New grads in L&D?

RunBabyRN · Apr 3, 2014

Here in CA, it doesn't really happen, at least no where I've heard of. Postpartum sometimes hires people out of residency programs; I have an offer in postpartum after precepting there. As I plan to be a CNM, I'd love to get to L&D at some point, and hope to be floated there (often!). We'll see where the road takes me!

knufflebunny · Apr 3, 2014

I live in Los Angeles area and found a job 2 1/2 hours away in a very rural area in L&D. Got hired as a new grad. It is hard to find a hospital that will train a new grad. But doesn't hurt to try and apply. You definitely won't get hired if you don't submit a resume. Consider relocating and try to apply everywhere. I've actually seen some postings that said new grads will be considered, but they are far and few between. You just have to be persistent.

OBERrural · Apr 3, 2014

It's possible, but I personally would want experience in other areas first. I did one year of med-surg first and don't regret it one bit. You'll use the skills more than you think and your critical thinking skills will be much sharper.

diamond_girl, BSN, RN · Apr 3, 2014

I worked as a tech in L&D while in nursing school, and then was hired as a new grad RN. So it's possible :)

Calinurse4 · Apr 3, 2014

I live in California (Bay Area) and was hired into L&D as a new grad. The learning curve has been steep but I would never want to do any other type of nursing!

klone, MSN, RN · Apr 4, 2014

I was hired as a new grad into OB/L&D. Maternal health nursing is all I've ever done (in various forms). I know lots of hospitals that have new grad internship programs will place new nurses into all specialties, including L&D. When I worked for a university hospital, we usually had 3-4 new grad RNs hired every spring/summer.

bribreeze87 · Apr 4, 2014

This is encouraging to hear! Thank you! I would work in post partum to get my foot in the door. I like PP but it bores me. I love L&D! I like to think on my feet and love the rush of slow one minute and crazy the next. I understand it isnt all rainbows, however I like how everyday is different

klone, MSN, RN · Apr 4, 2014

I too found PP a bit boring. That was one of the reasons I left my last bedside position - we were all required to work 50-75% of our shifts in PP. If I could have just worked L&D, I would have been happy.

However, there is a lot you can learn by working in PP on a busy unit with regard to time management, assessment and how to be an effective teacher. So I would not totally write it off as merely just a stepping stone to L&D. Every role you have as a nurse can teach you valuable skills and knowledge. The good nurses recognize that and capitalize on it.

Nurse2b7337 · Apr 5, 2014

thanks everyone for your feedback. It's rely encouraging as this is the specialty that I am interested in working in.

OB-nurse2013, BSN, RN · Apr 9, 2014

I started in L&D as a new grad so it can happen. It is a rough entry into nursing in my opinion. Sometimes I think if I had started in a more general area it may have been better but honestly I don't know because L&D is such a unique area of nursing.

nwatson83 · Apr 13, 2014

I just got hired as a new grad in L&D I get to do a 12 week residency. I was told it was hard to get into L&D as a new grad, what helped me was doing my preceptorship for my leadership class with the clinical manager ;-)