have been offered L&D but not sure if its ..

Jolie, BSN · Mar 30, 2009

This is the opposite of what we usually read: no med-surg vacancies, but openings in L&D.

Frankly, it raises a few red flags for me.

First off, I am a strong proponent of encouraging new grads to seek positions in the clinical area that interests them most. I don't believe that any one area of the hospital holds a monopoly on being "the" place to learn prioritization, organization, time management, etc. The first year of working as a new grad is hard, even if the patient population is fascinating. For that reason, I think it is best that a new grad try every means possible to get a job in his/her area of clinical preference.

As a rule, most hospitals have openings on med-surg units because they have the highest turn-over. Many staff nurses start there and move on to other clinical units such as ER, OR, ICU, L&D. These units tend to have less turnover than med-surg because the staff members there are working the clinical areas that they aspired to, and because the patient ratios are typically more favorable.

So it seems odd that a hospital has no med-surg openings, but is recruiting new grads for L&D. Why aren't those positions being filled by experienced staff? I can think of 3 explanations for that: The med-surg units are well staffed and well run, so no one wants to leave. or L&D is such a notoriously poorly-run unit that no one within the hospital is willing to work there. or The hospital administration and human resources do not support or allow staff members to change units once they are employed.

Only one of those explanations would be acceptable to me as a potential staff member.

I suggest you do a lot of investigating before you take a job there. Ask to shadow a nurse for a shift. Ask a lot of pointed questions about the adequacy of orientation, staffing, working conditions and employee satisfaction.

Good luck in making your decision.

erin01 · Mar 30, 2009

well i know its a sort of bad unit! My friend worked there for one year and they had no nurse manager. They have one now and are trying to do better. But i know they are extremely busy also. So you think i should not take a job on L& D unless its what i want? I believe in NYC there are not a lot of new grad positions. Which is why there is no opening on med - surg. ok thank you.

Sandwitch883RN · Mar 30, 2009

Just my opinion.....but if you have an 18 month old and are trying to decide between days and nights....I would choose days. Alot of my coworkers with young children choose to work nights while hubby is home with the baby at night. That way the baby is home with either parent most of the time. For me however I would rather work days and be home for supper, bath and bedtime. When you work nights someone has to be available to care for the baby during the day while you sleep so really you are either working at night or home during the day sleeping. That cuts down on time with baby and family. Also the first day off from night shift you are sleeping some so its not really a day off. My kids are older so either days or nights work fine for me....but my family preferes i'm home with them during the evening. Also...The poster above gave you great advice. Look before you leap and try to be as informed as possible. I've been an L&D nurse for almost 3 years since I graduated. It hasnt been easy but i've finally, after changing jobs several time have found a unit that I like. Hope everything works out well for you! Take care..:)

Elvish, BSN, DNP, RN, NP · Mar 30, 2009

It seems to me that Labor & Delivery is something you either love - or you don't. If you know you don't want it, your taking a job in OB/Gyn would be tantamount to someone who really wants to work L/D taking a job in med-surg.

I'm not discouraging you from working in L/D, but if you know it's not something you want, especially if you know that the unit is a bad one, you might want to think long and hard. Jolie's suggestion of asking to shadow is a good one.

You can switch between L/D and med-surg at most places after a certain length time, so it's not like you're 'stuck' with the specialty you pick as a new grad. I started out as a new grad in med-surg and now work mother/baby.

retiredlady · Mar 30, 2009

Take what you can get, you can always transfer to another part of the hospital in 6 months or whatever time the hospital says you can transfer and that would be easier. You never know you might just like it.

Jolie, BSN · Mar 30, 2009

It seems as though you will start with 2 strikes against you. You "know it's a bad unit" and you don't really want to work L&D.

I suspect that the 3rd strike will be a lousy orientation becaue of a lack of experienced nurses willing and able to precept a new grad.

I understand the desire to accept a job, given the lack of new grad positions. I'm not saying not to take it, but if you decide to, please go in fully aware of the potential pitfalls.

SmilingBluEyes · Mar 31, 2009

A "bad" L and D unit is no place for anyone to work, esp a new grad. Take my word for it. OB is one of the most legally-dangerous places to work anyplace. I would be asking myself why this unit is like this. Is staffing short? No viable management? NOT GOOD. Steer clear. This is no place to cut your teeth as a new graduate.

erin01 · Mar 31, 2009

well i know that its a very busy unit, and they have a new nurse manager. She told me that most of the time the nurses are so busy they work threw there lunch. She was very nice, and honest with me. I thought i didn't want l&D but i am open to learning anything i can. In a perfect world i work on a med/surg floor that was a great floor. But i think if i wait around for this its not gonna happen. I remember that while i was doing rotations i really like my nicu experience and have contemplated that since this interview. I really like the hospital and its a constant battle with myself. =( i mean i have no idea what it is untill i get there. =(