New Grad RN Need Career Advice, possibly Labor and Delivery Position?

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Specializes in med surg, telemetry, stroke.

Hey guys,

I need your help. I am an LVN who has been working med/surg tele for 3 l/2 years and just graduated with my RN in June 2009. I'm having a heck of a time finding a job in California. My floor has no openings except a casual position. I just got called for an interview for labor and delivery where I would go into a 16 week training program which is better than the six week preceptorship that my hospital usually gives on the med surg floors. But I'm not sure if labor and delivery is for me. I am 51 years old and med surg is wearing me out. Can any labor and delivery nurses give me some advice on if this is a good place for new grad and what a labor and delivery nurse is actually responsible for. I am nervous about having to deliver a baby if that's what they have to do. Please give me any information or advice. I really appreciate it. Thanks so much. I am so excited to be an RN. I have been in school for five years for this.

Sincerely,

Susan, LVN and RN (June 2009):yeah::icon_roll

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Specializes in Med/Surg.

I am not a l&d nurse but I know a few things they have to do...they monitor mother and baby during the pre labor/labor process. They do not deliver babies unless absolutely necessary. A nurse I followed for a day had been a l&d nurse for about 5 years and had just delivered her 1st baby the week before. It's basically only if the doctor don't make it in time. I would love to work in l&d unfortunately it is hard to get into :(

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Specializes in Med/Surg/Pedi/Tele.

I'm also not in l&d but that is my goal. You could work in the delivery room or be a post-partum nurse. I know my cousin did it for years and loved it. Sounds like an exciting and nervous opportunity for you. Can you job shadow before you decide?

Good luck and let us know how you make out.

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Specializes in med surg, telemetry, stroke.

Thanks guys for your thoughts and ideas. I'm really nervous about it since I have been doing med surg telemetry for 3 years as an LVN and it would be really diferent for me. But I'll go and find out about it. Jobs are scarce right now in California so you pretty much have to take what you can get. Who would have thought it would be hard to get a nursing job. The economy has hit us all I guess even nurses. Thanks again. I'll let you know what I decide or if they even want me.

Susan, RN 2009 in California

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