Odds of getting an OB job as a new grad?

fergus51 · Oct 1, 2004

It depends on your willingness to go to the job. Most larger cities offer internships for new grads in specialty areas nowadays. Are you able to relocate to get one of them? If you aren't, you will increase your chances of getting hired in your home hospital by doing rotations there while in school. I went straight into OB and never regretted it for a second. Sick adults are gross.

breastfeedingRN · Oct 1, 2004

i think it depends a lot on the nursing situation in your area. i am a new grad and got a job on a mother/baby floor and they are even letting me work 2 12s a week when I finish orientation.

if it is an option in your area, try to get an extern or tech position on an OB floor. i have some fellow students that went straight to L&D after graduated. she had worked as an extern there during the last 2 semesters of school and also volunteered in the nursery, etc.

good luck. it is possible!

RNmommy · Oct 1, 2004

I got an additional certification as a lactation educator prior to applying for my externship. I externed on mother/baby for a year before being offered a full time position (days) as a new grad. Our facility also accepts new grads on L&D but it can take years to get off nights. Good luck :)

riern · Oct 20, 2004

Most facilities do not accept new grad into speciality areas such as L&D but there are exceptions. I was lucky and got in right out of school many many years ago.

Good Luck to you.

paacollins · Oct 20, 2004

A friend of mine started in L and D as soon as she finished her ADN program (and passed her state boards of course). Most of the ads I see, however, want a year of experience before they will hire you for L and D but it really seems to depend on how badly they need someone.

I'm doing my pre-reqs for nursing school now and also starting a CNA program next month. I hope to start an accelerated BSN program in Jan of 06. I have a BS in computer information systems but we all know how scarce computer jobs are. I, too, want to do L and D or mother baby. I have been involved in three deliveries (once with a friend many years ago and, recently, with the birth of my two nephews). The experience of seeing a baby born is incomparable in my opinion. I've also had both of my girls via c-section and could see myself working in the OR maternity suite as well. I'm also consering getting my LCC certification. Anything to do with obstetrics is right up my alley.

If I get accepted into this particular program, all expenses will be paid by the hospital in exchange for signing a 3 year contract to work for them. It's a huge teaching hospital but, unfortunately, they no longer delivery babies. I plan to do my three years and then head on over to the neighboring hospital, where they do deliver babies. lol

Best of luck!

paacollins · Oct 20, 2004

A friend of mine started in L and D as soon as she finished her ADN program (and passed her state boards of course). Most of the ads I see, however, want a year of experience before they will hire you for L and D but it really seems to depend on how badly they need someone.

I'm doing my pre-reqs for nursing school now and also starting a CNA program next month. I hope to start an accelerated BSN program in Jan of 06. I have a BS in computer information systems but we all know how scarce computer jobs are. I, too, want to do L and D or mother baby. I have been involved in three deliveries (once with a friend many years ago and, recently, with the birth of my two nephews). The experience of seeing a baby born is incomparable in my opinion. I've also had both of my girls via c-section and could see myself working in the OR maternity suite as well. I'm also consering getting my LCC certification. Anything to do with obstetrics is right up my alley.

If I get accepted into this particular program, all expenses will be paid by the hospital in exchange for signing a 3 year contract to work for them. It's a huge teaching hospital but, unfortunately, they no longer deliver babies. I plan to do my three years and then head on over to the neighboring hospital, where they do deliver babies. lol

Best of luck!

Mermaid4 · Oct 22, 2004

These days in many places , pretty good, which is too bad in a way because you can really benefit from some background in other areas like med surg and the like...Wish you all you wish for, however, but don't discount experience. It is certainly the best teacher, in OB and everywhere else in nursing. The experience makes your liklihood for a job in OB much more attractive...