Longing to be a women's service nurse

RNlovesherPharmD · Mar 30, 2011

I am in your same boat, except I prefer L&D. I have done several things to boost my resume like taking NRP, ACLS, and AWHONN's fetal heart monitoring class--even thought I am working Med/Tele. It will show them that you have a passion and nothing will stop you, plus you will meet the basic requirements!

I have an interview for a Mother/Baby job coming up---wish me luck! I wish you all the best in your search as well :)

symmetry · Mar 30, 2011

I think it's extremely valuable to have had med-surg experience before moving to post partum because you'll have the confidence to deal with complex medical issues that post partum patients will occasionally have. Also, many times post partum units have gyn surgery patients who are more likely to have those complex issues. The last couple of years seem to have been slow in OB, at least where I am, but I see it picking up.

Keep trying, and when interviewing emphasize the diverse patient load you've cared for in med-surg. With your background, and a short orientation period, you would quickly pick up what you need to know for post partum patients. For an experienced med-surg nurse the orientation with a preceptor shouldn't need to be more than 2-3 weeks at most. So, the argument that you don't have post partum experience seems like it could be countered with assurances from you that you are a quick learner and have a strong desire to get into that area of nursing. Think of your year of med-surg as a very good advantage to have. Good luck!

BrookeeLou_RN · Mar 31, 2011

Taking the fetal monitoring and NRP would be great for boosting your chances.. Just keep trying. I know it is frustrating. Learn all you can on your own. Try to meet some nurses in OB and see what they suggest..Networking is good!

punkydoodlesRN, BSN, RN · Mar 31, 2011

I'm on my phone, but if you'll msg me I'd be happy to help you. That would give me a reminder tomorrow. I'm a post partum nurse in Houst

misha8210 · Mar 31, 2011

I am in your same boat, except I prefer L&D. I have done several things to boost my resume like taking NRP, ACLS, and AWHONN's fetal heart monitoring class--even thought I am working Med/Tele. It will show them that you have a passion and nothing will stop you, plus you will meet the basic requirements!
I have an interview for a Mother/Baby job coming up---wish me luck! I wish you all the best in your search as well :)

I wish you luck!!! I hope you get the job. Please keep us posted:heartbeat

punkydoodlesRN, BSN, RN · Mar 31, 2011

Misha, I sent you a long-winded message. I don't see it in my sent box, so could you let me know if you didn't get it!!

adris425 · Apr 1, 2011

Hi!

I am still an undergrad looking to apply to the nursing program at my school. I have fears about not being able to get a job as a labor and delivery nurse right after graduating, and I really can't see myself doing other type of nursing other than l&d. Any thoughts would be helpful! Thanks :)

BrookeeLou_RN · Apr 1, 2011

I suggest you look for internship or any type of job once in nursing school that would give you any OB/postpartum/nursery experience. After my 1st nursing semester I started as nurses' aide then applied and got hired as a nurse intern (paid well also) in a newborn nursery. This was my advantage when applying for L&D as a new grad... Also when doing clinicals for OB .. get to know staff at hospital real well never know when connections might help. Good luck with your studies.

punkydoodlesRN, BSN, RN · Apr 1, 2011

Hi!
I am still an undergrad looking to apply to the nursing program at my school. I have fears about not being able to get a job as a labor and delivery nurse right after graduating, and I really can't see myself doing other type of nursing other than l&d. Any thoughts would be helpful! Thanks :)

My hospital just hired 11 brand-new-fresh-out-of-school-with-NO-experience nurses this past January. Not a one of us had NRP, PALS, ACLS or fetal-monitoring.( I had been working psych for 8 months, and was an aide for mother/baby care for 2 years about 10 years prior) We are slowly but surely taking the classes along with our 5 month orientation program. So basically, getting paid to take a free class.

I agree with getting to know staff and the NM where ever you do clinicals. Also, make a trip to HR and rub elbows with recuiters. A recruiter is how all 11 of us got in the door.

If our NM has said it once, she's said it a hundred times. She prefers to hire new nurses without med-surge experience. She says the only thing that works for that nurse is how to prioritize and manage time - beyond that, PPU and L&D is so drastically different that the experienced med-surge nurses usually don't fair well. She's also said over and over that she loves new nurses - no bad habits to break and we're all soo happy to have our first job that our eagerness to learn makes training quick and easy :yeah:

And to undergrads wanting to apply to nursing school - be an aide anyways - nursing schools typically like that - you've already seen the inside of nursing and are still applying - that makes you less of a drop-out-risk. Making it an aide on L&D (or PPU as my hospital doesn't have aides on L&D, just unit secretaries) would just be icing on the cake.

misha8210 · Apr 1, 2011

Misha, I sent you a long-winded message. I don't see it in my sent box, so could you let me know if you didn't get it!!

I have receive it. Thank you very much!!!!

ocmama · Apr 4, 2011

UCSD offers an online lactation educator program that would be great preparation for working with new (breastfeeding) postpartum moms. I'm sure that would look good on your resume and show that you were serious about wanting to work in pp, especially if your hospital has any inclination of going "Baby Friendly." Good luck!