OB-GYN nurses must love their jobs!

Quickbeam, BSN, RN · Nov 18, 2008

I realize that 2 months seems like forever to you but do understand that many people look for the right job for far longer, often years. Soemtimes you might have to work at a job less than your ideal until the right one opens up. Try and take a longer view.

RNpandoraRN · Nov 18, 2008

I realize that 2 months seems like forever to you but do understand that many people look for the right job for far longer, often years. Soemtimes you might have to work at a job less than your ideal until the right one opens up. Try and take a longer view.

hehehe I currently am and have been already working at a job that is less than my ideal. And I've actually been looking for longer than 2 months (14 months to be exact)...it's just that I began exhaustively looking in the past two. :)

zahryia, LPN · Nov 18, 2008

First, Be careful what you ask for, you just might get it.

Second, what are you doing to make your resume competitive? Are you a member of AWHONN, have you considered becoming a doula or a breastfeeding counselor?

Third, please be patient. Two months is nothing. Keep looking, keep being persisent. Look at outpatient settings as well.

SmilingBluEyes · Nov 18, 2008

Hi there and welcome to our forum! You have received some great advice before me.

I had been trying to get into Childbirth Education for oh, 10years!!!! One would think with lots of experience as an L/D nurse, it would be less than difficult. Not so. I had to work to gain certification and make my desires well-known. The doctors' group in my hospital grew their practice to the point where childbirth classes became they wanted to offer to their own patients. Well, by the time the opportunity arose, I was ripe and ready for it and they knew how I wanted to do this. It took 11 years to realize this dream. Patience (and some earnest work) paid off. I also am a believer that there is a time and place for everything, and every dream. The timing was perfect and I gained a lot of experience and trust from the physicians, making my transition into teaching the classes very smooth and enjoyable. To have done this sooner, would have been much tougher as this group takes really good care of us!

My point is, you need to be patient and do what it takes to bring something to the table when you are looking. Like said before me, get some education and training that show you are serious about being an L/D nurse. Find a network of nurse contacts, so you have some information as to when openings come up. Be very flexible. Be willing to be on "casual" status, perhaps, until an FTE opens up. That is how a lot of people get into OB.

Just don't sit and lament; there is a lot you can do to open those doors.

Good luck.

edisongirl25 · Nov 18, 2008

I realize that 2 months seems like forever to you but do understand that many people look for the right job for far longer, often years. Soemtimes you might have to work at a job less than your ideal until the right one opens up. Try and take a longer view.

This is sooo true, I've been waiting for 18 months!!!! I've been doing med/surg while I wait, but I will be happier when I get to where my heart says I should be.

mitchsmom · Nov 19, 2008

Are you applying at those places anyway? I know on my unit, we are always looking for people, but sometimes it is officially posted and sometimes not (don't know why).

And yes, I DO love my job most of the time :)

jhhrn68 · Nov 21, 2008

We have no openings on our unit and haven't had any for some time. I work casual labor and am not getting many hours on OB and now cannot get a regular part-time job. So I pick up some hours on med-surg and rehab. I think there are just fewer maternity units. A lot of hospitals are shutting theirs down and those nurses have experience and are looking at other places. So there is a lot of competition for those OB jobs.