NRP Question

IT may or may not help since you don't actually have any accompanying experience. It would probably show that you are motivated. If you wait until you have a job not only will you probably not have to pay approximately $200 for the class you should be paid to attend. Just something to think about. I would also consider doing ACLS. Sometimes those mommies can get very sick.

Good luck with the job search.

It can't hurt IF you can afford to pay for it yourself. Another point, is many of these classes may or may not be fully beneficial w/o any nursing experience.

It would vary by individual. I KNOW NRP and ACLS make a lot more sense to me as a nurse then they would have as a new grad.

But if you can afford the expense and time, it won't hurt you to get these. And be sure and look for a place amenable to hiring new grads----e.g. a place w/an OB residency program.

GOOD LUCK!

It can't hurt IF you can afford to pay for it yourself. Another point, is many of these classes may or may not be fully beneficial w/o any nursing experience.

It would vary by individual. I KNOW NRP and ACLS make a lot more sense to me as a nurse then they would have as a new grad.

But if you can afford the expense and time, it won't hurt you to get these. And be sure and look for a place amenable to hiring new grads----e.g. a place w/an OB residency program.

GOOD LUCK!

Just a note here, I took ACLS while I was in school (at the prodding of a friend who was going into ER after graduation). It isn't as easy to apply when your not in the 'field' just so you know.

Maybe a happy medium would be to order the NRP book, which comes with a CD ROM that is awesome. That way, you could study it indepth, but aren't putting out loads of money for the class.

Lori

Studentnurserachel...your drive for the knowledge should give you the "edge". I agree with ljds about getting the book and cd. I ordered one 2 years ago and it is very valuable to me as a ready reference.

You may also want to consider joining AWHONN. This organization has a catalog of resources that you can get to enhance your journey into Women's Health.

http://www.awhonn.org

Most hospitals are looking for L&D nurses and a few do hire and train new grads. You already show good initiative (which is how I got into it as a new grad).

I wish you the very best!

Thank you everyone for your advice. I think I will wait on the class and buy the book as a few people suggested. I think I will take an ACLS class before I graduate because it is only $20 through Continuing Ed at the local community college, I guess it can't hurt, right? Anyways, thanks for all the great advice and encouragement!

GOOD LUCK Rachel!

I will graduate next May and want, if possible, to start out immediately in L&D with an eye towards Midwifery in a couple years. I have looked into NRP classes and I am wondering whether or not it would be beneficial to have that certification in advance of getting a job in L&D (whether it would possibly raise me above some other applicants)? I am looking for every edge possible since I know L&D is always competitive and I will be starting out working as a nurse in a new state (which sucks, because I know I have a job in L&D here if I want it, but I have to move with my husband). Can you even do the NRP classes before you have a related job? Can anyone think of any certifications or classes I can take to help give me that edge? Thanks in advance.

The hospital will require you to have NRP, so they will pay for you to be trained if they hire you. However, knowledge is power! Before I got my first L&D paid position I spent $2000 in continuing education classes related to OB, Lactation, Mother-Baby, etc. I also volunteered 4 months full-time in L&D at the local military hospital (the American Red Cross will sponsor you to volunteer as an RN if you have your license). I considered it an extension of my education since internships and preceptorships in L&D were unavailable while I was in school, and when I graduated the hospitals had been laying off nurses for 2-3 years so they had no residencies for new grads. Showing initiative looks great to an employer.