L&D is def. what i have to do...

punkydoodlesRN, BSN, RN · Apr 27, 2011

I just got off a 12 hr shift and I don't feel like reading through 3 pages - but here' what I know from my facility.

I work on postpartum, but our director hired 13 new nurses in Jan to work L&D and PPU. Of those 13, I had been working for 8 months psych and 2 other had 18m IMCU experience. The other 10 were brand-new nurses - 2 were actually just GN's!!

The told us over and over, that they prefer to hire fresh meat - L&D is completely different that IMCU or a Med-Surg floor and they like to train nurses from the beginning so they don't have to deal with bad habits!

Oh, the 13 they hired had nothing extra - NRP, PALS, ACLS or such.

Good luck!!

samantha0890 · Apr 27, 2011

punkydoodles-- That just made my day! & that's what I was thinking, why would someone not want to hire a new grad & train them how they want? It makes me very hopeful!

BSNMommyof4 · Apr 28, 2011

I completely understand where you are coming from. I have wanted to do OB nursing since age 17 and I did my practicum before graduating from my nursing program in L&D. I didn't want to take just anything either when I graduated in May 09 but after finding myself jobless for 2 months after passing boards in September of 09, I took a med/surg position and was unhappy but I had a job and I had to be thankful for that but I never gave up on my L&D dreams. I left med/surg and went to LTC which was definitely not a fit for me. I preferred the hospital. I did substitute school nursing and just a week ago I was offered an L&D position. I will say that I learned alot in my med/surg position during the time I was there. If you can hold out until you obtain an L&D position than more power to you but you might have to take a different position, do a year or the required time your hospital asks for before transfers to other departments, and then transfer to L&D. I would recommend if you do decide to do a year in a different department, contact the L&D Nurse Manager at your hospital and let them know that you are interested and passionate about working on their unit and send a resume. Make yourself known to them and when a position becomes available, apply and this way they will have had some form of communication with you already. I wish you well.

The hospital I will be working for does take new grads in L&D as well as the one I did my Practicum at so stay hopeful and keep applying for positions.

samantha0890 · Apr 28, 2011

Thanks everyone for your replies. Yes, I may sound a little dramatic, but really didn't mean to, lol. I just took something the wrong way. My mistake! :)

I understand that med-surg will probably give me more comfort and some experience, and I'll def. do it if L&D doesn't come my way.

Devie06--i can def. understand where you are coming from by not feeling as comfortable with a new grad as a nurse. but wouldn't it be the same as a nurse transferring from a different field, having to learn all the new techniques of what a l&d nurse does, please correct me if I'm wrong, because I haven't graduated yet and do not know.

BSNMommy- i can't hold out to wait for an L&D position too long ,because I've got to work! i'm just hoping its available when the time comes!

Everyone's advice is very helpful, thanks!

destova · Apr 28, 2011

Congratulations to you for knowing what you want to do and going for it! I just wanted to make sure you fully took in the gem in punkydoodles comment- she mentioned the NRP, PALS, & ACLS certifications. I'd say the NRP will likely make you more appealing to a L&D unit. Perhaps also pick up a course on reading fetal monitors? Just look at the specialty side of a L&D unit and learn/certify in as much of it as you can.

good luck!

Devie06 · Apr 28, 2011

Of course every specialty has it's training requirements, but if you have experience in med/surg first (or anywhere) you learn and practice all the basics. By the time you transfer to L&D you learn the specialty with your basics nailed. Its just that as a new mom, I am bearing my naked body and putting my baby's new life right on the line. It is a vulnerable position and comforting to know your caregivers are experienced.

finalscore3b1g · Jun 30, 2012

CONGRATULATIONS!!!! I graduate in Dec 12' (1 more semester in Sept), did you do any intern/externships? Do share interview tips:bow:

melmarie23, MSN, RN · Jul 1, 2012

the only new grad that we hired onto our unit was a LNA for us prior. So she already had an "in" on our unit. Also, we are only training her to mom baby for now and she will have to wait a year or so before she gets trained for labor (we are a LDRP unit).

I'd suggest not only getting a preceptorship on L&D if that is something that your program allows, but try to get a ob as a LNA/PCT on a L&D unit as well. Anything you can do to get your foot in the door, the better.

Me? I had to work med/surge first before any hospital with a L&D unit would even look at me. Thankfully, it was only after working m/s for 4ish months that I then got hired into L&D, but I absolutely attribute m/s in getting me noticed.

melmarie23, MSN, RN · Jul 1, 2012

and not for nothing, med/surge skills are great for L&D as well. We get gyn surgicals often. Also, a handful of our lady partsl deliveries go down for PPTLs the day after their births (c/s patients have this done right after their section). You need those skills for this population. You need to know how to assess all symptoms.

for instance, my post vag del PPTL pt the other night ended up having an internal abd bleed after her surgery. You have to know what to expect and do in that sort of situation.

jeckarose28 · Jul 1, 2012

Hey y'all

Do. Just letting you know it's possible :)

rn/writer, RN · Jul 1, 2012

It's possible to get hired in L&D as a new grad. But keep in mind that a number of those newbies wash out or quit. Why? Because the high-stress, high responsibility area of L&D may not be the best place to learn nursing basics. I was hired on a postpartum unit at the same time as eight new nurses began their L&D orientation. Half of them left. Another one transferred. Three were able to make the cut. Some of those who ended up leaving might have been more successful if they'd gotten some experience under their belts before trying for their dream job. I know a couple of them were very disappointed that they couldn't make it work.

Earlier in this thread you asked what you could do to become more hireable. As much as you may not want to hear it, if I were a unit manager, I would give more credit to someone who went to work shortly after becoming licensed than to another candidate who waited months for the perfect job. I'd figure they were more of a go-getter and had kept their skills sharp. I'd also believe working had helped them learn to prioritize, manage their time, and tightened up their organizational skills.

Even if med/surg is not your thing long term, if you found a job there, I'd encourage you to jump on it. L&D is full of high risk patients with all kinds of complicating factors. The same A&P and pathophysiology that govern med/surg can give you excellent assessment skills that encompass, not just the narrowed vision of reproductive knowledge, but the bigger picture involving patients who are diabetic, have heart conditions, renal problems, and a host of other "med/surg" needs.

Getting hired into L&D fresh out of the box can be done, but you may find keeping the job is a bigger challenge than you'd bargained for. Whatever you do, make the most of your time and be as certain as you can be that you're really prepared to make that dream job work for you.

I wish you the best.

kthelan2 · Jul 3, 2012

Everyone told me that it would be "impossible" to get hired as a new grad in L/D too. It's difficult, but definitely not impossible. I got hired 2 months after graduation into L/D. Best advice to give you: if you are able to get a job as a CNA on any unit in a hospital, it's easier to be an internal transfer rather than an outside applicant. Join AWHONN, attend meetings, and mention it during an interview. It will impress the manager. Hope that helps and good luck!