly disappointed or will struggle finding a job. Experience will get you much further when it comes to getting into a specialized area.

BSNMommyof4 · Apr 28, 2011

Do not give up on your dream. I knew at 17 I wanted to do OB nursing. I graduated in 09 and did Med/Surg nursing, LTC nursing and School nursing. I just accepted a new position in L&D last week. You may have to do a year of med/surg and then transfer out but if L&D is your dream stick with it and apply for positions. I know the hospital I work for have two seperate hiring divisions and career boards. One for new grads and one for a year and over experience and when I first graduated they had no OB nursing positions posted on the New Grad career board so I did Med/Surg. I would apply though for L&D positions that you see posted. You never know what might happen.

dseem13 · Apr 29, 2011

If you want to do OB nursing, then that's what you should pursue. Just don't limit yourself to applying for ONLY OB positions when you are graduating. Be willing to accept a Med-Surg or other position when you are starting out. If you want an OB position starting out, then doing your partnership there probably gives you the best opportunity, since most OB positions will require experience. It's true that lots of nursing students say they want to do OB, but many change their minds and a much smaller percentage actually end up pursuing or working in that field.
Like you said, this is a tough economic climate, but that means that, at the moment, EVERY nursing position is highly competitive, not just the specialty areas.
I would advise against doula training, unless it's something you would like to do on the side. The role of a doula is primarily supporting the laboring mother, which is a VERY small part of what OB nurses do. If you want to be more competitive, consider Neonatal recussitation, fetal monitoring, and ACLS.
Ashley

^^^ This. Also, I'd encourage you to do your preceptorship in OB. It will give you more experience than those applicants who did not. I was hired into OB as a new grad, and I was told that was one of the things that set me apart. Good luck to you!

NeoPediRN · Apr 29, 2011

I've been trying to get into OB since I graduated three years ago. I've had the same job fall through twice. I'm still determined to get into it though!