Labor and Delivery Nurse Questions

tokmom, BSN, RN · May 1, 2010

I would assume it would be to get in a residency program at a larger hospital. There you would be exposed to many deliveries.

imenid37 · May 1, 2010

It depends on where you are. I just returned from St. Louis and two of my colleagues have these type of programs in their facilities. I work for a small hospital and we do not. Other places have summer nurse extern programs and a student who works in L&D for a summer and makes her/his mark may have a better than average shot at a position. Some facilities love it when a person has worked as a doula or a tech in L&D. Some people see doula (rightly or wrongly- I see it mostly as a plus) and think no thank you. The reasoning is they feel a doula maybe someone who challenges the rountines, etc of the facility. If you live in an area and plan to work where doulas are well accepted, that may be a good intermediate move. It will also get you in to see if you like L&D. Also non-profits or health departments sometimes recruit people to teach parenting or childbirth classes. Again, that could be a good experience for you. To become a certified childbirth educator, rather than taking on casual teaching of classes or helping with them is more of a committement of time. Being certified as a doula is also a time committement. If you have not even been accepted into a nursing program yet, getting certified to teach childbirth classes or be a doula might be a good move in the meantime. Good luck!

wife&mommyRN · May 1, 2010

Hi There,

Im graduating in a couple of weeks from an ABSN program currently and I accepted my first position on an OB floor at a big teaching facility in my area. In my area thats a tough specialty to enter into because majority of the nurses love their career choice and tend to remain throughout their career. I really wanted M/S after graduation so I could eventually become an ED nurse, but in this economy beggars can't be choosers. It's not impossible to get a job as a new grad, but its highly unlikely. Majority of my classmates wanted OB, but currently only a handful of people even have a job lined up. If I were you I would begin by keeping an open mind to anything bc as a new grad in this economy just having a job lined up after you graduate is a huge stepping stone. You can always transfer to L&D in the near future after graduation. But, I would begin by securing a position as an extern/ OB tech at a big hospital. This will just about guarantee you a position after graduation. Best of Luck :)

hearts895, RN BSN · May 1, 2010

Try to get a volunteer or CNA position on that floor at a hospital. Look into extern/internships. Good luck!

DayDreamin ER CRNP · May 1, 2010

I am very interested in getting into Labor and Delivery; however, i need to know would be the best steps to take to ensure my placement in the L&D floor when I finish school?
Warmly,
Abby

I don't think there is a way to guarantee any nursing job on any unit unless your mom or your BFF is the nurse manager.

I would also not put all my eggs in one basket either. I used to think there was no way in the world I'd ever want to work in L&D myself but after spending a little time there I am totally rethinking my original thought. If I were in your shoes, I think I would wait until I start precepting to make a decision. I also think it is best to get as much experience in different areas while you are in med-surg clinicals and build your other skills before deciding. You may totally hate L&D but may LOVE working in peds. You just never know for sure. In our program and at our hospital, new grads aren't always hired from the unit they precept on but it does help. New grad jobs are tough to get everywhere these days so beggers can't be choosers.

I guess what I'm trying to say is, keep an open mind but if you are adamant about getting an L&D job just do that clinical better than everyone else and do well on your HESIs.

m

Noelani · May 2, 2010

Imenid-

Would you mind telling me what the programs are that you mentioned were available in St. Louis? I'm aware of the perinatal fellowship at St. John's Mercy, but haven't heard of any others.

Thanks!