Need Help getting L&D position!

nursecher · Jan 22, 2008

Hello all! I am new RN grad and have been trying to get into L&D for months. Every place I talk to wants previous experience. Does anyone have any advice as to how I can get my foot in the door or know of any hospitals in Ohio that hire new grads?
Thank you so much!

What part of Ohio? I am also interested in L&D but due to lack of positions in my area I am choosing to do Med/Surg for a year or two first. I know if you go down south there are a ton and its probably like that in any hospital that is that large. For example the hospital in my area delivers 100 babies a year, down there they deliver 2,000 per year. Good luck!

JulieRN07 · Jan 22, 2008

I am actually down towards Cincinnati. We do have large hospitals here, but I have yet to find one that doesn't want experiance. I do have 3 years in med/surg as an LPN, even though I know its not exactly the same as being an RN. I don't know how I am supposed to get experiance if no one is willing to train me.

nursecher · Jan 22, 2008

I am actually down towards Cincinnati. We do have large hospitals here, but I have yet to find one that doesn't want experiance. I do have 3 years in med/surg as an LPN, even though I know its not exactly the same as being an RN. I don't know how I am supposed to get experiance if no one is willing to train me.

Maybe you should apply for those positions anyway. I think that the LPN med/surg experience is valuable. Again, you may end up working med/surg until something comes up. I understand your passion I too love L&D.

MalgaBSN · Jan 26, 2008

Sometimes there are positions that are internships in OB-- that would be a good place to start. Otherwise, get a job in a hospital with an OB unit that you want to work in and then transfer from within when an opportunity arises (better odds-- most hospitals hire from within first). You may have to take a crappy shift/hours. While you are waiting do some self study on Perinatal nursing, join AWHONN, and take some contiuing ed in perinatal areas because that will help to show your interest on your resume. Maybe get your certified lactation couselor training done (good healthy children CLC to find more). You may get into mother-baby first and then work your way to L&D.

crissrn27, RN · Jan 26, 2008

I was just replying to another thread like this, and I told her to keep applying and really play up your hospital experience as a LPN. Around here (and I am in the south) they like at least 1 year hospital experience and don't really care if it is as a LPN or RN.

Good luck!

GRAD0507 · Jan 26, 2008

Julie, another suggestion is ... are there any freestanding birth centers where you live? Most patients that go to these facilities to have their babies are low risk so get to see what the norm looks like and any experience you could get there would help. I totally agree with the fact that hospitals are a little "silly" with the fact that they want you to have experience but no one is very willing to give the experience so how in the world do you get it??

Chloe'sinNYNow · Jan 26, 2008

Hiya Julie,

as Malga stated, request a position on ante or post partum to get on the unit. They seem to be offered most. And in my experience they are where most units want you to work for 9 mos - a year while gaining valuable certification in various courses (FHM, EKG, NRP, ACLS...)

This is the course I am taking. I'm excited and scared all at the same time. I am relocating to take my dream job. It's there for you too. I'm also an new grad RN. I tried to convince myself that Oncology/Heme was a fit b/c it's all that was offered at the crazy time I graduated. But I looked waaaaaaaaaaay beyond my zip code.

PM me if you have any questions. I am crazy busy after driving Ga-NY-Ga to pack and move back to NY for my new job (um, I mean career! LOL ) But I will share all I have and know and have learned the hard way to get here!

Congrats on being a new grad and good luck w/ any decision you make!

Hugs,

Chloe

:nurse:

RN-BSN, BA

jhhrn68 · Jan 28, 2008

I worked for one year on the skilled nursing unit in the hospital. Then I saw an opening on OB and applied. It was for part-time and that was what i wanted. I had absolutely no experience but the director was willing to give me a chance. They trained me for about 6 months. If you could afford to work part-time, this might be the way to go. then when full-time becomes available, you will be in a good position to get it.

JulieRN07 · Jan 30, 2008

Thank you all for your advice!

I have a job offer for a med/surg postion in a hospital that has a family birthplace upstairs, and a job offer for phone triage in a OB/GYN office. Should I consiter one of these?

Chloe'sinNYNow · Jan 30, 2008

Hmmm, can you take the med/surg for skills and float upstairs ?

Do you have the advantage of taking your time, or do you need to be earning right away?

Is the phone triage full time or could you do it for PT/OT?

Is the phone triage bedside at all and would you get your enjoyment fr just being phone-side?

These are the first questions off the top of my head I'd ask myself.

Chloe

vernix · Feb 5, 2008

Hi Julie,

The advice that has been given is spot on. The many years ago that I was in your shoes are not forgotten. I hope you took the phone triage offer. Triage is not easy for the novice OB RN, HOWEVER, it is experience in the field and the fact that you were offered the position is a "baby" step :) for you.

Consider making a 15 minute appt. with the hiring manager of the unit you want to work on to discuss the training process, what she looks for in an applicant, ask to job shadow so you can gain information about labor and delivery and attached units (ante/post). Come dressed as if for a job interview--no jeans etc. This is important because first impressions DO last. Bring a notebook with questions and write down her answers. Please do not say "I've looked every where and they want experience... how do I get it if no one gives me a chance!" This reads as whiny and frustrated. Be there to show interest in her unit and what she has to say...you are there for information and facts about the process. After the appt. send a handwritten thank you for her time.

If you are nervous, role play your questions with a friend or someone you know who supervises in any capacity.

Many people want to work in only one area of the OB spectrum. Be willing to learn all of them. Any position that is related to L&D is important. The multiple skills will help you throughout your career.

Be willing to take any of the positions ante, post, nursery, lactation, OB clinic etc. There may be times later in your career where you need to work in these areas. (Life outside of work happens..) The initial shift work and hours can be difficult but there will be openings, hiring from within is standard.

If you have an opportunity to work med/surg for a year or more this is also very valuable. Try to be patient as you learn these skills. The seasoned med/surg RN is a piece of gold; learn as much as possible from these professionals. Mothers come to us with many psycho-social and health issues....cardiac, diabetes, gallbladder,renal, obesity, addiction, homelessness, incarceration, psych disorders the list goes on...

How did I get started in L&D? Pretty much the above. When I went to talk to the Birth Place MGR I was working in the hosp. on the tele unit (I cried at least once a week and it wasn't for joy). Unknown to me they were expanding..I walked away with a position in postpartum...nights. At this hosp you worked a min. of 1 yr.postpartum before being interviewed for a POSSIBLE ante/L&D slot. The most junior RN had worked in L&D for 5 years already. In my head I joked the only way to get to L&D was for someone to die or retire (it was actually true :).

Somehow, 18 years in OB flew by and because of life outside of my career... I'm jr. on the seniority list...working rotating shifts in L&D at a large hosp. :)

And so it goes....

Every blessing on your journey...it's worth it.

Take Care,

Vernix