Med-Surg and acute rehab nursing to L&D/Post-Partum? Feasable?

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Specializes in Med Surg, ER, acute rehab, Liaison..

Hello. This is my first post in allnurses, and I have been loving all the info here. :)

I am very interested in the field of L&D and post-partum. I have 2 solid years of med-surg, some

ER, and 1 yr of acute rehab nursing. I am currently a Clinical Liaison. I want to get back into the hospital setting, but cannot stomach the thought of even one day of med surg ever again in my life. I know all nursing positions have their challenges--heck, if you have the initials "RN" after your name, you're supposed to walk on water and jump through many hoops, all at the same time! OB nursing just seems to fit my personality much better. I do not have this experience, so would I need to apply to my local hospital and hope that they might hire me in L&D or PP and train me? Any advice is coveted. Thanks!

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Specializes in Certified Med/Surg tele, and other stuff.

Is your med/surg experience recent? It might be difficult to go from rehab to OB/L&D. I would check your hospital and see if there is a residency (non grad) for you. All you can do is apply.

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Specializes in Med Surg, ER, acute rehab, Liaison..

Thanks for the reply.

Been a Liaison for approx. 15 mos, and worked a few times on floor for some O.T. Prior to that, worked on floor in rehab for 1 yr. Rehab nursing is quite similar to med-surg actually, managing multiple co-morbidities, IV abx & pain meds, wound vacs, caths, etc., but actual full-time, full-on "med-surg" was about 2 yrs. ago, and on the floor rehab nursing (which was med-surgey) 14 mos. ago. So, actually, 15 mos ago.

As a side note, being a Clinical Liaison has taught me very thorough assessment skills!! :nurse:

Would love to hear your reply!

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Specializes in ICU.

It doesn't matter what is "feasible" or not; all that matters is finding someone willing to hire you for L&D. There always seems to be L&D jobs in my area. As for Post-Partum, I know lots of nurses who had only med-surg or ICU experience who went to work in that area. Post-Partum is a lot like med-surg, in my opinion, and most of the nurses that I am familiar with love it. You have to start somewhere, and your experience sounds good to me. Good luck.

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Specializes in Med Surg, ER, acute rehab, Liaison..

Thank you both for the reply. I will definitely move forward with this. You are right about whether it is 'feasible' or not. All I can do is try :D

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