med/surg RN who wants to be in OB so bad!!!

Specialties Ob/Gyn

Published

I'm getting really frustrated. I now have almost 2 years experience in med/surg and have applied 3 times to OB. I automatically get denied I think due to my lack of OB or L&D experience. How am I supposed to get experience in a specialty if no one will give me a chance to even interview!!! Does anyone have advice on what I could do to at least get an interview. Should I talk to HR???

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I would suggest talking to HR! Or shadowing of some sort!

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Specializes in Critical Care, Postpartum.

You aren't alone in your desire to transfer to OB. A coworker of mine had five years of critical care experienced and kept trying to get a transfer to the OB department - she was denied each time. She ultimately started applying outside of her hospital and now she's working at my hospital, loving her job.

Yes, try HR but also start expanding your search to outside your hospital system if they aren't willing to give you a chance. I had no prior OB experience besides my nursing school but got my transfer after spending a year on my critical care floor. In fact, most of my coworkers were transfers from other units.

Good luck! Don't give up.

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Make friends in OB or get former nursing-school classmates who now work in OB to put in a good word for you to their manager. Then get ahold of their manager and give them your resume and cover letter. IT WORKED FOR ME! If you want something badly, it doesn't fall into your lap. You have to work your ass off to get what you want!

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thanks for the replies! I will keep trying!

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Specializes in Reproductive & Public Health.

Yes, get some face time with the unit manager! The only way to get in is to make a personal contact.

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Specializes in Labor and Delivery, Recovery, Postpartum.

The hospital I work for has a combined labor, delivery, postpartum set up. I got in by working in postpartum first, otherwise I would've been in your same boat. I would also get whatever certifications your facility requires of a labor nurse, if you can. Take fetal monitoring, NRP, STABLE, get your ACLS... These certs may come out of pocket, but then you'll be prepared and you'll have a leg up on other applicants. Take CEs with a maternal child focus. Load your resume with content that screams "I want labor!!!" And NETWORK!! Just like the others said... Make friends, get it know the boss... Keep trying!! You'll get there!! :)

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

Toss a wider net. Apply at any and all hospitals you can possibly commute to. It helps to know someone, too. Social contacts are one of the best ways to get an "in" in any job.

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Specializes in MedSurg, PACU, Maternal/Child Health.

My hospital L & D and Postpartum accepts RNs from our med/surg , telemetry, psych, and other departments. These RNs though, they went directly to the Director of Nursing of the OB department to express their interest. Once you are working somewhere you need to do more than just apply online (thats for people outside the hospital). So you can apply online, then schedule to meet with the ADN of L and D and tke her your resume and express your interest. Thats what works once you are already in the hospital system.

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Specializes in Postpartum, Med Surg, Home Health.

Hi NRS86; I was just wondering if you can give an update? Did you end up getting an OB job? I am also currently in medsurg and wanting to get Into post partum sooo bad!

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