New Graduate; HELP!

[kellycombs2]

I am going to be graduating from an associates integrated program in May 2014 and am from a rural area, so usually around here people hire new graduates in ER/ICU, anywhere basically! But I just want an honest opinion from people who know what they're talking about..

Mainly in clinical I've been in a med/surg & telemetry setting (Not for me at all). We only had 2 days of OB clinical, which I was so sad about because I LOVED being there. I looked forward to interacting with the new mothers and babies and was so interested in learning everything I possibly could. So my question, should I just jump straight into an OB/Newborn nursery position right out of school if offered to me? I don't want to jump the gun, a lot of people work in medsurg or somewhere else for a couple years before getting into OB positions but this is what I seem to be drawn really close to, and I'm afraid I'll end up being disappointed & that I'm being too eager.. Idk! I'm just confused! Advice please!

[APL&D]

When I graduated from nursing schools, almost 8 years ago, I decided to go work in med-surg to get basic nursing experience. And I did. I had an opportunity to work OB right out of nursing school, but did not take it. Then I had a really hard time getting into OB, because everyone around here wanted experience, and still do. I am desperately trying to get into L&D, and still have a hard time. If you have an opportunity and know you are going to love it, go for it. There are always going to be med-surg jobs, if you decide you made a mistake. It also depends on where you live, if you are willing to commute, relocate, all that stuff. I hope you will make the right choice for yourself. I know plenty of people who started in OB right away, and they are great nurses. Good luck to you.

[bristolrover]

I agree with the previous post.If you know that,s what you want GO FOR IT NOW.

[Barbie3026]

Hi.

I am a graduate nurse that will start in labor and delivery in February. I am excited and nervous. I know nurses who went straight to labor and delivery after graduating and they are fantastic nurses. It is a hard field of nursing to get into so if you have the opportunity, I would take it. Good luck!

[cassie77775]

My experience: I jumped right into mother/baby. I love it and don't regret it! But! I feel my skills are lacking. We rarely ever start Ivs(I've started 0 working this floor for 6 mths). Though I take

them out all the time. I also don't put catheters in. Now all this wouldn't be a huge issue if I felt like I accomplished this stuff in nursing school. We very rarely got the opportunity and so I've been a nurse for 6 mths and started 3 IVs in nursing school and that's it. Other than that, I've had no problem going into a specialized area. You will see everything in L&D and mother/baby. I've had patients with diabetes, heart disorders, genetic issues, sickle cell etc so I still see some complicated things.

[Katie71275]

I work L&D and started right after nursing school(grad May 2013) and I LOVE it. I get all my skills in(plenty of IV, catheters), and see many high risk pt. I think if you know that's your passion, go for it.

[RunBabyRN]

There's certainly no harm in applying for positions in the departments where you'd like to work! I say cast a wide net, and see what you get, but focus your efforts on L&D.

[TexasRN75]

If you know that L&D is where you want to work, then do it. I just became an RN. I passed up my chance to precept in OB during my last semester of nursing school because I thought I should get some more "general" nursing experience. I did the same thing with getting my first job. I took a job on a telemetry floor because, again, I thought I should get some more experience. I just started working there and I'm not happy. I know that I want to work in L&D. I went to nursing school to become a L&D nurse. So, my point is do what you WANT to do, not what you THINK you should do. Good luck!!