New Grad Jobs in Maternity

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Hi All...

Just a quick question...Do hospitals hire new grads on the maternity floor or do they usually require you to have some experience before you go on a specialized floor.

I loved my rotation on mother/baby and nursery, and I have wanted to do this since i started the nursing program, but now I am wondering if it is even possible.

Also, as a RN on a mother/baby & nursery floor, what is your cost like? I hear that they are sky high when you are an RN on this kind of floor.

Any insight will be helpful!!

Thanks

Suzanne:mad:

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Specializes in mother/baby.

Hi SMP,

I am starting a new grad job on a mother/baby unit this summer, so it can definitely be done! But, it depends on the hospital and the area. In my area, most hospitals that have large maternity populations do offer new grad positions in both L&D and mother/baby. There are often fewer positions available than there are on med/surg floors, but there are positions out there.

I think it helps your chances of getting one of the positions if you can find an externship while you're in school on a mother/baby floor, or if your school has a senior practicum where you choose a speciality, and you choose mother/baby.

Best of luck!

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Specializes in Community, OB, Nursery.

Some hospitals hire new grads, some don't. In my area, most do. Some units (esp L/D) want a year of nursing experience and some hire new grads. It just depends. A girl on my unit (mother/baby/high-risk antepartum) just left after a year to transfer to L/D. She got her year of experience in mother/baby and then switched. Either way, it can be done, it just depends on where you are!

Also, in mother/baby is not so high. All the companies I've looked at cost way more if you work L&D but not mother/baby. It's definitely a good idea, though.

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Specializes in L&D, PP, Nursery.

I graduated from nursing school 12 years ago and and was hired on a high risk L&D at a Level III trauma center. I've worked OB, L&D, Nursery ever since!. At my old hospital, 5 new grads were hired straight from nursing school into L&D, they were oriented to everything! However, my current employer won't even consider it (Level II). It totally depends on the facility. If you are persistant and enthusiatic (check frequently with the NM about openings) you may be considered without med-surg experience. I'll admit, at least a year of med-surg would be very, very helpful. Even now I wish I had more of a background when some higher risk patients come in. However, there's almost someone with the background that can help you. Good Luck!

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I am curious if anyone knows if it easy to get hired as a new grad in l&D in San Antonio?

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Specializes in L&D.

It depends on where you live. None of the hospitals where I live will hire a new grad in OB.

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I started as a new grad last year in Labor/Postpartum. I started off in Postpartum (I am glad) to learn the lay of the land, and to build up my skills. 4-5 months after I started when I was comfortable with postpartum then they started my labor training. They hired 4 new grads last year. Our unit is the biggest in the hospital and we average around 150 births a month.

I am glad I went right into the position that I always wanted. I am not a young graduate a mom of 3, so having 3 births and breastfeeding 3 babies really did help when it came to the education part of the job. I love teaching so it was nice to have something that you already felt comfortable with as a new grad.

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Specializes in ante/postpartum, baby RN.
Hi All...

Just a quick question...Do hospitals hire new grads on the maternity floor or do they usually require you to have some experience before you go on a specialized floor.

We have L&D and NICU internships and antepartum, postpartum, nursery preceptorships for new grads. I started working on a postpartum unit after graduation.

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I was wondering about this in my area. Thanks for posting

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Specializes in L&D,Wound Care, SNC.

I went straight into L&D after I graduated nursing school. I worked in NC before I moved overseas. The manger hired 4 new grads that year.

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Specializes in Obstetrics, M/S, Family medicine.

I am also trying to get a new grad job in labor and delivery (or at least postpartum/nursery), and I have been doing all that I can to how the hospitals taht I apply to that I am serious about working in labor and delivery. I have become Certified in Basic Fetal Heart Monitoring (AWHONN has an online course for $70) and I am becoming a doula (I may not get much experience at this, bc I will be busy with nursing school, but at least it will get me some experience with the labor process.

Like someone mentioned earlier, intern/externships are the best way to get your foot in the door with a hospital.

good luck and keep us in the loop!

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Specializes in OB, Cardiac.

I am a new grad & just started on a mother/baby/low risk ante floor. They hired 7 new grads. First, I'll be trained on pp & nursery then, in 6mos, they'll train me on low-risk ante. After a yr, if a spot is available, I can go to L &D. Our hospital policy is 1 yr in pp first. Down the street from us, another hospital will take new grads into l &d....but they're not trauma I so don't get the high-risk ante that we do. Personally, I like starting on pp first. It just hit me how scared outta my mind I am about going on my own!

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