New grad looking for advice

[kesRN]

Hey all-

I'm a new grad, just got licensed in MA this past July and started working in LTC at the end of August. My real goal is to work in L&D/Post-partum, do any of you experienced nurses have any advice on what steps I should take to get there? I know this dept is not an easy one to get into, it doesn't seem like positions open up very often, and I definitely plan on getting some good experience before trying to move into a specialty! Just wanted to get opinions from people with more experience!

Thanks! :)

[knufflebunny]

I got my L&D job a month I got licensed. I was lucky...but I worked for it!!! I applied to every single hospital in S. CA. Only 1 hospital called me back...and it is in the boonies! BUT it is LDRP (L&D, Recovery, Post Partum!!!) I learn EVERYTHING~! It was a no brainer. I moved my whole family. Anyway, here is my advice:

1. Apply EVERYWHERE!

2. Skip any job that says "1 year experience REQUIRED " and apply to ALL job that says "1 year experience PREFERRED" (The job I got said "preferred"

3. Be willing to relocate.

4. Apply to all new grad programs. They do come up. Call HR and find out when their programs start so that you are one of the first to apply. The sooner you apply, the more likely they will even see your resume. These programs get 1,000+ resumes.

5. Get the word out there! Let all your networks know you are licensed and see if someone can hook up an interview for you. (My mother in law hooked me up with her "Botox" lady and she was willing to train me! But then I got this job. It was going to be unpaid, but the training would have been worth it. I was very close to getting into aesthetics!)

6. Go on google maps, type in hospital. That's how I found and applied to almost every hospital in Southern CA.

7. Don't stop applying. I applied every single night. I have some friends that got lazy and barely applied anywhere and others that got discouraged and stopped.

8. Consider jobs outside the hospital. L&D might not be your first job...but if you get a job in another unit...it is a foot in the door and you can eventually transfer.

9. On facebook, "Like" the page "New Grad RN Jobs". It is a great resource.

I hope this helps! Search every night and get your resume in ASAP! Every job gets bombarded with resumes so it is important you are one of the first to apply. And don't get discouraged!!

[kesRN]

Thank you so much!! I really appreciate the feedback!

[kirsnikity]

In my facility we primarily hire from within the hospital. There are a lot of girls who have transfer requests into our department (L&D) at any given time. It helps your resume if you've already taken a few classes that are required (e.g. NRP and a basic fetal monitoring course, preferably from AWHONN). It might help to take a course on L&D or LDRP nursing as well.