is it more likely to get a job in L AND D in a smaller hospital?

[thekid]

All I've ever wanted to do is work in l and d but I know the reality is that my limited experience as a nurse is in long term care and hospice.

Would I have better chances of getting a job in l and d if I tried for a small community hospital, maybe one that is in a remote location?

Would it help to work as a tech or unit secretary first?

thank you

[PAERRN20]

I do not have L and D experience, nor do I desire too....but I have worked exclusively in small community hospitals. They are all about cliques. It is difficult to get into OB anywhere I think. I would aim for a large hospital that accepts new grads into OB and offers a preceptorship. Or, you could do ante/post partum or nursey to get your foot in the door that way. Good luck!

[sahm02]

I was lucky enough to get a L&D positon after graduation, however I had one yr of med/surg as an LPN so that helped me out alot, as I had the basic nursing skills under my belt. Try a teaching hospital it may help, but it is very difficult to get into, basically a nurse has to leave or die for a position to open!

[bagladyrn, RN]

I've worked in all sizes of hospitals as a traveler.

I'd suggest a mid size hospital rather than a small rural one because with the limited staffing in small hospitals the chance of good orientation is reduced. You also will take longer to gain experience as certain high risk situations just aren't seen as often in these settings. You should also remember that when these situations do occur in a small facility you do not have the backup you would have in a bigger place (lab, pharmacy, rt, physician, OR staff may all be at home on call). You have to have the skills to handle it yourself.

The large university hospitals have an advantage, but may be very high level and busy. I think the best environment for learning would be a community hospital (under about 200 bed) that does 100-200 deliveries a month.

[thekid]

thanks so much for the answers..