We hire nurse externs and "grow our own" labor and delivery nurses. They start either as students working as PCA or new graduates. They work under usually just one experienced nurse and gradually take on more responsibility until they are flying solo about 6 monthes after graduation. I think this option is available in bigger units. We deliver around 500-600 babies a month. Good luck to the girl who wants a day job. Most hospitals will start you on night and you get moved to day based on seniority as positions come available.