Nursing Student Interested In L&D

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hello all, just had a quick question. I'm currently a Nursing Student, and the whole point of me wanting to become a nurse is to work in the Labor and Delivery or Nicu. I have four children, 1 of which was in the Nicu and I have wanted to work there ever since. My question to my fellow nursing posters(lol) is how do I get experience in labor and delivery after clinicals? Alot of the hospitals say 2 years experience....I don't get it. How are you supposed to get experience if no one will hire you without it? Thanks!

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Specializes in LTC, Psych, M/S.

Yeah that is the problem facing alot of nsg students currently.....all the hospitals want experience and do not want to invest in training new grads.

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Specializes in ED, MICU/TICU, NICU, PICU, LTAC.

It depends on the facility, sometimes. Some places want you to have a year or two of med-surg experience, work on your assessment skills, etc; and some like to train you from the get-go on your specific specialty. I'd make your instructors aware of your interest, and see what guidance they can give. I was interested in CCU/ICU, PACU, and ED; while I did rotations in most other areas, I got to go to my areas of interest a few more times instead of being on the med-surg floor. My clinical instructor in my last year felt comfortable sending me by myself, but I'd previously proved myself under her supervision. And even if a job posting says "x years experience preferred," apply anyway - you never know if they may take you into consideration.

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Specializes in labor & delivery.

In my hospital, many of the L&D and NICU nurses started in our Postpartum area first. As a new grad myself, I am thankful they did not hire me right into L&D--it's very stressful!! I will be able to train for it when I finish my year in PP. I got into PP by applying to an opening. I was very fortunate, and I can't imagine working in any other area. I joined AWHONN just before graduation and put it on my resume. I believe it helped at the interview and I love having it for a resource. Good luck to you!!:)

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Specializes in Step Down.

My DREAM is Labor and Delivery/PP!! Thanks serenity -- I'm going to look into joining the association.

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In my hospital, many of the L&D and NICU nurses started in our Postpartum area first. As a new grad myself, I am thankful they did not hire me right into L&D--it's very stressful!! I will be able to train for it when I finish my year in PP. I got into PP by applying to an opening. I was very fortunate, and I can't imagine working in any other area. I joined AWHONN just before graduation and put it on my resume. I believe it helped at the interview and I love having it for a resource. Good luck to you!!:)

Thanks but i feel kind of stupid right now....what is AWHONN? Sorry! :-))

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Specializes in Utilization Review, OB GYN, NICU.

Association of Women's Health, Obstetric, and Neonatal Nurses.

I did NICU for 14 years. I was lucky to get into a facility that wanted to mold and shape a new grad. I was a member of NANN (National Association of Neonatal Nurses). Now, I have switched to PP. We also have high-risk antepartum pts. I am loving it. I mentioned AWHONN in my interview, (I asked something like: I like to keep up with current reasearch and practice. Is AWHONN the most popular organization for nurses in this area?). I am now a member and loving the journals.

Good luck!!

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As a senior nursing student, I am also starting to think about jobs after graduation and got into nursing because of my desire to work on a PP/L&D unit. I have definitely come across the barrier of seeing the dreaded "minimum 2 years experience" statement on many job postings. See if you can partake in any extra time on that floor. I was picked to be 1 of 10 students who were able to specify an area of interest in order to spend additional, individualized time on a floor or their choice. I was placed on the Mom/Baby unit and I loved it. The extra time is a nice addition to the resume too and I'm currently looking into volunteering a few hours on the Mom/Baby floor next semester as well. It's nice to hear that there are places that look at new grads and I'm trying to keep my head up by hoping that adding these extra things on my resume will show that I really am commited to wanting to be a part of this specialty.

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Specializes in ED.

Not all schools are the same, but in mine, our entire last quarter was spent in one unit. We pick our top three choices of units, and our school does their best to fulfill those wishes.

That small volume of experience was enough to get many of us hired directly into specialty units. Facilities / hiring managers are much more likely to hire you if they have seen the quality of your work, along with your interest.

If you get some clinical time in your chosen unit, *shine* while you are there. Make them love you. Make some contacts / network.

DC ED RN :)

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Thanks guys, all of this information will help me greatly. I'm thinking of getting my CNA while I'm an RN student that way I can get some experience in the healthcare field awhile, but I will check into getting more time in my chosen specialty. I think that sounds like a great idea. I want to work in L&D so badly!

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Specializes in Public Health.

oh gosh I have wanted to deliver babies since I was eight years old...hopefully I can break into this specialty shortly after nursing school.

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I don't know where you are from but in my area the easiest way to get "in" is to get a job as a tech in that unit. I am still a nursing student but I just got a job in our birth care center and they made it more than clear that they are investing time in me because they want to see if I would be a good nurse to hire when I graduate. When I did my clinical I just went to the Nurse managers office after I finished with class that day and let her know that I was passionate about Labor and Delivery. I made sure to do it after class was over but while I was still in my scrubs so it was easier to get the assistance of the unit clerks and nurses in connecting me with their manager. If you put your best foot forward at all times and can be assertive without being obnoxious they will talk to you. Anyways, I am not a nurse yet so take my advice for what it is. I really hope you reach that goal!! Good Luck!!! :yeah:

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