Longing and Wanting

romaniam · Jan 30, 2013

I suggest going to the hospital and looking for the manager and just introduce yourself. It will show that you have initiative and are truly interested. I had one manager tell me that she would be impressed if someone actually did that. What have you been doing since graduation? Have you done any medically related volunteer work? Red Cross? Nursing home? Nursery? Also, if you want to go into L&D you can get NRP certified. You could also do ACLS. Of course, that's if you have money to spare. Getting those certifications can be expensive if you're not working. Good luck to you!

MamaMadge, ADN, BSN · Jan 30, 2013

When I sat on an interview panel for new candidates for our department, I really wanted to hear that someone was passionate about Labor and Delivery. It is a tough job, it can be like an ER sometimes, you can get yelled at, pinched and scratched. You have got to LOVE what you do to be a Labor and Delivery nurse. If you can convey that to the manager, that it is your passion and that you are committed, you will definitely stand out!! Good luck!

rn/writer, RN · Jan 31, 2013

You might also get in touch with a unit manager to ask about job shadowing.

Read the Ob/Gyn threads here at AN. Try to get a feel for the reality of L&D, postpartum and gyn patients. A lot of students/nurses have a romanticized view of the whole L&D experience. It just sounds like such a great opportunity. You get to help women bring their children into the world and take care of babies and do a lot of teaching about breastfeeding. Those things are a part of the job, but there is a lot more to it. Some get disenchanted when they find out how much you have to learn and how many other challenges go with L&D and postpartum.

If you can get past the idealized, emotional attraction and go a little deeper, that alone will give you an edge over someone who goes in and talks about how she's wanted to take care of babies since she was twelve and got her first job as a sitter. I don't think there's anything wrong with that. It's just not enough to say that the candidate has a realistic understanding about what the job entails.

If you familiarize yourself with some of the terminology and the kinds of skills you hope to gain and practice, that will say that you have done your homework and are willing to work hard to learn more.

Google things like NRP, STABLE, obstetrical nursing, breastfeeding assistance and anything else you can think of. You'll find thousands of links that will help familiarize you with this area of nursing.

If I were an interviewer, I would be looking for someone who has gone beyond the emotional attraction and started delving into the learning and development necessary to be successful on my unit.

I hope this goes well for you. Let us know what happens.

PeepnBiscuitsRN · Feb 1, 2013

My manager was very happy I popped in to say "hi". Also when she interviewed me, she said it was clear from my resume that I was "passionate" about this field. I gave reasons why, and I would suggest you do the same- why do you want to work in this field? It's not enough to just love babies, and to feel that this is a happy department- it isn't always. I tend to correct people when they say "ah, you switched from cardiac to babies, I bet it's such a happy place, the happiest place in the hospital!" Well, yes it's happier than say the oncology unit. Generally it's good, but as one L&D nurse said "on a sad day here it's the saddest place in the hospital". So yes, it's not all rosy baby bottoms. Give reasons why you are passionate about this field- you are interested in the direction that the whole field is going with Baby Friendly Initiave (look it up, my manager was pleased that I didn't have a lick of experience but knew what that was) rooming in, and breastfeeding trends.

Another thing I did was join AWHONN- it's not cheap, per se, but you get magazines that discuss a lot of what you'll be concerning yourself with in OB. That's another thing my manager liked, was that before I ever had experience in OB, I joined an organization. I familiarized myself with IBCLE, La Leche League and other pertinent organizations.

I guess what I mean is do your research. Think about why you want to go into this field because I guarentee they will ask you this and they will look for an answer that reflects some background. Also, I would highly suggest looking into the program, learning about it, learning about the hospital or facility that is offering it. They may ask you what you know about it, and it looks very good to know a good deal about it. Bringing up points about the facility that you appreciate always looks good to a manager. (My hosptial is very urban, with a huge muticultrual client base and that was a big talking point during my interview, as well as my soft spot for pregnant teens and the trends in teen pregnancy).

So I hope this helps. But a word to the wise- don't hold on with all your might to this oppertunity. I have done this and have been shattered when things didn't go right. Certainly pursue it, be aggressive and hope, but don't put ALL your hope into it. (This is personal experience talking).

vanesp · Feb 1, 2013

Thank you, your words really made me analyze and look into my future for this specialty.

vanesp · Feb 1, 2013

I really appreciated your comment, it made me see the bigger picture.

vanesp · Feb 1, 2013

Thank you, your words really made me analyze and look into my future for this specialty.[if you can get past the idealized, emotional attraction and go a little deeper, that alone will give you an edge over someone who goes in and talks about how she's wanted to take care of babies since she was twelve and got her first job as a sitter. I don't think there's anything wrong with that. It's just not enough to say that the candidate has a realistic understanding about what the job entails. ]