PHN wanting a Post Partum/Mother Baby RN position...is that even possible?

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Hi Nurse Beth,

I have been a Public Health Nurse for 5 years. I did Labor and Delivery as a New grad and lasted for 8 months. I originally went to nursing school to work in some aspect of maternal health nursing. I have since had a baby, had a challenging delivery (shoulder dystocia) and now have a big strong and healthy two year old.

And might I add, being a mom is the best job I ever had. I currently work with communicable diseases, but I have a desire to change my career and go into postpartum nursing with my newfound experience as a mother and gained confidence in my nursing skills over the years. However, I have applied various times to postpartum RN bedside positions and have not been invited to any interviews after 5 applications. I am starting to think, my PHN experience is now hindering my ability to go back to the hospital for any type of bedside nursing position. What can I do to be able to fulfill my dreams of transitioning to a postpartum RN/mother baby RN position? Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thank you.

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2 Answers

Specializes in Tele, ICU, Staff Development.

Dear Wants to Fulfill My Dream,

Congrats on your healthy little one, and yes, there's nothing to compare to motherhood ! ?

It is difficult to transition back to acute care once you've left, so just know it is going to take time, and strategy. You are neither a new grad nor an experienced maternal health nurse. But if you have the right attitude and determination to stick it out, you should succeed.

Here are some tips to help you fulfill your dream of transitioning to postpartum nursing:

Update Your Resume and Cover Letter. Your resume is not getting any bites, so revise it. Highlight your relevant skills and experiences, including your previous labor and delivery experience, even though it was a brief stint. 

In your cover letter, emphasize your passion for maternal healthcare nursing. Enumerate any continuing education and volunteer activities you've completed (see below) that demonstrate your commitment. Mention transferable soft skills, such as customer service.

Expand Your Network. People often learn of jobs from other people. Do everything you can to connect with nurses and professionals working in mother-baby  units. Contact any colleagues you can from five years ago. Ask for their help and let them know you're looking for a position. 

Attend nursing conferences, workshops, and events related to maternal health. Join your local Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN), attend their meetings, and attend their conference if able. Networking helps you discover opportunities and gain insights into the field.

Continuing Education. Take some online perinatal  nursing courses to enhance your knowledge and demonstrate your commitment to the field. Be familiar with Baby-friendly hospital initiatives. Being knowledgeable and current makes you a more attractive candidate and shows your commitment. Subscribe to AWHONN's journal, the Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic & Neonatal  Nursing to stay up-to-date.

Volunteer. This would be challenging for you, but if at all possible, it could lead to promising job contacts. You could try to volunteer as a baby-cuddler, although hospitals may shy away from having a nurse as a volunteer. It's just a thought, but it may help you spark an idea for something similar.

Seek Feedback. Since you haven't landed any interviews, consider seeking feedback from HR departments, nurse recruiters, or nurse managers who reviewed your applications. They may not respond, but you could get lucky and gain some helpful insights into areas where your application, resume, and cover letter could be strengthened. You have nothing to lose, and this is a good strategy to keep in mind after interviews as well.

Practice Interviewing. If you land an interview, then be well prepared to seal the deal. Prepare for interviews by practicing common nursing interview questions and preparing your own questions customized to the organization. Know the organization, its mission, and values. There are many good articles on interviewing here on site, and an extensive section on interviewing (what to say and what not to say!) in my book. Be ready to discuss how your experiences as a mother and a PHN have prepared you for a role in postpartum nursing.

Nurse managers look for a good fit and safe practitioners. Stress teamwork and patient safety.

Professional References. Ensure you have strong professional references who can vouch for your clinical skills and commitment to nursing.

Persistence and Patience. Keep applying and remain patient during your Job Search. Transitioning to a different nursing specialty can take time, but your determination and passion for maternal health will shine through.

Remember that while your PHN experience differs from bedside nursing, it has provided you with valuable skills and a unique perspective that are assets in postpartum nursing. Tailoring your approach and continuing to pursue your passion can help you achieve your goal of landing your dream job.

Best wishes, let us know when you land your job in postpartum!

Nurse Beth

 

Dear Nurse Beth,

Thank you so much for your response and all of your help. This gives me a map to guide me along this journey to going back to bedside to pursue my dream. I greatly appreciate your time, and thank you for all that you do answering questions on here for nurses who are lost on their journey in their careers. 

I look forward to updating you one day on my postpartum RN job :)

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