How do I get started?

finallyRN · Oct 10, 2002

Satine27

I worked med-surg for 10 months then moved to our OB floor which is an LDRP. I worked postpartum for 5 months was trained to Labor after that. Since I started there 2 years ago they have hired new grads that they make work post partum for at least a year and then train them in Labor and delivery. It is possible to find that job. Take a class on Labor and Delivery or Post Partum care to prove to them that you are serious about learning. There are opportunties out there.

Good Luck in looking for the job you want.

SmilingBluEyes · Oct 10, 2002

I was hired into OB right out of nursing school. Thing is, you network and get to know the OB nurses and manager at the hospital you do clinicals in or where you want to work. Some hospitals (like mine) have internships for new grads. NO med-surg experience necessary, although helpful. I love what I do and it was my goal from the start to do just this. YES it can be done! Good luck to you! Ask around about internships! That is a start!

at your cervix · Oct 10, 2002

You may think about joining AWHONN so that you can recieve the montly publications and read up on OB/GYN subjects. Then, even though you don't have work expirience, you could show prospective employers that you are very eager to learn and you would have background in OB/GYN because you stay current on the journals. Someone had mentioned taking a class. AWHONN offers fetal heart monitoring classes, although. Many hospitals pay for their employees to take them, however, since you don't currently work in OB, you may have to pay for it yourself, and it may be pricey, but it may pay off in the end!! GOOD LUCK.

sherryrn76 · Oct 25, 2002

try applying to nursery or postpartum, then you'll get antepartum experience and can work into L&D. Also, once you're in the "loop", you can ask the L&D nurses on your shift if you can shadow them to learn L&D. Make yourself visible and get to know the L&D supervisor on your shift. Ask lots of questions about monitoring, disease processes in L&D and anything else you can think of. If you're in the loop, you will also know exactly when positions become available. Good luck. You can always move to NC and come work with us. Enthusiasm is always a plus!.....Sherry

Satine27 · Oct 25, 2002

Hi Everyone

Thanks for your encouragement! I 'm about to pull my hair out! The major hospitals in this part of NC want YEARS of med/surg experience before they will even consider me for the postpartum unit! I'm having a tough time trying to figure out what to do because I really didn't like working med/surg. Of course, I guess it might could have something to do with where I worked. I don't know.